YOU, ME & TUSCANY

US, 2026, 104 minutes, Colour.

Halle Bailey, Rege-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo De Moor, Stella Pecollo, Paolo Sassanelli, Stefania Corsini.

Directed by Kat Coiro.

A popular romantic comedy, what is often referred to as a “date night” movie, a lot of bloggers commenting on how it reminds them of a Hallmark romance, Hallmark transferred to the cinema screen. And they love it.

For some potential audiences, this might sound like a warning, even an alarm. Not another of those predictable romances, glossy and cheerful. For other potential audiences, and this film was very popular on its immediate release, it is an indication that this is a film not to be taken too seriously, an enjoyable night out, especially with friends.

The focus is on Anna, grieving the death of her mother, giving up on her cooking course, minding houses (and wearing the clothes of the unexpectedly returning owners), with an ambition to travel to Tuscany. She is played by Halle Bailey, who brought to life the live action version of The Little Mermaid. She chances to meet one of those surface-charming Italians who explains his empty mansion in Tuscany. Urged by her good friend Claire, off she goes to Italy, not a spare room in the town because of the annual celebration, and, with the help of a genial cab driver, goes to the Tuscany mansion, settles in, finds an engagement ring and puts it on (and, of course, can’t get it off), with the result that the family is absolutely delighted that their wandering son has become engaged, will come home, happy wedding, and happy ever after.

Well, of course not.

This is a film for audiences who delight in seeing the Tuscan countryside, the towns, the festivities, celebrations, kitchens and big meals, up there on the big screen. And the vineyards.

There is a cheerful atmosphere all the way through, even though Anna should reveal the truth (her cab driver agreeing with her cab that saying her decision to go along with the deception was much more romantic!). The screenplay is predictable, especially when her first encounter is with a good-looking man who is rather offhand with her and she demands an apology. Since he is played by the star of the film, Rege-Jean Page (who charmed television viewers in 2020 as the romantic Duke in the series, Bridgerton) we immediately guess that there will be complications, falling in love, the consequences of Anna’s not telling the truth…

And so it is.

There is a strong Italian supporting cast playing the extended family, all getting their more than moments to be characters, touches of caricature, some hesitation, some enthusiasm, but with the return of the wandering son, the seeming sealing of the wedding, and Anna having to step in to be the main chef for the final night celebratory dinner, how is it going to end up.

Yes, exactly…

1. The title and expectations? Romantic comedy? Tuscany and the Italian countryside and lifestyle?
2. Anna, her story, from the south, the death of her mother, devotion, the cooking course, leaving, house sitting, wearing the clothes of the owner, ousted? Claire as her friend and confidante? The dream of going to Tuscany? The chance encounter with Matteo, the drinks together, talking, the room, his falling asleep, the story of his mansion in Tuscany, keeping away from the family?
3. The decision to go, the constant contact with Claire? Arriving at the town, the friendly cab driver, the small car, his advice, the town itself, colourful, characters, going to the cafe, wanting the special sandwich, Michael and his vehicle, taking the sandwich, harsh with her, her wanting an apology? All rooms taken? The cab driver, the decision to go to the mansion?
4. In the mansion, lavish, the rooms, clothes, the engagement ring, not able to get it off? The gardener and his early singing? The arrival of Matteo’s mother and grandmother? The awkwardness, the suspicions grandmother, the engagement ring, the delight of all the family, her being welcomed? The cab driver, his advice, telling the truth, the lying as being more romantic?
5. Anna keeping up the pretence, the conversations, the different members of the family, the buxom sister, the young men, the mother and father, the grandmother, the cooking and recipes?
6. The encounter with Michael, wary, his charm, English but adopted, his parents’ accidental death, ownership of the vineyards, the tour, happy together, talking, the rain? The tourist groups and their comments
7. Matteo returning, challenging Anna, the family welcoming him back, keeping up the pretence, Isabella as the past girlfriend? Rivalry with Michael? The family situations, the pressure on Anna?
8. The Festival, dressing up, the ceremonies, the Bishop, the rolling the barrels, Matteo’s behaviour, Michael upset? The father’s accident and fall, Anna having to step in as chef, organising everything, the special meal, drawing on the American south, success, the patrons?
9. Michael, the fight with Matteo, his seeing him with Isabella?
10. The final revelation of the truth, and discussing with the cab driver, her leaving, Michael coming in pursuit, the whole family present, welcoming her back?
11. Her place in the family, living in Italy, contacting Claire, the months passing, and finding her place in the town and within the family?