You, Me, & Tuscany – A Flim for the Romantic Whimsical Black Girls.

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to see an early screening of You, Me, & Tuscany starring the gorgeous and talented actors, Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page, and this movie may have changed the trajectory of my life — for the better, of course.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the film from Universal Pictures: “Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid, The Color Purple) stars as Anna, a young woman who has abandoned her dreams of becoming a chef and is now drifting through her twenties with a series of bad choices. When Anna loses her house-sitting job (and housing) in one fell swoop, a chance encounter with Matteo—a handsome Italian who happens to have a villa sitting empty in Tuscany—will inspire her to jet off for Italy, against the advice of her always-honest bestie, Claire (Home Before Dark’s Aziza Scott).

But Anna’s plan to crash at Matteo’s villa, without permission, just for one night, falls apart when Matteo’s mother, Gabriella (Italian film icon Isabella Ferrari) shows up at the house unexpectedly. In a panic, Anna allows Gabriella to believe that she is Matteo’s fiancée.

That little lie becomes a big problem, though, when Matteo’s cousin, Michael (Regé-Jean Page; Bridgerton, Black Bag) shows up, and Anna discovers that the heat between them may ignite a fire that will transform her life.”

My Review: I thought this film was so lighthearted and cute. You will catch yourself grinning at the screen without even realizing it. In a world where Black rom coms aren’t as common anymore, this was a breath of fresh air. My favorite part is that there is no unnecessary sadness or trauma. It has its dramatic and emotional moments like any film, but the scenes are realistic and don’t diminish the film’s overall happiness.

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page have undeniable chemistry. Halle’s aura is what I feel truly makes the film, while Regé proves he is the perfect dynamic heartthrob who can pull off sexy romantic scenes and still deliver an amazing emotional performance. They both were truly perfectly cast for their roles. I loved seeing Anna adored by literally everyone and welcomed throughout the movie, especially in a culture different from her own. It made me feel inspired to travel and not be afraid of how I’ll be perceived. Even though it is just a movie, you can’t help but picture yourself as Anna, and have confidence to go after your dreams, even for just a little while. I related to her character so much, being a young Black woman in my 20’s and the dilemmas that come with it. She had to learn from her mistakes and find the courage to stand up for herself and do what she wants.

I was also surprised at how subtly funny it was. Every character, from the best friend to the family and more, has the little moments that make their screen time memorable. My favorite was the bloopers at the end with the tourists at the winery. I also need to give kudos to the costume and set designers. Every outfit that Anna wore, I need it in my closet immediately. I already see so many women planning their summer wardrobes just from the looks in this film. Plus, her locs looked amazing in every scene. The film’s ambiance, with its travel and cooking scenes, was so pleasing to look at. I dream of going to Italy one day just so I can feel that Tuscan aesthetic.

This film reminds me of one of my favorite feel-good films, The Last Holiday (2006), starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. Fun fact: Halle made her first acting appearance in this film, along with her big sis, Chloe Bailey. I watch this film every new year to motivate myself to live my life and achieve my goals. Now, I feel that You, Me, & Tuscany may have to be added to the tradition as well.

It is perfect for the whimsical black girls who have become a recent topic of discussion. These are the girls who may have once felt ashamed of their unique and eccentric personalities but are now embracing them. The girls who are bubbly and joyful but may also be a little awkward or quirky. The girls who don’t fit societal norms or feel disconnected from their peers. The ones who aspire to take risks and want to feel inspired to go after what they want. This film will inspire you to go and take that chance.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an uptick in solo travel among Black women this summer, since I am already planning my trips. It’s important to experience life and even have a little romance on the side if you want. You don’t have to choose; you can have it all and get your happy ending just like Anna. You just might find your Michael, too lol.

This film has already had a significant impact on Black women and the film industry as a whole. People are coming to the theater in droves, while it has debuted with top ratings from critics. It’s surely becoming a box-office hit. Even though some may have doubted the film at first, it has now proven that Black romance is successful. It has now opened the door for more Black-led rom-coms to thrive, and I hope we see more of them in the future. Especially with Halle Bailey playing the leading lady that she is meant to be.

You, Me, & Tuscany is in theaters now. Get your tickets to support this wonderful film today!