Arts

You, Me & Tuscany
Director: Kat Coiro
Will Packer Productions, Universal Studios
In Theaters: 04.10.2026

A long-held notion within the current film social media-scape is that the romantic comedy is essentially dead. While I can point to many contemporary films that prove that notion wrong, it would be dishonest for me to say that these complaints are unfounded. I would point to last year’s Materialists as the perfect example of the themes relevant in today’s romantic comedies. It feels introspective, while also interrogating the importance of love within the current economic and social landscape. It is a movie that asks the audience to interrogate their expectations and boundaries around love, which is also why it inspired so much division and discourse upon its release, because it asked the question, “What does it mean to fall in love in this day and age?” The truth is that the romantic comedies that so many people yearn for make love look easy; they harken back to the early 2000s, where falling in love was the easy part, everyone was wearing magazine-worthy outfits and all of it was about simply fixing any external obstacles that stood in the way of that love just to get to the happy ending. The good news is, You, Me & Tuscany fully delivers on those requests.

Anna Montgomery (Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid, The Color Purple) is an aspiring chef working gigs as a housesitter. Due to the untimely loss of her mother, she lives vicariously through her clients’ luxurious lives. After getting fired by one of her clients, Anna heads to the hotel her friend Claire (Aziza Scott, One of Them Days) works at and meets Matteo Costa (Lorenzo de Moor, Another Simple Favor), a handsome Italian actively avoiding his family’s expectations. After talking about each other’s hopes and dreams, Anna feels inspired to finally travel to Tuscany and reignite her culinary passion. However, due to her on-the-whim decision, Anna has nowhere to stay once she arrives, so she breaks into Matteo’s vacant villa as a last-ditch solution. Her problems only compound after Matteo’s family mistakes Anna for his fiancée, and she develops feelings for Matteo’s cousin/adoptive brother, Michael (Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton, Dungeons & Dragons), all while trying to keep up her charade.

You, Me & Tuscany is a love letter to the romantic comedies of the late 90s and early 2000s. For better or worse, it follows the tropes and formulas of those films to a tee: take a plucky young heroine, a wacky situation and a model-level love interest with whom she doesn’t get along at first, add a dusting of comedic hijinks for good measure and you have yourself a perfectly breezy watch. All the things you could want from a romantic comedy of that caliber are here. It gives people the fantasy of finding love in an unexpected yet beautiful place, where everything else just melts away. 

My main criticism of the movie may not even come from the film itself, but rather my own clouded vision living in these times. While I don’t need there to be explicit mentions of the trials and tribulations of current events, it is obvious that these characters live in a world divorced from reality. I mean, once Anna gets to Tuscany, everyone there speaks perfect English. This is indicative of the film’s main flaw: it’s all too easy. Yes, Anna’s character has dealt with tragedy, and while there are scenes that explore that, it all feels more like set dressing rather than something to overcome. For some, that may work, especially in a world where Black women are expected to perform at a higher level than their white counterparts just to earn the same rewards; this sort of breezy storytelling is a welcome change of pace. This might also be the time to mention that writer-director Nina Lee revealed that the future of her project and any other Black-led project is contingent on the success of this film, even though many other Black filmmakers have nothing to do with this film. It’s a searing reminder that for Black-led films, being great still isn’t good enough. 

Despite that, the film has many positives. Bailey and Page are both equally charming, and their chemistry is palpable from their first interaction. They play off each other well, as well as with the rest of the cast, who offer up plenty of jokes. The lighting is also a highlight as the scenes are drenched in rich and warm colors that make the film feel inviting. Bailey plays a bubbly and clever character well, and it is easy to root for her, even during her more questionable decisions. All in all, You, Me & Tuscany offers something familiar yet comforting. It wraps you up in a warm hug and encourages you to chase your dreams and find fulfillment in the places you least expect. For as by the numbers as it is, there is a beauty in its simplicity. —Angela Garcia

