The Age of Commercialism

Absolutely Fantastic

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I try to write a little on every film I see. My sister recommended this to me and so my wife and I watched it. The hard thing for me is the self-indulgent rich person who is searching for herself, trying to get herself moving forward after her ex- done her in. She has so much money that she can do just about anything she wants. I never found a connection to any of the people in this film, partly because we are so unalike and partly because I felt they didn't deserve much attention. It's hard to pull for character who are rolling through life, feasting on what is there. I do admit that this part of Italy is gorgeous. The cinematographer did a marvelous job of producing images of sun and architecture and all that this part of the world has to offer. After I saw the film, however, I had to think hard to remember what happened.

Full disclosure: I am a recently (ecstatically) divorced woman living my life happily as a whole person without (gasp!) a man. Also a successful and hard-working writer.Diane Lane does as well as she can, but this "a woman's happiness is with a man" shtick is tired. A divorced American writer who lost her San Francisco house to her ex and his lover travels to Italy and suddenly has the wherewithal to buy a run-down Italian money-pit villa where men emerge everywhere to make her feel better? Without having to resort to (gasp!) actual writing work? What happened to truly finding your self and caring for that person, regardless of who is around to fluff up your ego? A friend recommended this because I love Italy (the real one, not this 50s fantasy) and was recently divorced. Give me "Enchanted April" instead where women discover they are complete just as they are, without any hangers on or people to tell them how great/beautiful/amazing they are. Not against men, just against anyone defining themselves solely by a relationship. What ever happened to loving human partnerships where both are able to fulfill themselves in the context of the relationship? Sorry I wasted the hour and a half. Better off petting the cat and enjoying just being alive.

I believe every movie that resonates with me has its own perfect place in my life. This is a down-in-the-mouth, pick-me-up favorite of mine. I find it perfectly comforting on those ho-hum / woe-is-me days when I could really use a hug or a drink or both. I have to report that I have watched this movie at least twenty times, both alone and with friends (misery loves company). I have even gone to the extreme of having the same food and wine as shown in the movie ready to partake when I /we get to the scene (which really makes it fun by the way). The big news here is that no matter how bad I feel when I hit the play button, I always feel much better by the time credits roll at the end… Always!What I love most about the movie (spoiler alert) is the wistful yet posthumous advice Frances (Diane Lane) is constantly given from Federico Fellini (the late great movie director). He sends his advice through his medium, a classic blonde beauty (seriously classic) named Katherine (played by Lindsay Duncan), who claims to have been il Maestro's muse. Aside from the amazing cinematography that will make you want to purchase a one way ticket to Tuscany, the lovely and captivating acting, and the fun, move- your-body soundtrack, it is the foodie scene that may really capture your heart, it captured mine. I can make all of the dishes in the big foodie scene at this point, and I share this with great pride. LolWhen compared to the rainy-day, page-turner by Audrey Wells, well I should say, there is no comparison to the book really other than the location and the title. This story has lovely merit all its own. If you try to compare it to the book, as so many have, you will not find the same story. I have enjoyed both the book and the movie. In my mind they are Audrey Wells' fraternal twins and I love the both!

It's not often I don't manage to plow trough a movie, but the writing on this one was undoubtedly the worst I have seen in a long time.The bafflingly horrible dialogue and characterization was insulting for a viewer with even a shred sense. Was this a film student project gone horribly awry? In a character driven movie, you'd think there would be at least a little effort made on the way characterization. Basically what this movie boils down to is the scenery with a cheesy plot, even worse dialogue and no real heart or mind behind it. Cheap money grab form dimwits to dimwits.If I absolutely would have to say anything good about it, is that most of the shots where in focus.