You, Me & Tuscany checks all the romcom boxes, but lacks the cohesion and chemistry to be hailed alongside the truly immortal romantic comedies.
The film thus makes for a sometimes enjoyable but mostly predictable ride that is sure to garner a few laughs, as well as a few cringes.
Film News Blitz writer Sarah Sharp gives her verdict.
Rating: ★★
The set-up
Kat Coiro’s You, Me & Tuscany was released in cinemas on 10 April, 2026.
Its promo hinted at light-hearted fun, every Italian stereotype – including a plumber named Luigi, and the chance to see the return of Bridgerton star, Regé-Jean Page, as a swoonworthy romantic lead.
The film’s premise proposes a new realm of romcom shenanigans: after meeting a handsome stranger named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor), leading lady Anna (The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey) ends up crashing in his empty Tuscan villa unbeknownst to him.
In a comedy of errors, Matteo’s mother (Isabella Ferrari) believes that Anna is his bride-to-be.
Chaos ensues as Anna falls deeper into her lie while falling for Matteo’s cousin, Michael (Regé-Jean Page).
Adeptly put by Anna’s best friend (Aziza Scott), “You pretended to be the white Italian man’s fiancée but ended up catching feelings for the black Italian cousin brother? Oh, this some Shonda Rhimes shit.”
The anatomy of a romcom
The film does a lot of things that audiences look for when they go to watch a romantic comedy.
Bailey does well as the slightly all over the place yet lovable lead.
While Anna is not deeply characterised beyond having a passion for cooking, it becomes easy to root for her through her constant sincerity and desire for a family.
Michael is entirely too serious for the format, but Page makes it work through over-the-top undressing under sprinklers, and dramatically rolling a barrel (literally) while dressed in costume.
The two have a slight enemies-to-lovers arc that starts by fighting for the last sandwich at a deli (a meat meet-cute, if you will) and ends in a rapidly progressing romance, which hardly leaves time for much meaningful connection.
They’re also joined by a host of other enjoyable, but recognisable, tropes such as the sassy best friend, the falling in love montage, the kiss in the ‘rain,’ and of course, the happily ever after.
“You can Eat, Pray, and Love me, baby”
The film continually nods at those who came before it, leaving fun Easter eggs for the romcom fan.
This is seen in how it chooses to carry out known tropes (like having the leads rained on by the sprinklers in the vineyard rather than actual rain), but also in pieces of dialogue.
Upon seeing a shirtless Michael, a member of a tour group says that she’ll be his Diane Lane if he can get her under that Tuscan sun.
Nia Vardalos, star of the classic romcom My Big Fat Greek Wedding, also made a cameo appearance as the woman for whom Anna was housesitting in the film’s opening scene.
Anna is caught impersonating her life, and while a little on the nose, explains that she likes to live the lives of others rather than her own.
It’s also hard not to enjoy a bit of gorgeous scenery (and gorgeous food).
True to its name, You, Me & Tuscany, supplies many a travel magazine shot of the Tuscan countryside with an aria-singing gardener to boot.
“It’s very romantic,” insists Anna’s cab driver, Lorenzo (The Four Seasons’ Marco Calvani) – another bright spark in all his love of a good story and constant sandwich-eating glory.
And he might be right, our leads sing “Let Me Love You” to one another on TWO separate occasions. Very romantic.
All in all, the film is at its best when it is self-aware and leans into an over-the-top, picturesque and chaotic depiction of falling in love.
The disconnect
So why is this not a five-star film?
Unfortunately, all the pieces of a good romcom smooshed together do not always a good romcom make.
Amidst the fun and theatrical hijinks, our main love story felt a bit neglected.
With some heavy-handed backstory and montaging through what could’ve been important dialogue for chemistry and connection, it was easy to feel left wanting more.
(Spoiler) This was made more evident by the fast-paced ending, where conflict was wrapped up with little to no consolidation – seen in the family’s quick forgiveness of Anna’s lying, and Matteo… being forgotten about?
Forgiven, but leaving viewers with no idea of the relationship he wants with his family or their business.
Happily ever after
Ultimately, You, Me & Tuscany makes for a serviceable date night watch, if not the most original.
Though with personal wine tastings, easily earned familial approval, and mouthwatering bruschetta, one can’t help but wish to be part of their world.
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