JEANNE’S REVIEW

YOU, ME & TUSCANY is a satisfactory romcom made more enjoyable by the overwhelming beauty of the Tuscan region of Italy. Directed by Kat Coiro with a screenplay by Ryan Engle, Halle Bailey stars as Anna, a professional house sitter in New York City who has just lost her most recent job.

With no place to live, Anna shows up at the hotel where her best friend, Claire (Aziza Scott), works. Unable to find her a room, Claire sends Anna to the bar where she meets Matteo (Lorenzo De Moor), an Italian from Tuscany who is traveling the world selling real estate. He mentions he has an uninhabited villa in Tuscany --- a place Anna had always intended to visit with her mother.

Unfortunately, her mother died before that could happen, and Anna, who always wanted to be a chef, consequently dropped out of culinary school. Unsure of what to do next with her life --- and much against Claire’s advice --- Anna hops on a plane to Italy, where she encounters a crazy cab driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who becomes her closest confidante.

It’s the well-known summer festival in the region, so not a hotel room to be had anywhere. Anna remembers that Matteo has an empty villa and ventures there. Finding the key, she lets herself in, only to be awakened in the morning by Matteo’s mother, Gabriella (Isabella Ferrari), and grandma, Nonna Alessia (Stefania Casini).

They assume Anna is Matteo’s fiancé after they recognize the large diamond on her left hand, which she found snooping in a drawer. Swept up in the misunderstanding, Anna meets the rest of the family, including Matteo’s “brother”, Michael (Regé-Jean Page), who runs the family’s vineyard.

Sparks fly between Anna and Michael, who believes that Anna is really engaged to his brother. When Matteo finally does show up, he and Anna agree to continue with the ruse. That is, until Matteo’s ex inserts herself, causing an explosion between Michael and Matteo.

The story for YOU, ME & TUSCANY came from Engle and his wife Kristin. It’s sweet and light, but also very predictable. Much of the humor comes from the supporting cast including Stella Pecollo, who plays Matteo’s sister Francesca, Lorenzo and a few others. And while Bailey and Page exude enough chemistry to make it interesting, their pairing isn’t as off the charts as one would expect.

Bailey is delightfully charming as Anna, and Page makes a believable vineyard owner, though at times, he seems bored with the process. He’s certainly very handsome --- especially shirtless --- and perhaps that’s part of the problem when he declares he’s unlucky in love.

But, no matter, YOU, ME & TUSCANY is a beautifully filmed romp in Tuscany by cinematographer Danny Ruhlmann, featuring luscious food prepared by an unnamed Michelin-level chef. It truly is worth a viewing, specifically for the stunning vistas of the Tuscan countryside.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!

DAVID’S REVIEW

It’s a good time of the year to go to the movies in search of a diversion from the chaos all around us. YOU, ME & TUSCANY is the perfect tonic for that purpose, somewhat of a crowd pleaser with a very good ensemble cast and a seasoned director.

Anna (Halle Bailey, also a six-time Grammy nominee) has always wanted to be a chef. Due to the death of her mother, she has lost her initiative in life. Until, that is, she meets an Italian in New York City named Matteo (Lorenzo De Moor). And soon she’s on a flight to Tuscany. Somewhat naively she fails to book a hotel room, but that’s the set-up. She remembers that Matteo has a vacant villa, so she finds it and lets herself in.

However, once her ploy is discovered by Matteo’s family, she resorts to the lie that she and their estranged son are engaged. This untruth forms the basis for the entire screenplay by Ryan Engle (who also is an executive producer and co-writer of the story with his wife Kristin).

Thanks to the aforementioned ensemble cast, we are willing to wait for all this subterfuge to play out. Complicating things is the presence of Michael (former Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page), the handsome adoptive son of Matteo’s family.

The family members include the matriarch, Gabriella (Isabella Ferrari), the father, Vincenzo (Paolo Sassanelli), the daughter Francesca (Stella Pecollo), and grandmother Nonna Alessia (Stefania Casini). Another key character is the local taxi driver Lorenzo (Marco Calvani) who takes a special interest in Anna, beginning with him driving her to the village where Matteo grew up. He is truly a jovial personality and lights up the screen. Pecollo’s enthusiasm and facial expressions are priceless. In fact, my favorite players are Lorenzo, Francesca and Nonna.

YOU, ME & TUSCANY is filled with beautiful scenery courtesy of Director of Photography Danny Ruhlmann. It’s also rife with delectable looking food as one might expect from a story filmed in Italy. One key scene is the “Barrel Race”, a traditional event called “Bravio Delle Botti” during the summer festival in the small town of San Conessa.

Expertly combining all the elements in YOU, ME & TUSCANY is director Kat Coiro. This film is wholesome fun for the whole family.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!