While You Were Sleeping shaped so much of who I am as a romance fan, so I’ll always have a deep appreciation for the tropes it explores and movies that want to deep dive into similar patterns. In other words, this is the only kind of love triangle I don’t loathe. That’s why You, Me & Tuscany is an absolute joy from start to finish, and a sweet theatrical experience that feels like a nostalgic escape.
In truth, though nothing can ever top the Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman masterpiece for me, You, Me & Tuscany thankfully never tries to with a different play on the classic structure. It shines beautifully because of the exceptional chemistry between Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey, proving that with great actors at the helm, even the most absurd narratives can feel achingly romantic. The way the two of them play off one another and how the story pans out organically because of their budding relationship is no small feat.
There’s something indescribably nostalgic about destination rom coms that feels even more comforting when we watch them in this day and age. Like the promise of a vacation and a trip that changes everything can still become a reality while we’re crushed under the weight of deadlines and what feels like a perpetual state of hopelessness. There’s something lovely about the escapism that no other genre can replicate as beautifully, because the romanticization of ordinary things is often prevalent in romantic comedies. It’s why they’re so satisfying and why we keep coming back to them, over and over again. It’s why it’s the one genre guaranteed to deliver hope and happiness every single time.
The practicalities also work surprisingly well because transparency is what speaks in the movie. While Bailey’s Anna (Brianna, as we learn by the end) is essentially lying to Mateo’s family, she’s fully honest about herself. She’s honest about her emotions, and she’s honest about her past, which is also what makes Lucy in While You Were Sleeping a heroine who’s easy to believe. We see their motives, and we understand them. We can root for them easily. No one should ever be left without a family, so the idea of found families feels especially earned with narratives like this.
In addition, director Kat Coiro knows exactly what she’s doing with close-up shots and the wide scenic frames to fully immerse us in the stunning getaway with the characters. There’s also a clear difference between a theatrical release film and one that’s made for the small screen, and it’s what we see in the beauty of the scenic shots here. It’s the way Italy is painted through picturesque shots that remind us of exactly why people love movies like this so much.
Ultimately, the film’s heart lies in every beat we spend with the characters. It’s in the collection of moments that showcase that both Anna and Michael are two people worthy of finding someone who’ll not only love them as they are, but will ensure that their best always comes to the surface. They’re two people who appreciate the ordinary things, making every minute of their interactions sweet and tender in an utterly swoon-worthy way. Sparkling with gorgeous chemistry between its leads and stunning scenic shots in every frame, You, Me & Tuscany is a deliciously penned summer romance. It’s one that’ll be easy for people to rewatch and recommend, and it’s one that’ll hopefully signal to executives that more movies like this deserve to be on the big screen.
You, Me & Tuscany is now playing in theaters.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Universal Pictures