Welcome to another Movie Monday, when I feature the houses from our favorite films. Under the Tuscan Sun, a movie (loosely) based on the memoir by Frances Mayes and starring Diane Lane, is a perfect “house movie.” After divorcing her cheating husband, Frances takes a trip to Italy, falls in love with an abandoned villa, and decides to buy it. As she restores the house, her life undergoes a kind of renovation of its own.
We get a glimpse of the home she shared with her husband as she’s packing up to leave:
Frances takes nothing but some boxes of her personal things and this blue vase. She pulls the flowers out of it and dumps the water on the floor before walking out:
Her best friend Patti is played by Sandra Oh of “Grey’s Anatomy.” In the movie, she’s in a relationship with Grace, played by Kate Walsh, who starred on “Grey’s Anatomy,” too, before getting her own spin off (”Private Practice”). In the movie, they’re expecting a baby together.
Because of the pregnancy, they give Frances Patti’s ticket to Italy, hoping that a vacation is just what she needs to get her life moving again.
While she’s there, Frances looks at the real estate listings that are posted (how many of us have done this on vacations, too?). She sees one she likes, for a villa called “Bramasole:”
Later, the tour bus pulls up next to the villa. She shouts, “Stop the bus!”
She steps inside and looks around:
It needs work, but Frances sees the potential in the old house:
She buys it on the spot, despite the pigeons that are living there (and one that was particularly rude to her when flying overhead):
After signing the papers, Frances tries to come to grips with the fact that she just bought the rundown villa:
She starts cleaning things up and taking inventory of all the things left behind, like bottles of wine:
And stacks of old newspapers:
She hires a team of Polish workers who don’t speak much English:
Frances says she wishes she had somebody to cook for. Then she realizes that she does have someone she can feed: her workers!
The workers set up a makeshift table for lunch:
The meals that she cooks for them are so good, they applaud. (I wish someone would applaud one of my meals around here–just once! I usually get comments like, “Why couldn’t we order pizza?” and “Pot roast again?!” But I digress.)
Her pregnant friend Patti (Sandra Oh) appears on her doorstep one day. Her girlfriend Grace (Kate Walsh) has left her, deciding she’s not ready for motherhood (this plot point was hard for me to buy, but whatever–it was a way to bring Patti back into Frances’s life). She moves into the villa’s blue bedroom:
Frances’s writing room:
Patti points out that there is steam coming up from the toilet, which probably indicates that there is something amiss:
A view of the living room, looking into the dining room:
My apologies to Diane Lane for this horrible photo of her. I was concentrating on the kitchen in the background and not her face when I snapped it!
Patti dances with her new baby under the wisteria arbor:
The writer and director of the film, Audrey Wells, says that they didn’t actually change much of the house during filming to show the before and after. They just cleaned it up a little and “filmed it in warmer, prettier light,” she says, to make it look like the rooms had been renovated.
The front door:
Frances’s room (love her white dress):
Also love the church that Frances’s young friends get married in, so I had to snap a photo of it for you, too:
Frances hosts the wedding reception in her garden, where she meets an American writer played by David Sutcliffe (who coincidentally appeared in “Private Practice” with Kate Walsh–small acting world!).
You can see how much her terrace has been transformed since she bought it:
Frances steps out onto her balcony and we get a glimpse of the side of the house:
A close-up of Frances’s desk with her finished manuscript for Under the Tuscan Sun on it:
Who wouldn’t want to buy a villa here? Gorgeous!
A reader sent me a wonderful photo of the actual villa (thanks, Joanie!). She says, “We visited Cortona a few years ago and stayed at a hotel very near to Bramasole. The picture is from the car window, as I was trying to be nonchalant!”
Diane Lane has starred in several other movies that feature beautiful homes, too such as Must Love Dogs and Nights in Rodanthe. Which of her movie houses is your favorite?
Visit my TV/Movie Houses page for links to all the others I’ve featured so far, from Sabrina to You’ve Got Mail.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post! I absolutely loved that villa. I stayed at a villa near that one in Cortona. It is so idyllic. Thanks. Beautiful pictures!
Jess´s last blog ..My Renovation: The Fireplace
Gosh, isn’t that beautiful and surreal?
