Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey run through a vineyard in You, Me & Tuscany. (Photo credit: Universal Pictures)
Directed by:
Kat Coiro
Written by:
Ryan Engle, Kristin Engle
Starring:
Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo de Moor, Isabella Ferrari, Paolo Sassanelli, Stefania Casini, Stella Pecollo, Emanuele Pacca, Tommaso Cassissa, Nia Vardalos
Synopsis (IMDb):
When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner’s fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life.
Monique’s review:
You, Me & Tuscany feels like every Hallmark rom-com you’ve watched, but it also stands out as a groundbreaking moment in Hollywood.
What makes this film historic is that it’s a light, Hallmark-style rom-com starring Black actors. It’s rare to see a movie where Black characters just get to be themselves, without stories focused on racial trauma or violence. The only trauma here is that both love interests have lost their parents before the story starts. When was the last time you saw a big movie about a Black woman finding her own Under the Tuscan Sun romance? If you’re like me, you probably can’t think of one.
If this movie does well, it could lead to more Black rom-coms, especially once Hollywood executives see there’s money to be made. Filmmaker Nina Lee shared on Threads that her own film was at risk of being delayed if You, Me & Tuscany didn’t succeed. She explained that studios were watching this rom-com to decide if they should back similar projects. It’s clear that this kind of thinking is rooted in racism, since no one questions if there’s an audience for white-led films. Lee’s message to moviegoers to support You, Me and Tuscany shows just how much the film’s success matters for Black rom-coms in theaters1.
View on Threads
Putting aside its groundbreaking aspects, You, Me & Tuscany is a classic rom-com. If you enjoy predictable, feel-good movies, you’ll have fun watching Anna (Bailey) accidentally convince an Italian family she’s marrying their son, while actually falling for the family’s nephew, Michael (Page).
The supporting characters help make the movie more entertaining. Bailey’s sweet and bubbly personality shines, and she charms the audience with her Disney Princess-like qualities. Page is definitely there for his looks. He seems better suited for serious roles, since he brings a brooding vibe that doesn’t quite fit the playful world of rom-coms. Still, most people are probably watching him because he’s attractive, and in that sense, he does his job.
If you decide to watch this movie, focus on enjoying yourself. I’ve talked about the Hollywood politics behind it, and if that’s why you want to buy a ticket, that’s fine. Honestly, that was part of my reason too.
Don’t let the hype on Threads mislead you—this isn’t an ‘important’ film with a life-changing story. It’s exactly what it promises: a romantic fantasy in Tuscany with beautiful people. The plot is simple, and there aren’t any Oscar-level performances. But if you love rom-coms, especially the kind you find on Hallmark or Lifetime, you’ll enjoy You, Me & Tuscany. It’s a fun way to spend an evening, watching Bailey and Page explore the Tuscan countryside, drink wine, and fall in love. As long as you know what to expect, you’ll have a good time.
- It’s worth noting that there are more Black rom-coms available on streaming than in theaters. While streaming has its own issues with racism, it generally gives filmmakers more chances to share their work. Theaters are still run in an old-fashioned way, with executives who think they know what sells. Even though many studies show that audiences want diverse films, executives often ignore the data they claim to understand. ↩︎