Read more film reviews by Angela Garcia:
Film Review: Forbidden Fruits
Last Call for Secondhand Screenings!

by: Tim Fox

Posted: May 5, 2026 / 12:12 PM EDT

Updated: May 5, 2026 / 12:54 PM EDT

(WSYR-TV) — An apex is the highest level, the ultimate height and Charlize Theron says the action-thriller currently on Netflix may just be the ultimate filmmaking experience in her distinguished career. She plays a woman seeking solitude, only to end up in a cat-and-mouse game opposite a hunter played by Taron Edgerton. Our ‘Movie Guy’ Brian Miller is here with his take on “Apex.”

Contenders are lined up for the 79th Tony Awards.

Tony nominee Uzo Aduba and Tony winner Darren Criss on Tuesday morning announced nominees live on CBS and YouTube. Musicals “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” led nominations with 12 each, and “Ragtime” was close behind with 11. “Death of a Salesman,” “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “The Rocky Horror Show” tied with nine. Rose Byrne (“Fallen Angels”) and John Lithgow (“Giant”), among other stars, earned acting nods.

Qween Jean, Linda Cho, Heather Gilbert, Adam Honoré and Kai Harada were among the nominees for two different productions.

Like last year, several acting categories featured Hollywood heavyweights, including Byrne, who earned an Oscar nomination for her turn in Mary Bronstein’s psychological drama “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” With her nod for “Fallen Angels,” Byrne became the first woman to secure Oscar and Tony nominations in the same year since Laurie Metcalf in 2018 for “Lady Bird” and “Three Tall Women.” Metcalf herself was nominated in the featured actress category for “Death of a Salesman.”

In another milestone, 96-year-old June Squibb unseated Lois Smith as the oldest Tony-nominated actor in history for “Marjorie Prime.” Serendipitously, Smith originated Squibb’s role in the play in 2014.

Other headline nominees included Lesley Manville (“Oedipus”), Nathan Lane (“Death of a Salesman”), Daniel Radcliffe (“Every Brilliant Thing”) and Stephanie Hsu (“The Rocky Horror Show”).

Another notable name surrounding Tuesday’s announcement was producer Scott Rudin, who recently returned to Broadway after stepping back following allegations of abusive behavior. This cycle, Rudin produced nominees “Little Bear Ridge Road” and “Death of a Salesman,” both of which were recognized by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle.

The 79th Tony Awards will return to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on June 7. The ceremony, hosted by Pink, will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Here is the complete list of nominees.

Play

“The Balusters”
“Giant”
“Liberation”
“Little Bear Ridge Road”

Musical

“The Lost Boys”
“Schmigadoon!”
“Titaníque”
“Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”

Revival of a play

Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”
Gina Gionfriddo, “Becky Shaw”
Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe, “Every Brilliant Thing”
“Fallen Angels”
Robert Icke, “Oedipus”

Revival of a musical

“Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
“Ragtime”
Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show”

Performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical

Sara Chase, “Schmigadoon!”
Stephanie Hsu, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Caissie Levy, “Ragtime”
Marla Mindelle, “Titaníque”
Christiani Pitts, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”

Performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical

Nicholas Christopher, “Chess”
Luke Evans, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Joshua Henry, “Ragtime”
Sam Tutty, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”
Brandon Uranowitz, “Ragtime”

Performance by an actress in a leading role in a play

Rose Byrne, “Fallen Angels”
Carrie Coon, “Bug”
Susannah Flood, “Liberation”
Lesley Manville, “Oedipus”
Kelli O’Hara, “Fallen Angels”

Performance by an actor in a leading role in a play

Will Harrison, “Punch”
Nathan Lane, “Death of a Salesman”
John Lithgow, “Giant”
Daniel Radcliffe, “Every Brilliant Thing”
Mark Strong, “Oedipus”

Book of a musical

David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, “The Lost Boys”
Cinco Paul, “Schmigadoon!”
Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue, “Titaníque”
Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”

