I’m a sucker for rom-coms; I love how funny they are and how they remind me that I’ll never find love like the main characters do. Although I’ve always wanted to see a rom-com with a black-led couple, luckily, my prayers were answered with the new film You, Me, & Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page. This film was not only needed for rom-com lovers, but it’s also needed for Hollywood to let more Black couples take the stage in these types of films. Seeing this film in a packed theater was the funniest and greatest experience of my life.
The film centers on Anna, played by Bailey, a housesitter with a passion for cooking who cannot pursue it. One day, she meets a cute Italian man named Matteo, who has a villa all to himself in Tuscany, Italy. From this, Anna has the most brilliant idea to fly all the way to Italy and stay at his place by herself. But little did she know that she would soon be faking an engagement to the same man so that the family who visits the villa wouldn’t arrest her for sneaking into it. Under this big lie, Anna then falls in love with another Italian man in the family, Michael, played by Jean Page. From there, a little love tension mounts as Anna finds herself in Italy, living under a gigantic lie.
I was a big fan of this film from the start. I really loved how Bailey is finally spreading her wings more in acting. Especially after her big role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but also the sad news that a musical-led film produced by Pharrell Williams called Golden was scrapped entirely in post-production, in which she was meant to star. So, I was very happy to see Bailey finally get another leading lady moment, and this time it was in the romcom genre. Everything about this film was great, from the setting to the storyline, and more. Not only that, but I also loved the ensemble in this film. Normally, in some rom-coms, the ensemble helps the couple, but doesn’t do much for the plot. The ensemble, or more so the Italian family, really helps boost this film; they also have the funniest gags and really remind you of the importance of family.
Besides that, I really appreciated that this film was led by a Black couple. My friend, Emanique Williams, saw the film hours after my screening, and she felt the same way I did. She said, “I loved the Black love, but also the fact that the parents treated Michael no differently than Matteo, although he was adopted.”
Besides the fun ensemble and storyline, I think it’s saddening that Hollywood is keeping a close eye on this film. It was reported that big studios are monitoring this film before they buy more Black-led rom-coms. Nia Lee, an award-winning Black filmmaker, recently said on X, formerly Twitter, that she met with studio executives to create another Black-led couple film, but studios won’t buy it unless they see how this film performs. Hearing about this is so disheartening. Hollywood wouldn’t mind creating another mindless live-action or sequel, but draws the line when it comes to Black-led rom-coms. It just proves that Hollywood isn’t conveying its values of diversity and inclusion if this is happening.
Emanique also felt the same way when I first told her about it; she said, “I feel like it’s absolutely ridiculous that people are placing unfair expectations on the films when rom-coms are supposed to be carefree.” And I completely agree with this; it’s so unfair that a genre that’s meant to be silly and blissful has to be monitored and watched like a hawk because it’s Black-led. This film would mean so much to young Black audiences who dream of finding love, even if it means flying all the way to Italy for it.
Overall, this film was definitely a good date-night movie, or even a good one to go to by yourself. It’s definitely worth a watch, and it’s deserving of 4/5 stars on Letterboxd.