As for the “bad” picture that you snapped of Diane in the kitchen, I wish I looked half that good in my bad pictures. *sigh*
oh goodness, this is one of my favorite girly movies….oh to be able to have a villa like that all to myself! **sigh** amazing! thank you for sharing, this post makes me think I need to watch this movie again! Hope you had a good weekend~
Tara´s last blog ..Tara’s Vintgae Kitchen~
* I “DITTO DAWN”!!! Thanks! Fuuuun read ~ almost better than the movie!!!
Best, Linda in AZ *
Sign me up for a trip to Tuscany!
I laughed when I read the part about the kids whining about dinner. My oldest always wants pizza or a “pie” (pot pie). Go figure. I’ve never had a standing ovation either. I had no idea that Kate Walsh was in this film. Love her! Sandra Oh is great…I need to put this movie on my list to see. 
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Unexpected Thrifty Treasures
I remember this movie! The house, of course, is charming, but what a huge headache to take on, especially in a foreign language. But the terrace is really stunning in those ‘after’ pictures.
I’ve seen Must Love Dogs but don’t remember the house.. I’ll go check that out now!
Struggler´s last blog ..How to achieve blog-life balance
“unfaithful” is my fave diane lane movie house.. she also stars in that with richard gear.
B.´s last blog ..HELP!
God, unfaithful, wow. that was sexy.
ok – loved this loved this!!! did you notice how darling her kitchen sink was? so cute. loved this movie.
joni webb´s last blog ..Kips Bay: A Listener Weighs In – revised
Awesome stills from the movie! I loved thatg movie and have watched it many times and wished… Thanks for sharing it with photos…
Have a great week!
~Really Rainey~
~Really Rainey~´s last blog ..Mosaic Monday!
I think I have to see that movie! Thank you so much for sharing
Dagny @ Beautiful Living´s last blog ..Tim Irwing Photography Art Giveaway! / Ett av disse fantastiske fotografiene av Tom Irwing kan bli ditt!
I wish there was a key on my keyboard that I could tap and it would automatically print out “Be still my beating heart!” It’s now official; you spookily know what I need a fix of on Mondays before I even do! This reminds me (don’t hate me) of my godmother’s sister’s house in Greece and a house we house-sat for a friend when we were living and working in Portugal. Same coloured exterior walls, rundown interiors, overgrown gardens and oh those beautiful green shutters! After I submit this, I’m going to add it to our DVD order list at Love film.com.
Thank you! It doesn’t feel bad to be an addict over here.
janice´s last blog ..Attacking Anchors in the Attic
Well, I haven’t seen this movie (gasp!) but this house is a dream for me. Truly and absolutely my favorite.
Suzann @ The Olive Cottage´s last blog ..K is for…
I love this movie. I watched it because the poster was so pretty and fell in love with the setting. I so want to go buy a villa somewhere and restore it. Of course I need copious amounts of money, but hey, if I’m dreaming, why not? The murals are a bit much for my taste, but that blue bathtub gets me every time. Oh, and the poppy fields! The poppy fields. So pretty.
Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..Roman Fest in Trier: Part I
Ooooh one of my favorite posts yet Julia! I will stand up and clap for you! Even though I’d rather eat pizza most nights too…I’m such a kid at heart. Hehe. This house was just lovely – and that’s really amazing that they didn’t really do a lot of work to it – just shot it in better light? Wow! Loved it!
christy´s last blog ..What’s a girl (triathlete-to-be) to wear?
Oh…you had me from the first paragraph…I think someone just loned this to me…I’ve never seen it. Maybe a glass of wine, and hiding away in the bedroom to watch it!
Linda@Lime in the Coconut´s last blog ..And the search continues…
I think this movie has my favorite house in it. Although I have a love affair with the beach and am partial to the house in Nights in Rodanthe.
Rachel´s last blog ..I Finally Broke
I love this movie, I think I’ve watching it at least 5 times. I fell in love with the villa, I think it’s a star in its own right. I love Diane Lane too, she’s such a believeable actress. Thanks for this post… I loved reliving the movie again!
Love the recap Julia! I will watch this for the 3rd time tonight. I loved it!! I thought how nice it would be to own a villa in Italy….and then cook Italian all day all night. Can’t get enough!!!!!!
