2003
Cast- Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan
Frances finds out her husband is cheating and to cheer her up her two friends offer her a 10 day vacation in Tuscany traveling with a gay bus tour. Frances goes and falls in love with the house Bramosole which she impulsively buys and plans to restore, leaving her life in San Fransisco behind. She throws herself into the renovation, making friends as a way to heal her broken heart.
Why I love it – This is a story one woman’s heartbreak and the strength that led her to healing. I love Diane Lane, she can do little wrong in my eyes and this is one of my favorites. She shows Frances’s emotions in a way that we can all recognize. She was mad, hurt, sad, funny, endearing, and full of life.
Who hasn’t imagined (even just for a second) leaving everything behind to start over somewhere new? And what better place to do this but in Italy? I love the boldness of her decision, egged on by the exuberant Catherine who encouraged her growth at every turn. It was the eagerness to live the life she always imagined that had me rooting for her happy ending.
I saw this after it first came out and liked it, but after our 2008 trip to Italy I saw it again and fell in love. I don’t know if it was the beauty of the movie that took me back to the beauty of the country or if it was the few years of perspective that enabled me to see her choices as beautiful. Either way, the scenery is breathtaking.
Loved the cast surrounding Diane. Sandra Oh was perfect as her best friend and I loved Lindsay Duncan as Catherine and Vincent Riotta as the ever faithful Martini. This was a true adventure story full of possibility.
I would normally show a clip of the movie, but instead here are pictures from our trip that I posted back in 2008. Venice Florence Rome Parking in Rome (by far my most viewed older post) And if for some reason you want to scroll through my Italy posts as I was here you can do it here. Since my blog was only a few months old I used it as a way to keep all of my family and friends up to date with our daily schedule. It’s actually funny to go back and read it now (at least for me :))
Stacy's Books 
I’m glad the movie is good. I listened to the book on audio – it’s read by the author, and it is dull.
IMO they are not very much alike. It’ll be my next book vs movie post and it’s not even close!
Ha ha, I don’t think it takes the movie to make Tuscany beautiful! I didn’t see this movie though – I would be too jealous. It was always my dream to move to Italy and eat pasta all day….
I believe I mention that same dream to Jason every few months!
This is one of my favorite movie too and I have to agree with everything you said here.
Beautiful pics by the way, had fun seeing them.
I like this movie too.
Haven’t seen this one! Putting on Netflix right now! I love these types of movies. Don’t know why I haven’t seen it yet!
Diane Lane is awesome … and I always wonder why she doesn’t have a bigger career!
I like this movie and whenever I see it I stop and watch.
I adore this movie and own it!! I love to watch it a few times a year. You’re so right about Diane…she’s perfect!
I love this movie too! The characters and the screenplay were great but the setting was simply breathtaking. Love your pics from your trip! We went in 2006 during summer and Italy was magical (but very hot!).
Why haven’t I watched this movie yet? I enjoyed the book years ago.
I read this some years ago and really liked the idea of moving to Tuscany and renovating a huge house. The weather alone is attractive, as well as olive groves and interesting villagers. I haven’t seen the movie but I bet the scenery is spectacular.
This movie had me wanting to visit Tuscany. I was googling for days wishing I could go! The book was VERY different though!
I had a new appreciation for “Under The Tuscan Sun” after actually visiting Italy, too! In fact, when we were driving through Tuscany, my sister and I kept referencing the “creepy Italian trees” (I believe it’s Sandra Oh that says that!) and giggling. As we were on a tour bus ourselves, Kate and I kept whispering, “We’re gay. And. AWAY!” to each other. (We have no problem amusing ourselves, as you can probably see.)
I have this book on my shelf and never saw the movie. Adore Diane Lane though. Thanks for the reminder and I always love photo posts 🙂