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I’m a Smart-Home Addict, and These Are My Favorite Smart Displays

I’m a Smart-Home Addict, and These Are My Favorite Smart Displays

Comparing Our Favorite Smart Displays

More Smart Displays We Like

Echo Hub for $180: The Echo Hub isn’t exactly a smart display. It lacks powerful speaker capabilities and doesn’t have a camera for calls or Amazon’s Drop-In video call feature. Instead, it focuses entirely on being a smart home dashboard with built-in Alexa, plus features like widgets and the photo frame. I think it takes the best, most easily used features of a smart display and cuts out the rest. But if you want a good speaker, don’t choose this one.

Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023) for $90: The smaller and cheaper third-gen Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch screen that works best on a desk or a bedside table. We think it’s a bit too small for the kitchen or living room, but that depends on how you plan to use it.

Echo Show 15 for $300: This is the largest of them all, with a 15.6-inch display, and it has customizable widgets so you can have smart-home device controls and calendar reminders available whenever. It’s made to be mounted on your wall like a TV (a stand is sold separately), and the Show 15 pairs with a Fire TV remote (you can use the app) to use the streaming features. With the new Alexa+ I’ve found myself liking it a lot more, and it’s much less distracting than the rotating slideshows you get on smaller Echo Shows. It’s a splurge, though, and I still wish the streaming capabilities were better.

Google Nest Hub for $100: Google’s second-gen Nest Hub is a great option if you don’t need a camera and don’t mind a smaller 7-inch screen. It has a wake-up alarm that emulates the rising sun for gentler mornings, though it’s not bright enough to qualify as a sunrise alarm clock. It also has sleep-tracking tech to track your sleep quality, though the quality of the results isn’t great. It also supports gestures—like playing or pausing a video with a hand movement—by using unique radar tech.

Google Pixel Tablet for $499: This tablet doubles as a smart speaker when placed on its speaker dock. It works well, but it’s not currently slated to get Google’s new assistant, Gemini for Home. If that changes, we’ll go back to recommending it. But we’re not sure it will: availability has been limited for the speaker base, and could point to this device being discontinued altogether.

Smart Displays to Skip

We don’t like every smart display. Here are the ones we’re skipping after trying them out.

Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen, 2021) for $250: This smart display is situated on top of a large cylindrical speaker, which makes it sound great. The screen physically swivels to follow you around the room as you use it, keeping you in frame while you video chat or keeping your streamed workout video in your line of sight as you move about. Because the screen moves around so much, you may have trouble positioning it in tighter spaces—especially in corners. It’s a unique model, and is still out of stock like it was this summer. I suspect the upcoming new Echo Show 11 ($220) might replace it, since it has a similar design (but leaves out the movement gimmick).

Third-Party Google Displays: Google is no longer updating software for some of the third-party smart displays we used to recommend in this guide. If you have one, it will still work, but some features will likely suffer or disappear entirely as time passes. This seems to be the fate of most third-party Google smart displays, which is why we don’t recommend them anymore. Google did say they’ll be working with partners to bring Gemini for Home to third-party devices, so we’ll see how that pans out.

What About Alexa+ and the New Echo Shows?

Amazon has been randomly rolling out its new version of Alexa, named Alexa+, in early access since the spring. This second generation of the Alexa voice assistant is more conversational, able to execute complex tasks and learn new information, and can be much more personalized. That’ll be due to its being powered by generative AI. Check out our hands-on with early access Alexa+ for more more about our experience.

Unlike the current Alexa, once it’s fully available, it’ll cost $20 a month or be free if you have an Amazon Prime membership. This is a big jump from the free assistant, but you can keep the current Alexa for free if you don’t wish for another subscription or have an Amazon Prime membership. Right now, it’s also only available in early access for Echo Show devices. You can sign up here for the wait list.

Alexa+ will be immediately available on its newest devices coming this fall, however. There will be two new smart displays, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and Echo Show 11, and two new smart speakers, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio (2nd Gen). We’re curious how the new models will compare to our current favorites, and we will update this guide once we test them.

It’s also important to note that Alexa+ has forced a privacy change for all Echo devices. Echo devices used to be able to process voice recordings locally on your device, but the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” privacy feature was killed in March. Now all voice recordings will be sent to Amazon to be processed in order to make Alexa+ function, but even if you don’t end up using Alexa+, the feature is gone.

What About Gemini for Home and Google’s Smart Displays?

Amazon isn’t the only one rolling out a new version of its assistant. Gemini for Home is Google’s similarly AI-powered smart assistant that will replace Google Assistant in just about all of its available speakers. Unlike Amazon’s new assistant, Gemini for Home will be free, but Google is changing its Nest Aware subscription to become a subscription that’s both for video storage and for more powerful assistant features.

