Halle Bailey Shines in Italian Rom-Com
At just 26 years old, Halle Bailey has already positioned her self in Hollywood to not need validation of her abilities, skills and overall talent. She has proven her voice and her command of the big screen.
Bailey’s latest film You, Me & Tuscany alongside actor Regé-Jean Page perhaps launches both into new spaces as fan favorites.
The film begins with Anna (Bailey) losing her job as a New York house-sitter. As she sulks in her friend Claire’s hotel, she stumbles upon Mateo (Lorenzo de Moor) at the hotel’s bar. The handsome Italian man offers her pleasant and respectful attention, sharing with her details about his life, family and villa back in Italy. Anna shares stories about her late mother and how she inspired her to be a chef. Anna reveals that she dropped out of culinary school just two months shy of graduating as she tried to cope with the loss of her mother. The two drink the night away before retiring to Mateo’s hotel suite. Despite their obvious flirtation, the gentleman falls asleep before the events of the evening can escalate.
Anna decides on a whim that she will use the airfare ticket to Italy that her mother bought her. Arriving during a large festival, there are no available hotels. Anna first meets Michael, played by Page in a sandwich shop. Their first interaction is anything but pleasant, as Michael swipes the last sandwich that Anna wants. After he lectures her about coming to Tuscany during a festival, with no place to stay - Anna revisits a villa photo Mateo shared with her and zooms in on the address.
One of the most charming actors in the film is Lorenzo, the ever-so-helpful taxi driver who serves as a constant support and listening ear for Anna.
Once at the villa, Anna finds keys in a potted plant and lets herself in. Not only does she make herself comfortable, but she explores Mateo’s personal belongings. She stumbles on a ring and places it on her ring finger shortly before both Mateo’s mother and grandmother enter the home to clean it. They discover her - and the ring on her finger. The mother, played by Isabella Ferrari runs with the narrative that Anna must be Mateo’s soon-to-be-bride and couldn’t be more excited.
Mateo’s family immediately gravitates to Anna, as her presence indicates a return of Mateo to the family. The first uncomfortable realization for Anna is that Mateo and Michael are cousins, who were raised as brothers. Anna and Michael begin to spend a great deal of time together, learning each others’ respective stories and dreams. The chemistry between Bailey and Page is undeniable.
The drama unfolds when Mateo returns to Tuscany to find Anna in his villa. He is infuriated at the deceit she has carried out with his family, but quickly reroutes his frustration when he discovers his family to be more accepting of him because of her. Anna does an exceptional job of winning over the hearts of the parents, the siblings and the cousins. She even salvages the family restaurant’s last night meal of the festival after the father is injured.
You, Me & Tuscany is entertaining from start to finish. There are truly moments when viewers are rooting for this family dynamic.