Flashback Friday: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

When life hands us lemons, we have two choices: make lemonade or wallow in misery.

The 2003 film, Under the Tuscan Sun, is based on the memoir Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home In Italy, by Frances Mayes. Mayes (Diane Lane) is a writer who has just been blindsided by divorce papers. Needing a new start, she decides to pick up and start a new life in Tuscany.

To be completely fair, I read the book after I saw the movie. The book, well I tried. The movie, however, was fantastic. Lane is perfectly cast as Mayes. It was charming, romantic, and hit all of the right notes.

One thing that makes this stand out is Patti (Sandra Oh). At the beginning of the movie, Patti and her girlfriend are expecting their first child together. Given the year it was released, it is nice to see a portrayal of a gay couple that is as ordinary as a heteronormative relationship.

Do I recommend it?

Yes.

The Only Way to be Successful is to Make Sacrifices

What sacrifices have you made in life?

There is no shortcut to success. Sacrifice, hard work, and getting your hands dirty is the is the only way to get there.

Over the last year and a half, I have been taking a series of writing classes.  It was after work, and I was wiped.  But it was worth it.