Google is also rolling out a new speaker in the spring, but no new smart display is slated yet. The new assistant will come to all of Google’s existing lineup except for the Google Pixel Tablet, which we no longer recommend since it’s not currently planned to get support with the new assistant. Google did say they plan to work with third-party partners to bring Gemini for Home to more devices, so we might see new third-party displays that we can recommend again. We’ll update this guide as we learn more, but for now, Google’s Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub are the best smart displays to purchase if you want access to Google’s new assistant.

FAQs

Do You Need a Smart Display?

Smart displays are helpful, acting as hubs for your smart home devices, walking you through recipes while you chop away in the kitchen, and in some cases allowing you to video chat hands-free too. But we’re not sure how long they’ll be worth it, or even exist, in their current form. Companies have been experimenting and doing away with smart displays again and again; Meta discontinued its Portal devices, Google might be discontinuing the Pixel Tablet we favored, and Apple still has yet to even make a smart display.

Amazon has continued to make new smart displays, even after losing $10 billion in 2022 thanks to failures around the Alexa voice assistant. The Alexa team was reportedly hit hard by layoffs in 2022 and 2023, but new smart displays continued to come out since then and more are slated to come out later this fall: the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and Echo Show 11.

The future of these smart home devices isn’t clear right now, but if you’re going to get one, we suggest sticking with devices directly from the brand whose voice assistant you prefer. Otherwise, consider one of our favorite tablets instead.

Does Apple Have a Smart Display?

So far, Apple has yet to launch its own dedicated smart display. Apple iPhones have a StandBy Mode included in iOS that activates when an iPhone is on its side and charging, using stands like this one from Twelve South. I had hoped this feature would feel similar to a smart display, but StandBy Mode is limited to customizable clock faces, showing your photos, and having your texts pop up in large text that fills the screen. It doesn’t scratch the itch of all the features you get in a smart display and instead feels like a fancy alarm clock.

What About Digital Calendars?

There’s a growing market of digital calendars that look a bit like smart displays, but instead of being able to respond to voice commands and stream a video call, these digital screens are designed to have one shared calendar for the entire family to see and view. Skylight, a maker of one of our favorite digital photo frames, makes the Skylight Calendar (starting at $170) that comes in 10 inches, 15 inches, and 27 inches, while I tested the Hearth Display ($699) that comes exclusively in a 27-inch size. Cozyla also makes the Cozyla Calendar+ that starts at 15 inches but goes all the way up to a 36-inch screen.

There are some differences in these calendars, but you’ll find a similar roadblock to them: memberships. Hearth Display encourages using the display to create routines with your family, specifically kids, though you’ll want a kid older than my 2-year-old to use it properly (though the Hearth does have icons designed for kids who can’t read yet), and to sign up for the Family Membership. The Skylight touts a photo screensaver and meal planning tools if you sign up for the monthly Plus Plan.

You could find these devices are for you, but it’s either another device for one parent to manage or something you’ll have to teach your entire family to make into a habit to really get the most out of. You’re likely better off just teaching everyone in your family to share their Google Calendar.

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This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.

In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters.

What’s not to love?

You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy.

‘You, Me and Tuscany’ review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com
                                                            This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters. What’s not to love?
You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable. Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor). Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it. 
    
                    


            
            
            Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication. 
        
            Mashable Top Stories
        
        
    
In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold. Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayIt’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.” Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos. For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!” 
From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley. 
    
                    


            
            
            Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair. Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache. All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing. You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10. 

                    
                                            
                            
                        
                                    #Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom

Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable.

Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor).

Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it.

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication.

In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

It’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.”

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble.

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos.

For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!”

From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley.

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair.

Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache.

All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing.

You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10.

#Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom">‘You, Me and Tuscany’ review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com
                                                            This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters. What’s not to love?
You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable. Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor). Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it. 
    
                    


            
            
            Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication. 
        
            Mashable Top Stories
        
        
    
In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold. Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayIt’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.” Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos. For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!” 
From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley. 
    
                    


            
            
            Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair. Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache. All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing. You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10. 

                    
                                            
                            
                        
                                    #Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom

Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.

In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters.

What’s not to love?

You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy.

‘You, Me and Tuscany’ review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com
                                                            This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters. What’s not to love?
You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable. Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor). Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it. 
    
                    


            
            
            Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication. 
        
            Mashable Top Stories
        
        
    
In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold. Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayIt’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.” Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos. For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!” 
From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley. 
    
                    


            
            
            Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair. Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache. All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing. You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10. 

                    
                                            
                            
                        
                                    #Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom

Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable.

Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor).

Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it.

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication.

In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

It’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.”

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble.

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos.

For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!”

From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley.

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair.

Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache.

All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing.

You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10.

#Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom">‘You, Me and Tuscany’ review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com

This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.

