Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: It may be a fairy tale, but it's one worth believing in. Read more
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: It may have taken two decades for Hollywood to finally fall in love with Lane, but Under the Tuscan Sun proves it was better late than never. Read more
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: ... some of the most beautiful photography in any film I've seen this year. Read more
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Despite the formulaic plot, which seems to belong on the Lifetime channel, Wells has a knack for witty dialogue that keeps things moving along. Read more
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune: If the screen version of Under the Tuscan Sun doesn't make your mouth water or inspire you to price out flights to Italy, what's the point? Read more
Elvis Mitchell, New York Times: Eminently superficial, although Ms. Wells keeps the movie going with a steady, commanding hand and casts it with an actress who can deftly downshift from serene to sodden. Read more
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Has about as much in common with Frances Mayes as it does with Willie Mays, but it does have the marvelous Diane Lane. Read more
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Plays as a warmly soothing yuppie-makeover daydream, and it goes down like limoncello -- sweet, not very good for you, but irresistible just the same. Read more
Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times: The movie pretends it's peddling a vision of 'you-go-girl' independence in which it doesn't remotely believe. Read more
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: A touching story that includes large helpings of humor and charm. Read more
Paul Clinton (CNN.com), CNN.com: This beautifully crafted film is about saying yes -- and continuing to say yes -- to new experiences, despite the chances for failure. Read more
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: Likable and flawed in its own right. Read more
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Every other character, including the house and the country it's built on, is a sidekick to Frances and her triumphant heroism on the road back to self-fulfillment. Read more
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News: A predictable lightweight comedy-drama that believes in second chances, risk-taking and loving a house. Read more
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert, L.A. Weekly: Real issues come up along the way ... but in these Wells proves a mere dabbler, speeding away weightier ideas, and the dimension they promise, in a wash of lemony vistas, easy episodes and exclusively lovable characters. Read more
John Anderson, Newsday: What Lane makes you do is wonder why she hasn't been making more movies over the years. Read more
Bob Campbell, Newark Star-Ledger: Alternately helped, hindered and (best) left alone by first-time director Wells, Lane fills the screen with her perceptive presence and lifts the undramatic story as high as gravity allows. Read more
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: It's because of Lane's performance that we don't discount Frances as a silly thing with a weakness for rustic charm, big-eyed kittens and poetic tableaux. Read more
Rex Reed, New York Observer: The epitome of what a feel-good movie is supposed to be but rarely is, this one is beautiful to look at and life-affirming to think about, and it doesn't have a pretentious bone in its head. Read more
James Berardinelli, ReelViews: If you're looking for pretty, postcard-like settings, this movie offers plenty of them. If the narrative is more of a concern, you may find this film lacking. Read more
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: What redeems the film is its successful escapism, and Lane's performance. Read more
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: Under the Tuscan Sun pretends to be juicy, but it doesn't allow any dribbles. It purports to make love all over us, but not without laying down lots of paper towels first. Read more
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: The only real downside to the film is what it's likely to do for Italian tourism. After this, the deluge. Read more
David Edelstein, Slate: The movie is sweet but deeply suspect: It's like Lost Horizon re-imagined by a realtor. Read more
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Forget about getting a refill on popcorn. Your first instinct while watching Under the Tuscan Sun is to call a travel agent. Read more
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: While both the scenery and star Diane Lane are highly watchable, the movie is pure froth, a plate-sized helping of zabaglione. Read more
Susan Walker, Toronto Star: Lane makes a good impression of a woman taking a big risk and winning a second chance at life. Read more