“You, Me & Tuscany,” directed by Kat Cairo, is less its own film and more a patchwork of other, better films that came before. Escape to an Italian villa? “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Only You.” A heated moment during an impromptu rain (or in this case, sprinkler) shower? “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” A mistaken engagement? “While You Were Sleeping.” It sews these fragments together capably yet the seams still show, making for a bit of a bumpy tapestry. Truthfully, that doesn’t really matter because this movie is charming as hell.
Anna (Halle Bailey) is living an admittedly small life in New York City, working as a professional housesitter after dropping out of culinary school and relying on her best friend Claire (Aziza Scott, a winning source of most of the film’s humor) for moral support. A chance encounter at a hotel bar with Mateo (Lorenzo de Moor) soon has her upending that life to follow a dream of living and working in Tuscany. Upon arriving, she befriends her driver, Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), and ultimately meets Michael (Regé-Jean Page), who happens to be Mateo’s brother. From there, Anna falls into an accidental engagement to Mateo (still in New York), immediately wins over his family (from whom he’s mildly estranged) and — oops — develops feelings for Michael.
That Michael and Anna are the only people of color and native English speakers in this town does not go unremarked upon — but only in conversation with each other (and briefly from Anna to Claire in a very funny text message written in the exact tone you’d use in sending said message to your best friend). However, it’s not where the story begins or ends. She’s an aspiring chef; he runs a vineyard; they’ve both suffered great losses — these character notes rise to the top. Page and Bailey don’t have much in the way of chemistry, which isn’t totally their fault. The film doesn’t ask us to think too deeply about anything that’s happening, so more heat isn’t even necessary or missed. Besides, every supporting character is bringing (wine) barrels full of warmth and familial playfulness.
Every scene and interaction is painted with extremely broad, gentle strokes; the movie’s most dramatic moment hinges on whether an annual dinner will get pulled together in time. When the truth comes out about the sham engagement, will the family love Anna anyway? (Without question.) Will she and Michael ultimately wind up together? (Almost certainly.) Is there an Italian grandmother with a steely gaze but a heart of gold? (Yes, of course.) These beats are comfortable and familiar, and while not given any sort of marked glow-up, they are effective.
This movie gets what it means to be a romantic comedy on a base level at the very least, which is more than I can say for several recent high-profile attempts. It’s funny in ways that real people are funny, and it’s glossy in a way that our brains sometimes need after digesting too much of the real world. No one is mean, at least not for very long, and we never think for a moment that either lead is better off alone. It’s a little surprising that “You, Me & Tuscany” wasn’t released direct to streaming, as that’s been the play for most rom-coms over the past near-decade. But seeing it in a theater was a little bit healing, even given its slight plot and familiar cadence. It was a pleasure to just board the plane and be in the company of all those beautiful people.
Johanna Lester is a pop culture critic who mainlines movies, TV and the best cookies Rochester has to offer. She’ll also hold that grudge on your behalf. Follow her @theauntjojo.
