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Under the Tuscan Sun
PG-13
Starting tomorrow at area theaters
Three reels out of four
In his book Adventures of the Screen Trade, Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman wrote something that rings true 20 years later: "Nobody knows anything."
He was talking about how movie executives can arm themselves with demographics, statistics and any other seemingly relevant data, but the fact is very few people know what makes or breaks a film.
Before I even set foot in the theater to see Under the Tuscan Sun, the new movie starring Diane Lane as a writer in a midlife crisis, I thought I had it pegged. I was cynically thinking, "Here’s another failed attempt by Hollywood to bring Culture [with capital C] to middle America. It doesn’t stand a chance."
And sure enough, this film is filled to the brim with cute, endearing ethnic stereotypes and more plot devices than a Lifetime movie. Yet, despite its shortcomings, the picture won me over with its straightforward charm and unbridled warmth.
Of course, having Lane as the star doesn’t hurt. She plays Frances Mayes, a successful writer who finds herself terminally blocked when her husband leaves her for another woman. While on a tour of Tuscany, Frances buys a dilapidated villa with plans of renovating it. Initially overwhelmed, she eventually feels a sense of belonging that she never felt before, and even starts to write again.
Lane is the major reason for this film’s success. I’m glad she finally got her long-deserved recognition with last year’s Best Actress nomination for Unfaithful. Although, in Tuscan Sun, I had a hard time believing anyone would be stupid enough to leave Diane Lane (or her character, anyway), she pulls it off with great skill and warmth. In her capable hands, Frances is believably confused and depressed.
Maybe another reason this film works is that it doesn’t condescend to its characters. You have the lively Englishwoman who may or may not be nuts. Then you have the gentlemanly married man who may or may not be interested in Lane’s character. Then you have the Polish painters. They’re all a tad quaint, but human.
The scenery and the food also entice. I’ve never been to Tuscany, but the lush scenes in the film are somewhere between fine art and a travelogue. It’s never evident why, all of a sudden, Frances becomes a master of Italian cooking overnight, but I was too hungry to care.
Finally, this film is a success due to its timeless message: "Life is meant to be enjoyed." So is this movie.
Recommended rental
Bend it Like Beckham
PG-13
Available Tuesday
Bend it Like Beckham is one of those little movies that charm the socks off you. Although it wasn’t the monster art-house hit many had hoped for, it did respectably enough to land its star a role on the TV show ER. The story is about Jess, an Indian girl raised in England who dreams one day of playing professional soccer. Her biggest obstacles are her loving but overprotective parents, who’d like to see her go to college and meet a nice, respectable Indian boy. Although it might remind some of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bend it Like Beckham has a style all its own. (By the way, the title refers to British soccer star David Beckham. Duh!)
Movie schedules until Oct. 2 unless otherwise indicated. Call theaters for updates.
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219
*Duplex (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:20, 3, 5:15, 7:50, 10:20
*The Rundown (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:10, 12:40, 1:20, 2:50, 3:20, 4:30, 5:20, 6:30, 7:20, 8, 9, 10,10:35
*Cold Creek Manor (R)
Thu.: 12:45, 3:45, 7, 10
Fri.-Thu. 12:45,3:45,7,10:10
*The Fighting Temptations (PG-13)
Thu.: 12, 12:30, 1, 1:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 6:35, 7:05, 7:30, 9:30, 10:05, 10:30
Fri.-Thu.:12,12:30,1, 3:05, 3:30, 4, 6:35, 7:05, 7:30, 9:30, 10:05, 10:30
*Scarface (R)
Thu.-Thu.: 1:30, 5:30, 9:20
*Secondhand Lions (PG)
Thu.: 1:20, 4:30, 7:20, 9:55
Fri.-Thu.: 1:25, 4:25, 6:55, 9:55
*Underworld (R)
Thui.-Thu.: 12:15, 1:15, 3:15, 4:15, 7:15, 7:45, 10:15, 10:40
*Matchstick Men (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:40, 3:35, 6:25, 9:10, 9:55
Fri,-Thu.: 12:35, 3:40, 6:40, 9:35
*Cabin Fever (R)
Thu.: 12:50, 3:50, 7:10, 10:10
Fri.-Thu.: 12:50, 3:50, 7:10, 9:40
*Once Upon a Time In Mexico (R)
Thu.: 12:10, 12:40, 1:40, 2:50, 3:20, 4:40, 5:20, 6:30, 7:25, 7:55, 9, 9:50, 10:25
Fri.-Thu.: 1:40, 4:40, 7:25, 9:50
*Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (PG-13)
Thu.-Fri. & Mon.-Thu.: 1:10, 4:20, 6:55, 9:25
Sat.: 1:10, 4:20
Sun.: 6:45, 9:45
*Jeepers Creepers 2 (R)
Thu.: 12:55, 3:55, 7:50, 10:35
Fri.-Thu.: 9:45
*Freaky Friday (PG)
Thu.: 11:55 a.m., 2:30, 5, 7:35
Fri.-Thu.: 1:50, 4:50, 7:35
*S.W.A.T. (PG-13)
Thu.: 12:20, 3:10, 6:50, 9:40 (Ends 9/25)
CENTER CITY
Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900
*Under the Tuscan Sun (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12, 1, 2:30, 3:30, 5:10, 6:10, 7:40, 8:40, 10
*Anything Else (R)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:30, 2:50, 5:15, 7:40, 10
*The Magdalene Sisters (R)
Thu.-Thu.: 1:15, 4:10, 7, 9:45
*Dirty Pretty Things (R)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:45, 3, 5:20, 7:35, 9:55
*Tycoon (NR)
Thu.: 1, 4, 7:10, 9:50 (Ends 9/25)
*The Weather Underground (NR)
Thu.: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 10 (Ends 9/25)
Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-7900
*Lost in Translation (R)
Thu. & Sat.-Thu.: 12:15, 1:15, 2:35, 3:35, 5:15, 6:15, 7:40, 8:40, 10
Fri.: 12:15, 2:35, 3:35, 5:15, 6:15, 7:40, 8:40, 10
*Thirteen (R)
Thu. & Tue. & Thu.: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 3:50, 5;05, 6:10, 8:30, 10
Fri.-Sun. & Wed.: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 3:50, 5:10, 6:10, 7:30, 8:30, 9:50
*Masked and Anonymous (PG-13)
Thu.-Thu.: 2:45, 5:10, 10
*The Holy Land (NR)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:20, 7:35
Ritz East
Second Street Between Chestnut and Walnut
215-925-7900
*The Weather Underground (NR)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 10
*American Splendor (R)
Thu.-Thu.: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50
*Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (R)
Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:05, 7:40, 10 (Ends 9/25)
Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-6699
*So Close (R)
Thu.-Fri. & Mon.-Thu.: 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
Sat.-Sun.: 11:45 a.m., 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
*Matchstick Men (PG-13)
Thu.-Fri. & Mon.-Thu.: 4:30, 7, 9:30
Sat.-Sun.: 11:30, 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30
