What starts out with a homosexual-sponsored tour through the Tuscany landscape becomes a journey through the ups and downs of life and love in \Under the Tuscan Sun.""
The story begins with Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) who leaves her average life behind after an unexpected divorce.??She moves into an apartment full of divorc??s and slips into depression.??After receiving much-needed advice from her friends, Mayes agrees to get away from her isolated lifestyle and takes a trip to Tuscany, Italy.??
While on tour, Mayes follows her instincts and, in a split-second decision, buys a villa.??She moves into the fixer-upper with high hopes of finding herself along the way.??
With the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany in the background, Mayes attempts to renovate her new home with the help of some Polish contractors.??This becomes the main focus of the film.?? The countless problems with the house parallel the obstacles Mayes faces in her life as she tries to take new risks.?? ??
Besides the theme of taking risks, another key message in the plot involves the innocence of love.?? When one of the younger contractors working on her house falls in love, Mayes is reminded not to give up on love no matter how difficult it seems.??Her cynical view of life and love is challenged throughout the film.
""Under the Tuscan Sun"" provides a new twist on the average love story. Instead of the usual ""guy meets girl"" drab, the main character is put through countless struggles involving love while trying to find herself at the same time.??These messages give the audience a sense of optimism.??This touching story could break the most cynical of viewers, so bringing the tissues would not be a bad idea.
