Really Surprised!

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Under the Tuscan sun (2003), based on the book of the same title, is a sweet charming tale about love, sex, relationships, and other adult elements. Diane lane really shows her raw acting talent and shines as Francesca, and she interacts and works well with all her co-stars. Sandra Oh plays a great character here too, she is a great best friend to Lane, and is dramatic and funny at the same time. I also love the way they treated her as a lesbian, they didn't stereotype her to be a certain way just because she is a lesbian, she was just a normal character, which is refreshing to see. The script is well written and well thought out. The one sexual scene is filmed beautifully and is acted beautifully too by the two actors involved in it. It was not overly sexual or over the top raunchy, it was so elegant and romantic, and well lit as well. Marcello is good here too, his character is necessary to the movie overall, and he was well casted, the actor that played him is sexy, romantic, and charming, just how he needed to be. 9/10 overall, a very entertaining and well made film to enjoy.

I believe every movie that resonates with me has its own perfect place in my life. This is a down-in-the-mouth, pick-me-up favorite of mine. I find it perfectly comforting on those ho-hum / woe-is-me days when I could really use a hug or a drink or both. I have to report that I have watched this movie at least twenty times, both alone and with friends (misery loves company). I have even gone to the extreme of having the same food and wine as shown in the movie ready to partake when I /we get to the scene (which really makes it fun by the way). The big news here is that no matter how bad I feel when I hit the play button, I always feel much better by the time credits roll at the end… Always!What I love most about the movie (spoiler alert) is the wistful yet posthumous advice Frances (Diane Lane) is constantly given from Federico Fellini (the late great movie director). He sends his advice through his medium, a classic blonde beauty (seriously classic) named Katherine (played by Lindsay Duncan), who claims to have been il Maestro's muse. Aside from the amazing cinematography that will make you want to purchase a one way ticket to Tuscany, the lovely and captivating acting, and the fun, move- your-body soundtrack, it is the foodie scene that may really capture your heart, it captured mine. I can make all of the dishes in the big foodie scene at this point, and I share this with great pride. LolWhen compared to the rainy-day, page-turner by Audrey Wells, well I should say, there is no comparison to the book really other than the location and the title. This story has lovely merit all its own. If you try to compare it to the book, as so many have, you will not find the same story. I have enjoyed both the book and the movie. In my mind they are Audrey Wells' fraternal twins and I love the both!

Under the Tuscan Sun's storyline was a beautiful account of a young woman moving on to new adventures and an unexpected lifestyle in the gorgeous countryside of Italy. Diane Lane did a wonderful job bringing this character to life on the big screen and her portrayal of the endearing main character was a thorough joy. Slapstick comedy during the renovations to the old villa and the endearing characteristics of the Italian people were wonderful additions and the romantic element was enough to make your soul sigh. The scenery in this movie grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go and was the impetus for my husband and I to set off on our own adventures to discover those picturesque Etruscan towns perched high on the hillsides of Tuscany. Thanks to this movie the streets and people of Cortona now feature on the pages of my own novel "Silken Images" under my pen name Jennifer Larmar. Like Frances Mayer, my heart was captivated by this fascinating little town with stories of its residents still resounding in my spirit years later. A thoroughly enjoyable movie, perfect for a rainy day snuggled under the covers with a good wine and hopefully the love of your life beside you.

I've been using for a while a rating system that considers a "Watchability Factor", Acting and plot... The rating system goes from 1 to 10, with 5 points given to the "watchability factor", 2 for the acting and 3 for the plot.The scoring works as follows:Watchability Factor 5 - Spectacular! Worth watching over and over again4 - Outstanding… will watch several times 3 - Really good movie… will watch more than once 2 - Good movie… may watch more than once 1 - OK movie... but once is enough.Acting 2 - spectacular, Oscar worthy 1 - Really good, enhanced the plot0 - movie wasn't about the actingPlot 3 - Spectacular, nothing else like it in the genre, nominated for Best Picture (Oscars) 2 - Makes you think well after, unique 1 - Interesting idea / story 0 - Run of the millUnder the Tuscan Sun??? Three points for "watchability", one for acting and zero for plot... for a total of 4 out of ten. Just your typical feel good story...