What the film is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is beautiful to look at and that beauty shines through in this Blu-ray presentation. Tuscany is shown to be absolutely gorgeous (as are the other parts of Italy we see), and the rich hues present in the transfer make it seem the idyllic location Frances would have it be. The transfer is also free of scratches, dirt, and other imperfections. Grain hasn't been overly removed from the movie and there are lots of small details present in the house and on characters' faces. The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio soundtrack is, if not terribly full, certainly a good complement to the movie. The surrounds do come alive during a terrible thunderstorm but generally are present more for basic ambiance than anything else. Free of imperfections and well-mixed, it does exactly what it needs to do and nothing more.
The Blu-ray release is lacking, however, when it comes to bonus features. There is a commentary track from Wells as well as a couple of deleted scenes and an older behind-the-scenes featurette which runs slightly more than nine minutes. Semi-illuminating and semi-frustrating (some of what is apparently supposed to come across in the film doesn't), it is little more than a run of the mill look at the making of the movie.
There is a lot which Under the Tuscan Sun does well, but one of those things is not, in my estimation, its ending. The movie to that point has chosen to not be one big, happy, everything will be all right affair. Before the credits roll though it backs out of that with one schmaltzy moment too many. Is it, as I asked above, a positive representation of a free and independent and smart and worldly woman? I would say that for the most part it is but it's not something I feel with enough conviction to strongly defend my opinion. I will, however, say that the on the whole the film is more good than bad and worth watching for its look at some gorgeous country and some good performances if nothing else. It is the journey in Under the Tuscan Sun which is worth taking, not necessarily the destination at which the film arrives.
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