Suzy´s last blog ..Sunday Morning Cinnabuns…
Thanks Julia! What great pics. I loved this movie it was so much fun to watch the transformation. The iron bed in the blue bedroom is the best. I love the bungalow in Must Love Dogs, but I think this house is more interesting, because of the story. Thanks again, great post.
Janet´s last blog ..Weekend time…
Thank you Julia. I’ve been waiting for this one. It’s one of my all time favorite movies and that house and Italy and Diane Lane…ahhh I just love it. I bought this movie years ago and have watched it countless times. I don’t know what excites me more, the idea of your life completely changing and moving to a new country or the beautiful countryside and gorgeous villa. It’s just so exciting.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Free Fallin’
I have never seen this movie, but this makes me want to run out and rent it! I really don’t care at all about the plot – I just want to see the beautiful Italian scenery. Or maybe I’ll somehow convince my husband we should take another trip to Italy instead! He would probably rather pay for a European trip than sit through a chick flick!
Britt´s last blog ..Sunday Morning
THANK YOU!! I loved that movie and it was great to revisit!!
your just the best about house blogging, you know…
xoxo
coastalnest
I love this movie – I think I’ve watched it 100 times. Great post.
This is absolutely my favorite movie house. The fields, the home, the wine, it’s just perfect. By the way, I’ve seen this movie a million times and never noticed there was a bidet in the bathroom.
If you have a moment, come over and enter my giveaway taking place on my blog. I think you’ll like it…
http://songbirdtiff.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-time-for-giveaway_17.html
songbirdtiff´s last blog ..It’s Time for a Giveaway!
One of my all time fav movies for sure. Randy and I wanted to pack a suitcase and fly over right away to Tuscany. We will go one day.
Did you know Sandra Oh is Canadian? Yup just like me.
Thanks for the great shots… I loved it.
Happy MM
Love Claudie from Canada
xo
P.S. I have heard so much about you & here I am. I will be back.
Hi Julia,
I’m so, so glad to have met you through blogging…and very much think of you as a dear friend! 
Thanks so much for answering all my silly questions through this first year of blogging! 
Susan
You’ve featured one of my favorite movies and favorite homes! Thank you for capturing all these great pics! Diane Lane was so perfect for the part, wasn’t she? I always love any movie she’s in. I love that dress she is wearing at the end when she meets the writer. Thanks so much for the comment you left earlier…made me smile and almost cry…all at the same time!
Susan´s last blog ..Welcome to the 31st Metamorphosis Monday and A Give-a-Way for Blogoversary Week!
I read this book before it became a movie. It was more of a travel memoir, but I loved it. Then I saw the movie and fell in love with it, too. I’d give anything to do something like Frances Mays did…especially if it included romance and attractive men like the movie offered! ; )
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog ..Bubbles!!!
I loved this movie. I have always paid attention to the houses/sets on movies and thought I was weird…I love that fact that you actually have a blog that focuses on such things and now I know there is nothing wrong with me.
I think it is so sad about the beach house in Rodanthe.
Hi Julia,
I love this post! Under the Tuscan Sun is one of my favorite movies. In fact, (confession time), we even drove by the real Bramasole. It is gorgeous! I have a photo of it and would be happy to share it with you. Just let me know. Love, love, love Movie Mondays!
Joanie at The Bright Side´s last blog ..powder room makeover
I saw this movie twice…, just so I could spend some more time in Tuscany…, and love Diane Lane too.
Love this! I know if I ever get a chance to escape my life, Italy is my destination!
Thanks Julia!
I watched “Practical Magic” with Sandra Bullock & Nicole Kidman for the first time in years this weekend and thought to myself, “I hope Julia uses this house in a blog soon!” I had forgotten how magnificent that old Victorian in the movie truly was. Add it to your list, please?
~Sandy
Joanie–Are you kidding? I’d love to see that!! Thanks so much.
Sandy– I already started researching “Practical Magic”–LOVE that Victorian. I’ve scheduled that post for October. Perfect for Halloween month, don’t you think? -Julia
I just LOVE the way you pull a movie set apart like you do. What a gorgeous Villa! Now, have I ever told you that they filmed at my house last year? John Schneider and Roma Downy were here at my house! My kids even got to be extra’s in the film. I think it was a Hallmark movie called Wedding Dance.
