THE PLOT THUS FAR
While on vacation, a just-divorced writer buys a villa in Tuscany on a whim, hoping it will be the start of a change for the better in her life.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
Frances is a writer in her mid-30s currently suffering writer’s block, but this is the lesser of her problems, as her husband suddenly decides to divorce her and as a result of legal issues, he keeps their house. Without a place to call home, Frances enters a state of depression, but her friend Patti has a solution. Since Patti has become pregnant, she and her partner offer Frances their tickets to Italy and convince her to take a holiday. While traveling through Tuscanny with the tour, Frances finds an abandoned villa for sale, and impulsively, she decides to buy it. “Under the Tuscan Sun” details Frances’ efforts to renovate the villa and her life at the same time, as well as her encounters with many interesting characters from the beautiful Italian region.
Pains are taken to impress upon us that Frances, the leading lady, doesn’t have much money after her loser husband takes half the house plus alimony. Well, fine, but when she goes to Italy she suddenly becomes independently wealthy, first buying a villa then employing three Polish workers full-time to restore the place. They were there the entire duration of the movie, which covered at least 8 or 9 months. Wardrobe? She arrived with one suitcase, but never wore the same thing twice after that.
The Blu-Ray comes with commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes and trailers. The 1080p transfer is damn near reference quality, as this film has become one of the opening Blu-Rays to get tested on the brand-new AndersonVision Theater. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio is strong, but it never gets many chances to shine. While the film is not my usual cup of tea, it still works. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
