Under the Tuscan Sun

Destiny is something that most of us believe in but don't admit to it openly, here they take the concept and turn it into a life learning story. This movie is loosely based on Frances Mayes's book Under the Tuscan Sun and is completely enjoyable from beginning to end. Growing up in an Italian family, I saw a lot of things in the movie that my family does to this very day, and that alone was enough to show how traditions are handed down from generation to generation. The scenery that is used throughout the movie is stunning; it's like watching postcards of the Italian countryside come to life. After her divorce Frances goes to Italy for a vacation, and while there she buys a villa and begins to put her life back together. The story moves right along and doesn't get held up with any of the obvious traps that you would expect from a movie like this. None of the situations seem out of place in this film, even the clash of modern society with that of the old world are easy to except and are completely believable. When the decrepit villa is finally transformed, you realize, along with the main character, that the life lessons that were being taught all come from hard work and perseverance. Diane Lane is superb in the lead role and plays the character to the point that makes you feel for her every time something goes wrong, which is quite often.
This definitely is one of those movies that most guys would steer clear of, but if you ever want to sit down and watch something with someone you love, this is a really good one to start with. After everything is said and done, this movie leaves you with the feeling that, there is always the possibility that something good is going to happen. Above everything else this movie proves the old saying with a little twist, "When life gives you lemons, you make limonita."