YOU, ME, & TUSCANY
(director: Kat Coiro; screenwriter: Ryan Engle, story by Engle & Kristin Engle; cinematographer: Danny Ruhlmann; editors: Zene Baker, Troy Kakaki; music: John Debney; cast: Halle Bailey (Anna), Lorenzo de Moor (Matteo), Rene-Jean Page (Michael), Aziza Scott (Claire, Ann’s best friend), Marco Calvani (Lorenzo, Taxi Driver), Isabella Ferrari (Gabriella), Stefania Casini (Noona Alesia), Stella Pecollo (Francesca), Paolo Sassanelli (Vincenzo), Nia Vardalos (Apartment Owner in Manhattan); Runtime: 105; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Johanna Byer, Will Packer; Universal Pictures; 2026)
“An absurd low-budget rom/com.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
An absurd low-budget rom/com directed as a formulaic sitcom by Kat Coiro (“Marry Me”/”A Case of You”). It’s based on the story by the couple Ryan and Kristin Engle, and is written by the husband Ryan.
After her mom’s death the twenty-something Anna (Halle Bailey) quits culinary school to work as a professional house sitter. After fired for pretending to be the absentee owner of a luxury Manhattan apartment, she meets in a hotel bar the bachelor Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor), an Italian real estate investor. He tells her that he left an empty villa in his Tuscany hometown. Anna flies to Italy, and without permission moves into his empty house. When discovered by Matteo’s mother Gabriella (Isabella Ferrari), she tells his mom she’s engaged to Matteo.
Soon everyone in Matteo’s family knows and take it as good news. When Anna meets Matteo’s hunky adopted brother Michael (Rene-Jean Page), a vineyard owner, the two are attracted to each other.
After a series of contrivances, we find that the struggling family restaurant needs a chef. Anna comes to the rescue and shows us her true passion is for cooking. By helping the family, she feels less guilty about lying to them.
The uninspiring and not funny Hallmark Channel type of B-film seemed as tiresome as it was dumb, indigestible and unbelievable.
REVIEWED ON 4/12/2026 GRADE: C-