I just saw the movie yesterday and it's a wonderful story about love for all ages...its shows the uncertainty of love, the many kinds of love, the emotional torture of love, and yet the continual, no matter how old you are, need for love. It's got characters for every age, it's got humor and views like a travelogue of the beauty of tuscany. Parents should let their teenagers see this to see that love is COMPLICATED, that life has many twists and turns, but that's what life is about. It's got adult subject matter, but if you think your 12 year olds might not be suited for this movie, think about all the junk they see saying sex has no consequences and love is overrated. It's a good family movie that could result in a lot of talk about love, sex and life over pizza after.
Under the Tuscan Sun
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Not much for teens in this book adaptation.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 14–15
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Under the Tuscan Sun was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has some strong language for a PG-13. There are sexual references and situations, including a sexual encounter between two people who barely know each other -- portrayed as deeply romantic and healing -- and a sexually active young couple. Another character is happily promiscuous. Mayes' husband leaves her for another woman. The movie does a good job of avoiding stereotypes with a gay Asian character.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about all of the advice that Mayes gets and what she learns from it.
More on Under the Tuscan Sun
What’s the Story?
Is It Any Good?
The problem is that director/screenwriter Wells tells us a lot more than she shows us. She seems to have no understanding of how to translate a story into film. The movie often seems abrupt and unfinished and the characters are superficially drawn. The script tells us how the characters feel about each other but does not make it matter enough for us to believe in or care about the way their relationships are resolved. Lane brings as much to the material as is humanly possible, but is given little to do beyond looking wistful and wounded. But it is all beguilingly pretty to watch and its message of hope and second chances is beguilingly pretty, too.
Movie Details
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/26/2003, DVD release: 2/3/2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
a great movie for everyone
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I rate this title off and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
Just plain hilarious and wonderful
I may be biased because I love Diane Lane movies, but this movie was great. The Tuscan villa is absolutely beautiful at the end and everything just sort of works. As far as romantic comedies go, this one is awesome because it is funny and you feel like you're rooting for Diane Lane's character. Plus, the young Polish builder is incredibly cute.

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