Under the Tuscan Sun

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Under the Tuscan Sun

PG-13

2003

1h 53m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

152 Reviews

78%

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50,000+ Ratings

When Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) learns her husband is cheating on her from a writer whom she gave a bad review, her life is turned upside down. In an attempt to bring her out of a deep depression, her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh), encourages Frances to take a tour of Italy. During the trip, the new divorcée impulsively decides to purchase a rural Tuscan villa and struggles to start her life anew amid colorful local characters, including the handsome Marcello (Raoul Bova).

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Critics Consensus

Though formulaic and superficial, Under the Tuscan Sun is redeemed by Lane's vibrant performance.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 29, 2010

4/5

Not much for teens in this book adaptation.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Dec 15, 2005

3/4

And while the movie gets a bit too cute and cloying at times, especially when it dips into tired sentimentality, Lane carries it all marvelously, lighting up the screen with one of the year's best performances.

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Rex Reed

Observer

Oct 16, 2003

The epitome of what a feel-good movie is supposed to be but rarely is, this one is beautiful to look at and life-affirming to think about, and it doesn't have a pretentious bone in its head.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 31, 2023

3/4

A warm and luminous film.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Jul 31, 2020

2.5/5

See it only for the spectacular scenery provided by the gorgeous geography of provincial Italy, and the ever-radiant beauty of Diane Lane.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 3, 2019

3.5/5

Despite its scripted flaws, Under the Tuscan Sun is the fairy tale that speaks to the hopeful romantic in us all.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

This is a very heart warming movie!

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R T

@RT58672233 Aug 29, 2026

This movie gives me warmth. People are too harsh when it comes about saying their opinion about this movie. What do you expect!? It’s a movie! Did life hurt you that much to criticize this movie for "being too unrealistic"? I saw a comment saying that "This is how Americans view Italy" leaving with the note with such a low star reviewing. Well, I’m not "American", and I truly felt inspired by its wonderful story and writing. I am a Colombian living in Canada, and I wish movies and shows were portraying Colombia as such. Colombia is such a gorgeous place but they decide to show the scars of that magnificent country; I wish "Americans" would show more movies of how beautiful a country could be. I understand, Italy is not just as it was shown, and there are always different shades of grey, also there are other sides within a country, but please, enjoy the movie!

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G L

@RT09869090 Aug 16, 2026

I only watched this bc of Diane Lane, if she wasn't in this movie, it'll be just another average love story.

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Jack G

@Gump.jack Feb 3, 2026

Real life isn't as smooth and safe as it is in the movie, but I really like the countryside of Tuscany, Italy, under the sunshine

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Sep 8, 2025

A well cast Diane Lane frolics around Italy - without a visa mind you - flirting with men clearly much younger than she in this breezy, albeit dated, adult drama. It's an easy watch for it's target audience.

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Salma Buitrago T

@RT98856187 Aug 8, 2025

This is actually one of my favorite movies, and it made me realize how much of a hopeless romantic i am! also love the scenery and the performance of the actress, it was perfect

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Audrey Wells

Director

Diane Lane

Frances Mayes

Sandra Oh

Patti

Lindsay Duncan

Katherine

Vincent Riotta

Martini

Raoul Bova

Marcello

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Synopsis

When Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) learns her husband is cheating on her from a writer whom she gave a bad review, her life is turned upside down. In an attempt to bring her out of a deep depression, her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh), encourages Frances to take a tour of Italy. During the trip, the new divorcée impulsively decides to purchase a rural Tuscan villa and struggles to start her life anew amid colorful local characters, including the handsome Marcello (Raoul Bova).

Director: Audrey Wells
Producer: Audrey Wells, Tom Sternberg
Screenwriter: Audrey Wells, Audrey Wells, Frances Mayes
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Blue Gardenia Productions, Timnick Films
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 26, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $43.6M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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