‘You, Me & Tuscany’ is an Italian rom-com fantasy, empty carbs but delicious

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Anna (Halle Bailey) has a habit of getting a little too comfortable when she’s in other people’s houses. This often causes problems when she house-sits, but it actually sets the stage for a lucky romantic encounter on a last-minute trip to Italy – so maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all?

Anna’s life took an unexpected turn when she playfully wore her wealthy client’s clothes while walking the dog, leading to her getting fired. This unexpected turn of events allowed her to meet Matteo, a charming Italian man, and sparked the adventure at the heart of the film “You, Me & Tuscany,” directed by Kat Coiro and written by Ryan and Kristin Engle. Ultimately, the story suggests that embracing spontaneity can lead to amazing opportunities – Anna gets to live out her dream of experiencing Tuscany.

The idea of escaping to Italy and finding romance with a charming local, often involving lots of pasta, is a popular fantasy, especially for American women. We’ve seen it in movies like “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Eat Pray Love,” and “You, Me & Tuscany” draws on that same theme. The film also shares similarities with “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” featuring large, lively families eager to celebrate a wedding.

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The star of ‘You, Me & Tuscany’ has a busy day planned, including a sunset hike, dinner at Lucia featuring Caribbean cuisine, and a live performance at the Blue Note.

Anna’s life is a bit directionless after dropping out of culinary school and dealing with the loss of her chef mother. Everything changes when she meets Matteo at a hotel bar. He captivates her with tales of his beautiful Tuscan home and a vacant villa he’s inherited, having escaped the pressures of his family. Seeing this as fate, Anna impulsively books a flight to Italy. When she arrives, and with no other options, she starts staying in Matteo’s villa while he’s traveling in the United States, completely unaware of her presence.

Anna finds a diamond ring and, shortly after, Matteo’s family unexpectedly arrives. They quickly jump to conclusions and Anna doesn’t correct them, allowing Matteo’s mother to imagine a romantic future. Things become even more complicated when Anna meets Matteo’s handsome cousin and adopted brother, Michael, who is a winemaker. Meanwhile, the family’s restaurant is facing difficulties and could benefit from Anna’s passion and skills as a chef specializing in Italian food.

“You, Me & Tuscany” relies heavily on familiar romance clichés – like fake relationships, enemies-to-lovers storylines, and complicated family connections. It’s a busy movie, feeling like a typical Hallmark production with a bit more money for location shooting. However, despite being a somewhat over-the-top and idealized Italian getaway, it’s surprisingly enjoyable, even with its abundance of slow-motion food shots reminiscent of old commercials.

Anna often feels torn between two opposing voices: her sensible best friend Claire, who urges her to be practical, and Lorenzo, a charming taxi driver who encourages her more impulsive side. They both comment on the wild events unfolding in Anna’s life, almost like a comedic chorus, but ultimately, Anna needs to follow her own path, even if it’s unconventional.

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Page is a naturally charming and attractive romantic lead – he excels at the role effortlessly. He even surprisingly delivers a convincing a cappella rendition of Mario’s R&B hit “Let Me Love You” without it feeling awkward.

Bailey has a wide-eyed clueless cuteness that lends to her character’s well-meaning naiveté — even her missteps have a way of working out. She brings a sort of Disney princess innocence and pluck to Anna, which makes sense considering she played Ariel in the live-action “The Little Mermaid.”

Okay, so while Sydney Sweeney is amazing, sometimes Bailey’s character feels a little…much. She’s hilarious, but when things get serious, it doesn’t quite land as well. Luckily, the director is smart about it, breaking up those big emotional scenes with funny moments so they don’t feel drawn out. What I really loved, though, is that even with all the crazy stuff happening, the show feels real. Anna and Michael connecting over losing their parents hit me hard, and the rivalry between the brothers felt totally genuine. Even though everything is over-the-top, the characters still make choices that feel like something a real person would do, even if it’s dialed up a bit.

What I really loved about “You, Me & Tuscany” is how aware it is of itself. It’s totally escapist and over-the-top, but in a way that it wants you to know it is. And honestly, that makes it even more fun! So, if you’re looking for a little slice of the good life – a bit of dolce vita – just go for it and enjoy!

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

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2026-04-12 21:17