In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters.

What’s not to love?

You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy.

‘You, Me and Tuscany’ review: Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page deliver a radiant, feel-good rom-com
                                                            This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro’s back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from ’90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey and Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters. What’s not to love?
You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable. Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor). Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it. 
    
                    


            
            
            Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication. 
        
            Mashable Top Stories
        
        
    
In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold. Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayIt’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.” Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble. 
    
                    


            
            
            Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures
        
    
Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos. For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!” 
From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley. 
    
                    


            
            
            Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.”
            Credit: Universal Pictures
        
    
Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair. Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache. All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing. You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10. 

                    
                                            
                            
                        
                                    #Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom

Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany‘s credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable.

Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a “spicy white boy” (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor).

Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is “just sitting there.” And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it’s not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it.

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can’t get it off before Matteo’s family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don’t stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow’s framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication.

In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she’s actually falling for when he and all his family believes she’s engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo’s “brother/cousin” Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair’s TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine’s interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold.

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It’s a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario’s Let Me Love You” and Ari Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era.”

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble.

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in

Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she’s able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s Nia Vardalos.

For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As “handsome winemaker” Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, “Spicy White has a brother that’s a BROTHA with a six-pack!”

From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley.

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in “You, Me & Tuscany.” Credit: Universal Pictures

Coiro’s rom-com doesn’t just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael’s level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she’s a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair.

Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache.

All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It’ll make a perfect pairing.

You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10.

#Tuscany #review #Halle #Bailey #RegéJean #Page #deliver #radiant #feelgood #romcom

Notebooks sound a lot like ChatGPT’s Projects feature, which launched in 2024 and similarly lets users store things about a certain topic in one spot. Google says to “think of notebooks as personal knowledge bases shared across Google products, starting in Gemini.” Gemini’s Notebooks also sync with Google’s NotebookLM AI research tool, meaning sources you add while using one of the apps will show up in both.

Gemini’s notebooks are rolling out this week on the web for subscribers of Google’s AI Ultra, Pro, and Plus plans, according to Google. The feature will come to mobile and to free users in the “coming weeks.”

#Gemini #notebooks #organize #projectsAI,Google,News,Tech">Gemini gets notebooks to help you organize projectsGoogle’s Gemini is getting a feature called “notebooks” to help you organize things about certain topics in a single place while using the AI chatbot, the company announced on Wednesday. You can pull in things like files, past conversations, and custom instructions into notebooks that Gemini can then use as context while you’re talking with it.Notebooks sound a lot like ChatGPT’s Projects feature, which launched in 2024 and similarly lets users store things about a certain topic in one spot. Google says to “think of notebooks as personal knowledge bases shared across Google products, starting in Gemini.” Gemini’s Notebooks also sync with Google’s NotebookLM AI research tool, meaning sources you add while using one of the apps will show up in both.Gemini’s notebooks are rolling out this week on the web for subscribers of Google’s AI Ultra, Pro, and Plus plans, according to Google. The feature will come to mobile and to free users in the “coming weeks.”#Gemini #notebooks #organize #projectsAI,Google,News,Tech

the company announced on Wednesday. You can pull in things like files, past conversations, and custom instructions into notebooks that Gemini can then use as context while you’re talking with it.

Notebooks sound a lot like ChatGPT’s Projects feature, which launched in 2024 and similarly lets users store things about a certain topic in one spot. Google says to “think of notebooks as personal knowledge bases shared across Google products, starting in Gemini.” Gemini’s Notebooks also sync with Google’s NotebookLM AI research tool, meaning sources you add while using one of the apps will show up in both.

Gemini’s notebooks are rolling out this week on the web for subscribers of Google’s AI Ultra, Pro, and Plus plans, according to Google. The feature will come to mobile and to free users in the “coming weeks.”

#Gemini #notebooks #organize #projectsAI,Google,News,Tech">Gemini gets notebooks to help you organize projects

Google’s Gemini is getting a feature called “notebooks” to help you organize things about certain topics in a single place while using the AI chatbot, the company announced on Wednesday. You can pull in things like files, past conversations, and custom instructions into notebooks that Gemini can then use as context while you’re talking with it.

Notebooks sound a lot like ChatGPT’s Projects feature, which launched in 2024 and similarly lets users store things about a certain topic in one spot. Google says to “think of notebooks as personal knowledge bases shared across Google products, starting in Gemini.” Gemini’s Notebooks also sync with Google’s NotebookLM AI research tool, meaning sources you add while using one of the apps will show up in both.

Gemini’s notebooks are rolling out this week on the web for subscribers of Google’s AI Ultra, Pro, and Plus plans, according to Google. The feature will come to mobile and to free users in the “coming weeks.”

#Gemini #notebooks #organize #projectsAI,Google,News,Tech

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