The magical Diane Lane!

The magical Diane Lane, who reinvented her career a few years ago with movies like Unfaithful, which fetched her an Oscar nomination, almost carries the new film Under The Tuscan Sun on her firm but flexible shoulders. The sentimental but flimsy film, based on Frances Mayes' international bestseller about her own divorce and healing, is directed by a relatively new name, Audrey Wells.

It is often too picturesque, sentimental and many times utterly unconvincing. And yet the sensuality and vulnerability that Lane summons in dealing with her character, whose marriage has been betrayed and who is on the threshold of a new life, are worth the admission price. Because Lane is capable of making the silliest things believable, we do not mind watching a crew of Polish workmen who seem to fall under her spell -- not to forget the Italian men captivated by her. Also, when she has sex after a long time, we have to believe she enjoyed it, thanks to her reaction a little later. Wells shies away from showing Frances' reaction during the act.

In the movie version, which adds some dramatic touches to Mayes' book, an American writer Frances is shamed by a foe into realising that her husband is cheating on her.

Aghast at the betrayal and concomitant developments, she goes to Italy. A lesbian friend Patti (Sandra Oh) who was supposed to take the trip sends Frances instead, encouraging her to put the bitter memories behind her. You can't help wondering here about the innumerable movies and plays in which unhappy characters go to a foreign country in search of nirvana.

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The tour is meant for gays and lesbians, and Patti thinks Frances will not be hit on by anyone. But Frances has another kind of surprise in mind. During the tour, she decides to buy an ancient villa in Tuscany on an impulse.

Renovating the house seems to be even more difficult than she could ever imagine. Her situation becomes worse when a nasty thunderstorm threatens to end her dream of finding serenity and contentment in her new home.

The renovation process allows the film to introduce a raft of characters including illegal Polish workers, leading to Frances getting involved with some of them. Then there is the real estate agent (Vincent Riotta) she might fall in love with if he weren't so devoted to his family. There is also an older British woman (Lindsay Duncan), a flamboyant but faded actress, who is never tired of talking about working for the legendary movie director Fellini. Her character seems to be yet another improbability in the film. The way the director develops it; it feels she is there just to add some comic relief.

Under The Tuscan Sun takes a maudlin turn when the lesbian pal, who had sent Francis on the healing trip, shows up at the villa pregnant and dumped by her own lover.

Despite heartbreaks in Tuscany, Frances finally meets the man she has been yearning for, and director Wells gladly gives the film a happy and predictable ending.

Mayes' book did a better job dealing with matters of faith and serendipity, the power of women bonding and more important, the resilient heart.

But because of its performances -- Duncan and Oh are very good -- sentimentality and dazzling visuals, Under The Tuscan Sun could become a sleeper hit. It may not open to huge numbers but it could be stick around through the Thanksgiving weekend in late November. Soon thereafter, the trade publications will be running For Your Consideration ads, reminding the Oscar and Golden Globe voters of the movie, especially of Diane Lane.

CREDITS
Cast: Diane Lane, Lindsay Duncan, Vincent Riotta, Sandra Oh
Director: Audrey Wells
Writer: Audrey Wells, based on a novel by Frances Mayes
Running time: 1 hour 54 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language.
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures