You, Me & Tuscany Review
Russian poet Anna Akhmatova once said that Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life. In the case of You, Me & Tuscany, the new romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey, the dream feels more like a vivid case of déjà vu. Directed with a focus on aesthetics, the film is essentially a reimagining of While You Were Sleeping under the scorching Italian sun. While it’s undeniably easy on the eyes, the film ultimately struggles to find its own pulse.
Anna (Bailey) decides to stay at a stunning Italian villa that belongs to a man she had only had a brief dalliance with. But when it’s assumed Anna is his fiancée, she must maintain the ruse, only to find herself falling for his brother (Regé-Jean Page) amidst the Tuscan vineyards. However, it turns out that getting swept up in a massive case of mistaken identity might actually be the best thing that ever happened to her.
Bailey is, quite frankly, too cute for her own good. She possesses a natural, effortless allure that almost makes you forgive the clunky dialogue she’s forced to deliver. As Anna navigates the rolling hills and cobblestone streets, she is framed by gorgeous scenery. The film is drenched in colour, with saturated oranges, deep Mediterranean blues, and the dusty greens of olive groves. Complementing this visual feast is a soundtrack that feels like a curated playlist of 90s and 00s hits, injecting a much-needed sense of fun into the proceedings. It’s nostalgic, upbeat, and serves as a reminder of the era when rom-coms actually had identities. We even get a rendition of Mario’s ‘Let Me Love You’ from love interest Michael, played byPage.
Bailey and Page’s chemistry crackles with magnetism whenever they share the screen. Their shared heavy, lingering gazes suggest a much deeper, more interesting movie than the one we actually got. It’s pleasing to watch the sparks fly between these two leads. Unfortunately, once you look past the shimmering vistas and catchy tunes, the film’s foundation begins to crumble. The writing in You, Me & Tuscany is surprisingly weak, lacking confidence in its own narrative.
The most egregious example is the treatment of Bailey’s backstory. Early on, we are given a full voice-over narration that explains her history, her motivations, and her tragic loss of a real family. Yes, it’s a trope, and we accept it. However, the film then has her recount that exact same backstory, almost beat-for-beat, to her love interest in one of their first scenes together. The script falls into the trap of repeating lines and plot points as if they were profound callbacks, when in reality, they just feel like filler.
The story’s biggest identity crisis, however, is its over-reliance on its predecessors. At times, the movie feels less like a narrative and more like a high-budget exercise in spot-the-reference. While the leads are busy navigating a somewhat recycled plot, the supporting cast is directed to lean hard into the humour, often flourishing in the film’s funniest, most eccentric moments. Marco Calvani is a particular highlight as Anna’s taxi driver, who becomes completely obsessed with her predicament. The directorial notes for the family and the quirky locals were to dial the energy up to eleven. They operate as high-octane comic relief that keeps the plot engine running.
This focus on the funny comes at a slight cost to the film’s emotional depth. The side characters are brilliant at delivering sharp one-liners and physical comedy, but they rarely get to explore the emotional side. They feel more like a collection of delightful caricatures than a grounded support system.
You, Me & Tuscany is perfectly serviceable and very fun. But for those looking for a story with a soul, you’re better off just rewatching the 90s classic’s this film so desperately wants to be.
★★
You, Me & Tuscany releases in UK cinemas on April 10.
In cinemas April 10 / Starring Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Marco Calvani, Nia Vardalos, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo De Moor / Dir: Kat Coiro / Universal Pictures / 12A
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