Here’s a link to my story and by the way…….John Schneider is even more handsome in person
http://thegreenhousediaries.blogspot.com/2008/11/john-and-roma-thanks-for-memories.html
Tamara´s last blog ..Another Romantic Trip to Victoria – a Tale of Metamorphosis
Hi Julia
I never read the book, but I love the movie. That home was incredible!
Oh and I wouldn’t be caught dead climbing up a tree either LOL
rue
rue´s last blog ..Overwhelming joy
That home is like living in a dream. It just has that enchanted quality.
-Angela
Angela @ Imaginecozy´s last blog ..A New Shelf in the Kitchen
I had forgotten all about that movie! Now I’m adding it to my Netflix cue…I want to see more of that house!
Deidra´s last blog ..City Girl On The Prairie
We just watched this movie (again!)…it’s my second favorite! You got such great shots of the house! Thanks!
Heather´s last blog ..Happy baby on the go…
Yet another movie I haven’t seen but wanted to. But now that I know that David Sutcliffe is in it I have to rent it. I loved him in Gilmore Girls. I also love the house- it’s fantastic.
Amy´s last blog ..Saturday
Beautiful house aside (and it is beautiful and I would buy it in a second… if I had the $), this is one of those movies that if I am channel surfing and it is on, I will watch it. And I’ve seen it 20 times already!
Robin´s last blog ..Croc-a-doodle-doo
Coming here is like going to the movies with a buch of girls…Fun!!! By the way ..I will be going see the movie Julie and julia. Any good scoop on that one? Have a great one my friend!
Susie Harris´s last blog ..Checkers anyone?
I remember seeing this movie when it came out, and I distinctly remember wishing they’d showed MORE of the house! You got great shots from the film. Thank you for sharing your commentary.
I love this movie! Especially the Polish craftsmen and how they become her new family even though they don’t understand each other at all! And of course it’s wonderful to see Diane Lane’s character renew herself as she resurrects the old house… just in time for the perfect Hollywood ending of meeting a handsome new suitor!
Tracy´s last blog ..See, There is a Chair Under There!
Thanks for featuring this movie, I love it and I think that I will have to dig it out and watch it again! ~ Robyn
Robyn´s last blog ..How I Spent My Summer Vacation… (Part 2) Blue Monday Edition
What a fabulous post. This is one of my favourite movies and I adore the house. Italy was second on my list of places to live but France had a slight edge or should I say it does at present
Leeann´s last blog ..Qu’est-ce que c’est?
I loved that movie… and could definitely see myself in that home and the gorgeous setting. It is stunning isn’t it?
Renae Moore´s last blog ..Coming out of Hiding
This is one of my top 3 movies, I love it!!! Always dream of living here…so glad you chose it for your feature! Love your blog! karen…
karen´s last blog ..A Camping we Will Go!
This is one of my all time favorite movies, mainly because it’s so beautiful!
Christine´s last blog ..Lady Marisa
How come my house doesn’t look that good in “warmer, prettier light” — do I need to hire better lighting people?!
While not my favorite movie I’ve watched it again and again…for the total eye candy. How I’d love to live in Tuscany!
Laura @ the shore house´s last blog ..One cool yard sale.
This is a GREAT movie. Thanks for sharing. I love that pile of bottles in that one picture.
This is my first time to your blog. I hope you will come for a visit.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
Cheri Peoples´s last blog ..Miss G4’s photo session
I love this movie and I loved what they did to the house. Authentic and lovely! Thanks for sharing those great photos! I didn’t realize that David Sutcliffe from Private Practice was the same actor that started in Tuscan Sun. You learn something new every day!
I thought the renovation scenes in the movie was so fully. Love the Villa. Who wouldn’t want to own their own villa.
Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..The Giveaway Post
That house is amazing. Diane Lane is so lovely, too – and I really like that orange dress!
Ms.Tee´s last blog ..Beach goodness – part 2
I like the real story better than the movie…….the movies was so different from the book! But I enjoyed your photos!
PLEASE, check out the house in It’s Complicated!
I will! I get e-mails about it from readers every day. Must be a pretty great house! -Julia