Original score

Music: Caroline Shaw, “Death of a Salesman”
Music: Steve Bargonetti, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”
Music and lyrics: The Rescues, “The Lost Boys”
Music and lyrics: Cinco Paul, “Schmigadoon!”
Music and lyrics: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”

Performance by an actor in a featured role in a play

Christopher Abbott, “Death of a Salesman”
Danny Burstein, “Marjorie Prime”
Brandon J. Dirden, “Waiting for Godot”
Alden Ehrenreich, “Becky Shaw”
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”
Richard Thomas, “The Balusters”

Performance by an actress in a featured role in a play

Betsy Aidem, “Liberation”
Marylouise Burke, “The Balusters”
Aya Cash, “Giant”
Laurie Metcalf, “Death of a Salesman”
June Squibb, “Marjorie Prime”

Performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, “The Lost Boys”
André De Shields, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Bryce Pinkham, “Chess”
Ben Levi Ross, “Ragtime”
Layton Williams, “Titaníque”

Performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical

Shoshana Bean, “The Lost Boys”
Hannah Cruz, “Chess”
Rachel Dratch, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Ana Gasteyer, “Schmigadoon!”
Nichelle Lewis, “Ragtime”

Scenic design of a play

Hildegard Bechtler, “Oedipus”
Takeshi Kata, “Bug”
David Korins, “Dog Day Afternoon”
Chloe Lamford, “Death of A Salesman”
David Rockwell, “Fallen Angels”

Scenic design of a musical

dots, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Soutra Gilmour, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”
Rachel Hauck, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Dane Laffrey, “The Lost Boys”
Scott Pask, “Schmigadoon!”

Costume design of a play

Brenda Abbandandolo, “Dog Day Afternoon”
Qween Jean, “Liberation”
Jeff Mahshie, “Fallen Angels”
Emilio Sosa, “The Balusters”
Paul Tazewell, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”

Costume design of a musical

Linda Cho, “Ragtime”
Linda Cho, “Schmigadoon!”
Qween Jean, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Ryan Park, “The Lost Boys”
David I. Reynoso, “The Rocky Horror Show”

Lighting design of a play

Isabella Byrd, “Dog Day Afternoon”
Natasha Chivers, “Oedipus”
Stacey Derosier, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”
Heather Gilbert, “Bug”
Heather Gilbert, “The Fear of 13”
Jack Knowles, “Death of A Salesman”

Lighting design of a musical

Kevin Adams, “Chess”
Jane Cox, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Donald Holder, “Schmigadoon!”
Adam Honoré, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Adam Honoré and Donald Holder with 59 Studio, “Ragtime”
Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, “The Lost Boys”

Sound design of a play

Justin Ellington, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”
Tom Gibbons, “Oedipus”
Lee Kinney, “The Fear of 13”
Josh Schmidt, “Bug”
Mikaal Sulaiman, “Death of a Salesman”

Sound design of a musical

Kai Harada, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Kai Harada, “Ragtime”
Adam Fisher, “The Lost Boys”
Brian Ronan, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Walter Trarbach, “Schmigadoon!”

Direction of a play

Nicholas Hytner, “Giant”
Robert Icke, “Oedipus”
Kenny Leon, “The Balusters”
Joe Mantello, “Death of A Salesman”
Whitney White, “Liberation”

Direction of a musical

Michael Arden, “The Lost Boys”
Lear deBessonet, “Ragtime”
Christopher Gattelli, “Schmigadoon!”
Tim Jackson, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”
Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”

Choreography

Christopher Gattelli, “Schmigadoon!”
Ellenore Scott, “Ragtime”
Ani Taj, “The Rocky Horror Show”
Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, “The Lost Boys”

Orchestrations

Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, “Schmigadoon!”
Ethan Popp, Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez and Gabriel Mann, “The Lost Boys”
Lux Pyramid, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”
Brian Usifer, “Chess”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder and Doug Schadt, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”