Friday, May 17, 2013
Under the Tuscan Sun... Chick Flick? No doubt...but what can I say? I liked its message.
OK, let's get this out on the table right up front. I know full well that Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) is a chick flick. There is no wiggle room here. I can't believe that I am even opening myself up to the certain castration that will come from my testosterone toting buds the next time we're hanging in my garage to watch a ball game and kill some beer and pizza. My wife will surely attest to the fact that I avoid chick flicks like that dreaded colonoscopy I was supposed to get once I turned 50. Having stated this for the record please let me proceed.
Since having the privilege to vacation with family in Italy in 2005 and again in 2007 I have been obsessively curious about any and all things Italy. When I saw the title of this movie come up on my cable channel listings I was obviously intrigued. I was hopeful that the Tuscany region of Italy would be as much a character in this movie as Las Vegas was inThe Hangover (2009). Thankfully I wasn't disappointed.
While this movie could have played out in many a locale around the globe there was something about Tuscany that resonated so true with the narrative. With it's old world, European charm, beautiful landscapes, artistic history, grace and humility,Tuscany provided the perfect backdrop of escape and hope; the two things Frances Mayes (Diane Lane), needed more than anything at this time in her life. Frances is a recently divorced, middle aged, English professor/writer, who is now faced with the circumstance of wondering what the next phase of her life has in store. Empathetic to her plight her friends send her on a vacation to Tuscany in an attempt to give her a break from her woe.
While on a tour of the countryside Frances falls in love with a broken down Villa named Bramesole. Against every instinct of common sense and logic she's ever had she winds up purchasing the home with every last penny from her divorce settlement. From this point the film takes us on a journey of courage, regret, frustration, heartbreak, and enlightenment.
Frances Mayes, when presented with the notion that this drastic move would enrich and enhance her life, closed her eyes, clenched her teeth, and took the chance. As she navigates her way through this strange new place, with no friends, no money, and not knowing the language, she is forced to summon all her character and inner strength to make this bizarre choice the right one. Along the way there are many events that test her resolve and force her to question her judgement. With the help of Tuscany's magnificence Frances hurdles every obstacle, not always on her terms or timetable but clears them nonetheless. She fixes her house, makes new friends, follows her soul and learns a very important lesson along the way.
Many times we get caught in the trap of thinking our dreams are way beyond our reach. Then someone comes along with an objective eye helping us realize that everything we ever wanted has been developing right under our nose, all because we had the insight and fortitude to make it happen.
What I enjoyed most about this theme is that it got me thinking about how I would act under similar circumstances. After all, how many of us, when faced with a challenge would have the clarity of mind and antenna to the soul to recognize a calling if and when one is served. If we are fortunate enough to hear the advice being offered by our inner voice, how many of us would then have the courage to pursue it with no assurance of how it will turn out. These are a few of the soul searching questions this film brings out in a very enjoyable, lighthearted, and often funny way. It also made me ponder if I've missed any signals along the way. With hindsight being 20/20 vision I certainly hope not, and thankfully I have no regrets. Like most good intentioned New Year's resolutions I also came away from this movie vowing to be more attentive to these moments if and when they arrive. I hope.
So yes, this is a chick flick. I watched it and I liked it. However, a word to producers,writers, and directors, don't get too comfortable. If you want me to become a regular fan of this genre then assure me of two things. The message in your film will always be as life affirming as it was in this case ... but more important than anything else ... make sure you set it somewhere in Italy. Comprendere?
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Directed by: Audrey Wells
Written by: Frances Mayes, Audrey Wells
Starring Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan, Raoul Bova , Vincent Riotta
Please stay tuned for more Musings From Studio 618, and if you like them please tell a friend.
All my very best.Anthony
Since having the privilege to vacation with family in Italy in 2005 and again in 2007 I have been obsessively curious about any and all things Italy. When I saw the title of this movie come up on my cable channel listings I was obviously intrigued. I was hopeful that the Tuscany region of Italy would be as much a character in this movie as Las Vegas was inThe Hangover (2009). Thankfully I wasn't disappointed.
While this movie could have played out in many a locale around the globe there was something about Tuscany that resonated so true with the narrative. With it's old world, European charm, beautiful landscapes, artistic history, grace and humility,Tuscany provided the perfect backdrop of escape and hope; the two things Frances Mayes (Diane Lane), needed more than anything at this time in her life. Frances is a recently divorced, middle aged, English professor/writer, who is now faced with the circumstance of wondering what the next phase of her life has in store. Empathetic to her plight her friends send her on a vacation to Tuscany in an attempt to give her a break from her woe.
While on a tour of the countryside Frances falls in love with a broken down Villa named Bramesole. Against every instinct of common sense and logic she's ever had she winds up purchasing the home with every last penny from her divorce settlement. From this point the film takes us on a journey of courage, regret, frustration, heartbreak, and enlightenment.
