There’s nothing subtle about movie’s appeal: bright sunshine, beautiful people and food shots designed to make audiences hungry
The Snapshot: Sun-drenched villas, slow-motion plates of pasta and an easy chemistry between Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page power You, Me & Tuscany, a romantic comedy that knows exactly what it is.
You, Me & Tuscany
7 out of 10
PG, 1hr 45mins. Romance Comedy.
Directed by Kat Coiro.
Starring Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Lorenzo de Moor and Isabella Ferrari.
Bright summer sunshine, beautiful people, endless laughter and smiles – these are all the ingredients for a great romantic comedy set in the Italian countryside. And yes, there are lots of close, slow-motion shots of tantalizing Tuscan cuisine.
What more could you want from a winsome, breezy comedy like You, Me & Tuscany?
Sure, it’s shamelessly predictable (I correctly guessed the ending within the first half hour) but the film is so carefully and lovingly made it’s easy to overlook the simplicity.
And besides, that organic and simple attitude is exactly what defines the gorgeous Tuscan setting for this trip-turns-into-love story. Director Kat Coiro makes all the elements clear and fantastic so audiences can get swept away into the spirit of living your life authentically – much like its central character Anna.
Played by the warm and compelling Halle Bailey (best known for starring in 2023’s remake of The Little Mermaid), Anna is a wannabe chef who’s having trouble with her hustle lifestyle in New York City.
But after a chance encounter at a bar, she decides to crash uninvited at a stranger named Matteo’s villa in rural Italy. Thus begins the comedy of errors that leads her into a lie she can’t escape, and keeping her from pursuing Michael, the handsome local winemaker (Regé-Jean Page, of Bridgerton fame).
Read more here: Halle Bailey is a lavish Little Mermaid (2023 review)
The whole cast is terrific, and the duo of Bailey and Page as the leads are great together, amplifying the escapism. Their relationship is key to conveying the authenticity that’s generally hard to capture in the romance genre, but they play each moment with heartfelt honesty instead of cheap laughs, and it’s really effective.
Many of the big laughs come from the ensemble of Matteo’s extended family, all of whom have great personalities and one-liners. Special shout outs must go to Stefania Casini as Nonna Alessia and Marco Calvani as Lorenzo the taxi driver.
You, Me & Tuscany’s only fault is that its merits are all at face value. There’s no great surprise, catharsis or profound meaning beyond its message that truth and acceptance are the secrets to a genuinely fulfilling life.
That idea is effectively conveyed and realized, especially through the honesty of Bailey’s performance in Anna’s character arc. But the real treats of the movie are in its stylish presentation of Italy’s food, people, sunlight and stunning properties.
What was not a treat? The glaringly obvious and tacky product placement for Aperol Spritz, including a branded glass with the logo facing the camera. It’s horribly out of place in what’s otherwise a truly lovely motion picture.
It’s nice to see well-produced rom-coms back on the big screen. Anyone fantasizing of their delayed summer travel plans or anyone just looking for a great date night will love You, Me & Tuscany and it’s cruel love of making you desperately crave pasta.
Dining and Cooking