Article: 'TUSCAN SUN' ADAPTATION UNDERWHELMING DIANE LANE IS THE SAVING GRACE OF "UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN," WHETHER SUCCUMBING TO THE CHARMS OF A HOT-BLOODED MEDITERRANEAN (RAOUL BOVA, ABOVE RIGHT) OR TRYING TO TALK HER WAY OUT OF A SPEEDING TICKET.(RHYTHM)

Byline: Rob Thomas

You just know that at some point during the studio meetings where they green-lighted "Under the Tuscan Sun," some executive said, "Are we sure it has to be set in Tuscany? 'Under the Toronto Sun' would be a lot cheaper."

They've changed just about everything else in adapting Frances Mayes' best-selling travel memoirs about moving to northern Italy and renovating a rundown villa. I haven't read Mayes' books, but fans say the strength of the books is her charming and descriptive writing style, as she revels in the delicious food, beautiful landscapes, colorful characters, and languid pace of Tuscany life.

Of course, "languid" ...

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