Frances Mayes, when presented with the notion that this drastic move would enrich and enhance her life, closed her eyes, clenched her teeth, and took the chance. As she navigates her way through this strange new place, with no friends, no money, and not knowing the language, she is forced to summon all her character and inner strength to make this bizarre choice the right one. Along the way there are many events that test her resolve and force her to question her judgement. With the help of Tuscany's magnificence Frances hurdles every obstacle, not always on her terms or timetable but clears them nonetheless. She fixes her house, makes new friends, follows her soul and learns a very important lesson along the way.
Many times we get caught in the trap of thinking our dreams are way beyond our reach. Then someone comes along with an objective eye helping us realize that everything we ever wanted has been developing right under our nose, all because we had the insight and fortitude to make it happen.
What I enjoyed most about this theme is that it got me thinking about how I would act under similar circumstances. After all, how many of us, when faced with a challenge would have the clarity of mind and antenna to the soul to recognize a calling if and when one is served. If we are fortunate enough to hear the advice being offered by our inner voice, how many of us would then have the courage to pursue it with no assurance of how it will turn out. These are a few of the soul searching questions this film brings out in a very enjoyable, lighthearted, and often funny way. It also made me ponder if I've missed any signals along the way. With hindsight being 20/20 vision I certainly hope not, and thankfully I have no regrets. Like most good intentioned New Year's resolutions I also came away from this movie vowing to be more attentive to these moments if and when they arrive. I hope.
So yes, this is a chick flick. I watched it and I liked it. However, a word to producers,writers, and directors, don't get too comfortable. If you want me to become a regular fan of this genre then assure me of two things. The message in your film will always be as life affirming as it was in this case ... but more important than anything else ... make sure you set it somewhere in Italy. Comprendere?
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Directed by: Audrey Wells
Written by: Frances Mayes, Audrey Wells
Starring Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan, Raoul Bova , Vincent Riotta
Please stay tuned for more Musings From Studio 618, and if you like them please tell a friend.
All my very best.Anthony
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Three Stooges movie will make you yuk yuk yuk.
The Three Stooges (2012)... Brain Candy of the Highest Order.
(Now airing on your cable premium movie channels or on-demand.)
Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
Written by: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly and Mike Cerrone
The Farelley Brothers have done it again. The comedy siblings that brought us , There's Something About Mary, Shallow Hal, Dumb and Dumber, The Heartbreak Kid, and more, have popped off the lens cap once again to recreate the mad cap trio of Moe, Larry and Curly, also known as...The Three Stooges. The lovable loons who miraculously eluded the generation gap since 1934 and for decades have defined the timeless art of slapstick humor.
If you were a loyal fan of the original Three Stooges television show then this movie is a can't miss. The film spans three phases of the Stooges lives from infants left on the orphanage steps, to lovable ten year olds, then ultimately as the adults we've all known and loved for years. Amazingly the ten year old characters are a dead on likeness of how you would have expected these guys to look like and act at that age. Even more entertaining though is how close a recreation the adult cast is of the originals. These actors positively nailed it.
The adult cast stars Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe (Under New Management), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) as Larry and Will Sasso (MADtv) as Curly. The film also features Jane Lynch (Glee) as Mother Superior, Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) as Lydia and Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)is a riot as Sister Mary-Mengele. Also sharing the screen in smaller roles are Jennifer Hudson, Kate Upton, and, believe or not, ... the cast ofThe Jersey Shore.
Growing up as a kid if your mom thought something was silly and mindless but your dad just couldn''t stop laughing then it's pretty certain that you'd locked in to something that will have you laughing for a lifetime. Take for example the Pink Panther series of movies starring Peter Sellers. My dad and I thought those flicks were riotously hilarious, while my mom would look at us like we had lost our minds. The same held true in my early adulthood with the sitcom Married with Children. This show still leaves me in stitches while mom just shakes her head wondering where she went wrong.
The same could be said about the The Three Stooges. From the time I was five years old to this ripe old age of fifty those zany goofballs still make bellow and tear with laughter. But now it's my wife who looks at me and wonders how I could actually earn a paycheck and still find this stuff funny.
So if you are anything like me then I'm pretty sure you are going to get quite a charge out of this movie. The three main characters are so convincing at times you will forget you are watching a recreation and swear you are sitting in your basement as a kid and watching old episodes on some fuzzy UHF station. (OK, now is the time to turn to your children or grandchildren and remind them of those darker days when there was no such thing as cable or satellite TV.)
This 90 minute romp is brain candy of the highest order. If you're looking for a break from the news and worries of the day then make yourself a hot dog, pour yourself a beer and settle in for a laugh you won't soon forget.
Please stay tuned for more Musings from Studio 618, and if you like them please tell a friend.
All my very best,
Anthony Caraffa
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