RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Under the Tuscan Sun
Under the Tuscan Sun

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
62 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:141

Fresh:87

Rotten:54

Average Rating:6.2/10

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

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for sexual content and language

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Sep 26, 2003 Wide

Box Office: $43,452,354

Synopsis: Who hasn't dreamed at least once of running off to a foreign country and starting a new life? That's exactly what Frances (Diane Lane) does in UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, directed by Audrey Wells... Who hasn't dreamed at least once of running off to a foreign country and starting a new life? That's exactly what Frances (Diane Lane) does in UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, directed by Audrey Wells (GUINEVERE). Traveling in Tuscany after a heart-wrenching divorce, Frances surprises herself by making an offer on a rundown villa--the biggest impulse purchase of her life. With the help of a warmhearted, smitten real estate agent and a local contractor with a team of Polish workers, her 300-year-old house is slowly transformed into a home. Along the way, she encounters a larger-than-life British ex-patriot, kind and generous neighbors, and a charming Italian man or two. Essentially, the film is an affirmation that good things can happen if one lets them--and that sometimes what seems like a terrible mistake or a crazy idea is a really a blessing. Lane is completely engaging as Frances, second-guessing her speedy purchase, looking for love, and rediscovering herself. Based on the book by Frances Mayes, the film was shot on location in Rome, Florence, Positano, and Cortona in Italy. The breathtaking scenery is sure to have viewers saving their pennies for next year's vacation--or their Tuscan dream house. [More]

Starring: Diane Lane, Lindsay Duncan, Sandra Oh, Raoul Bova

Starring: Diane Lane, Lindsay Duncan, Sandra Oh, Raoul Bova, Vincent Riotta

Director: Audrey Wells

Director: Audrey Wells
Screenwriter: Audrey Wells
Producer: Tom Sternberg, Audrey Wells
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Feb 3, 2004

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Under The Tuscan Sun
  • From the studio that brought you SWEET HOME ALABAMA comes the extraordinary romantic comedy starring Academy Award(R) nominee Diane Lane (2002 Best Actress, UNFAITHFUL). Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Lane) to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift -- 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local color, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home -- and her belief in second chances.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Under the Tuscan Sun

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    Filled with realistic and sometimes quite witty dialogue, and Diane Lane is right there for every scene.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    09/29/03
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    Despite its overly pat plot and a glaring lack of conflict, Lane pretty much saves the movie.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Bill Muller
    Bill Muller
    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Has about as much in common with Frances Mayes as it does with Willie Mays, but it does have the marvelous Diane Lane.

    Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
    09/27/03
    Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
    Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    10/01/03
    Marrit Ingman
    Marrit Ingman
    Austin Chronicle

    Lane's winning, beautifully measured performance effortlessly steals our affection and grounds the film's contrivances along the way.

    Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
    10/09/03
    Christopher Smith
    Christopher Smith
    Bangor Daily News (Maine)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
    03/19/04
    Neil Smith
    Neil Smith
    BBC

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Blunt Review | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    Emily Blunt
    Emily Blunt
    Blunt Review

    Plays as a warmly soothing yuppie-makeover daydream, and it goes down like limoncello -- sweet, not very good for you, but irresistible just the same.

    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    09/26/03
    Ty Burr
    Ty Burr
    Boston Globe
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    09/28/03
    Boston Phoenix

    [The actors] strike most every note with a resonance that -- of course -- carries through to the heart.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    09/26/03
    Kim Williamson
    Kim Williamson
    Boxoffice Magazine

    Diane Lane was terrific.

    Full Review Source: Broomfield Enterprise | comment Comment
    11/02/03
    Dan Marcucci and Nancy Serougi
    Dan Marcucci and Nancy Serougi
    Broomfield Enterprise

    There’s really nothing new “Under The Tuscan Sun.”

    Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Rob Thomas
    Rob Thomas
    Capital Times (Madison, WI)

    What redeems the film is its successful escapism, and Lane's performance.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    09/26/03
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    If the screen version of Under the Tuscan Sun doesn't make your mouth water or inspire you to price out flights to Italy, what's the point?

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Mark Caro
    Mark Caro
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Lane does a superb job. Kudos also go to director Wells for delivering a delightful, clever script.

    Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Lisa Leigh Connors
    Lisa Leigh Connors
    Christian Science Monitor
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
    04/29/09
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Cinema Crazed

    Desmoronando a partir da metade da projeção, o filme se beneficia apenas da sedutora performance de Lane, da bela fotografia e das maravilhosas locações.

    comment Comment
    03/13/04
    Pablo Villaca
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena

    A bathetic, sappy piece of drivel devoid of drama.

    Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
    09/15/03
    Jules Brenner
    Jules Brenner
    Cinema Signals

    The lesson? No matter what you think, you will never be happy without a hunk.

    Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Dan Fazio
    Dan Fazio
    Citysearch

    This beautifully crafted film is about saying yes -- and continuing to say yes -- to new experiences, despite the chances for failure.

    Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
    Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
    CNN.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for Under the Tuscan Sun

    July 28, 2005: RT Critical Consensus: "Sky High" Soars, "Stealth" Crashes, and Diane Lane and John Cusack Go Dateless
    The willing suspension of disbelief is often essential to the moviegoing experience. This week's wide releases provide no such relief. We will be asked to believe that a fighter... More...

    March 11, 2005: Audrey Wells to do Some Rearranging Over at Touchstone
    More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
    75% 75% Julie & Julia
    32% 32% Terminator Salvation

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    78% 78% The Hangover
    49% 49% Taking Woodstock
    26% 26% The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
    47% 47% The Girl From Monaco

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Sherlock Holmes

    Sherlock Holmes

    New clips from the detective reboot!

    Alice in Wonderland

    Alice in Wonderland

    Check out the brand new trailer now!

    Awards Tour

    Awards Tour

    Keep up with latest nominations and awards!

    Friday Harvest

    Friday Harvest

    This week's best pics, vids, and posters!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
    19
    • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
    32
    • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
    28
    • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
    9
    • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
    4
    • Trailer Bulletin: Robin Hood Source: ComingSoon.net
    61
    • Mel Gibson Plans a Mexican Vacation Source: Variety
    8
    • New Iron Man 2 Clue Posted Source: Screen Rant
    26
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Critics Consensus: Avatar Is Certified Fresh
    184
    • Awards Tour 2009: Golden Globe Noms Here!
    145
    • Total Recall: James Cameron Movies
    88
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Girlpower Rules Again with Princess at #1
    70
    • Awards Tour 2009: Inglourious Basterds Lead Critics Choice Noms
    44
    • Awards Tour 2009: SAG Nominations Are In!
    39
    • Awards Tour 2009: Avatar Best Picture at NYFCO!
    38
    • Awards Tour 2009: The Hurt Locker Dominates Boston Society of Film Critics
    18
    • Weekly Ketchup: Bryan Singer Teaches X-Men: First Class
    17
    • Awards Tour 2009: LAFCA: The Hurt Locker Tops List
    12
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    21
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    23
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
    • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
    29
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • Under the Tuscan Sun at Rotten Tomatoes
    • Under the Tuscan Sun at IGN
    • Under the Tuscan Sun at AskMen

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    MSN's Year in Review
    MSN's Year in Review External Link

    Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

    Moviefone's Year End Movie Poll
    Moviefone's Year End Movie Poll External Link

    What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

    Tarantino's Characters
    Tarantino's Characters External Link

    Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo

    IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


    By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
    IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.