What do you get when you cross a down-on-her-luck American with a handsome Italian winemaker? A rom-com that’s filled with scenic vistas, enticing food and a lot of cliches.
“You, Me and Tuscany” tells the story of Anna, a New York City housesitter played charmingly by Halle Bailey. While Anna once dreamed of being a successful chef, after the recent death of her mother, she now merely hopes to find a gig watching an apartment with an in-unit washer/dryer.
One night out she meets Matteo, a successful Italian businessman who regales her with tales of his native Tuscany. Anna had planned to visit Italy with her mother, and Matteo, played by Lorenzo de Moor, encourages her to go even under the circumstances. The next day, Anna flies to Italy with high hopes and scant funds. When she can’t find a place to stay, she remembers Matteo mentioning his empty countryside villa. As she explores his home, she finds an engagement ring and slips it on.
The next day, Matteo’s mother and grandmother come to clean the villa. When they unexpectedly find Anna, they spot the ring and mistakenly conclude that she’s his fiancee. Though she initially plans to run away, Anna’s growing affection for Matteo’s quirky and welcoming family makes it harder and harder to leave. And her crush on Matteo’s cousin, Michael, played by Regé-Jean Page, isn’t helping, either. Anna’s sassy best friend from home (Aziza Scott) and a friendly Tuscan cab driver (Marco Calvani) become trusty confidants in her misadventures and add a bit of pizzazz.
Anna and Michael spend days gallivanting around the picturesque town, running through vineyard sprinklers, sampling wine and spending time with Matteo’s family. Anna even begins to fall in love with cooking again. Then, suddenly, Matteo returns. Will his arrival ruin everything, or will the plucky heroine have the courage to tell the truth and win over the family, all with hunky cousin by her side? Just take a guess.
This “While You Were Sleeping” style rom-com was directed by Kat Coiro and runs an hour and 45 minutes long. The film is rated PG-13 and contains profanity and sexual innuendo.
Maraist is a freelancer from Reston.
