In the romantic and tragic Danish film Toscana, a chef from Denmark is unhappy with his life until he learns that his father’s Tuscany property has been given to him. The only relative he has is his mother, who resides with him. She is the one who convinces Theo to go back, along with Merle, Theo’s companion.
Two-Michelin starred chef Theo Dahl and his partner Merle own and operate a fine dining establishment in Denmark. Even though Sophia, Pino’s fiancée, vehemently disagrees with this choice, Pino, the lawyer, is required to follow out his wishes as stated in the will when it specifies that the estate would be transferred to him. Theo returns to the estate later in the film to establish a new legacy in his native Italy, revealing a softer side of himself that he had never known. Let’s examine how he starts his quest for the truth.
Warning: Major Spoilers
What does 2-Michelin-star Chef Theo Dahl do to redeem the Ristonchi Estate s value?
Theo Dahl is a chef with a Michelin star who is unhappy. Compared to his fellow chefs, who honour his commitments, he is tense and too cautious. Because of how highly they value him, even a simple two-word complement is a significant win for them. Perfection is his middle name, and he could have an obsession with some things, much to the chagrin of those around him. Theo learns through a letter that his father has passed away and that his father’s inheritance has been given to him as his partner, Merle, is trying to convince him to act appropriately when an investor and his girlfriend visit.
Theo’s motivation is derived by feelings of abandonment from his upbringing. He has only himself to thank for getting him to where he is now—his pursuit of perfection. Theo has a past he does not want to relive, hence he does not want to be involved in the estate. He shows the letter to his mother. His mother and Merle get along famously. He should go back to the estate and see what needs to be done, his mother explains calmly. Later, when he chats with Merle, she suggests that he hire a lawyer and sell the estate since, as a result of his fury, he lost an investor by the name of Marcus.
Theo decides to return to the estate after being forced into a corner by his interactions with the investor. He immediately heads to the estate after arriving in town in an effort to get in touch with Pino Conte, the attorney who drafted the letter. He takes a break to have dinner at the estate’s restaurant in the meanwhile. When his dinner is delivered, he complains loudly that the ice in the glass shouldn’t be there before the water is added. The manager finds this annoying. When the manager takes Theo’s card, something happens.
Theo fails to recognise an old crush on a young girl when manager Sophia runs into an old friend. He is surprised when she tells him the lunch bill is on the house after learning who he is. Theo tells Pino that he wants to sell as soon as possible when they meet. Pino reassures him that the process would take time and that he is aware of the cost. Theo consents to remain to make sure the sale goes off without a hitch.
Sophia tells Theo he can’t just sell the estate without first figuring out how much it’s worth to the people who have lived there for so long when they meet with him again after Theo has thoroughly cleaned the kitchen. She disagrees with Theo, who asserts that the business is struggling to stay afloat. Sophia feels disheartened in light of everything she has done for the community. The next morning, laughing greets Theo as he awakens. He hears the children laughing and giggling as they play with Sophia. He approaches her on the ground but first asks how the estate’s preparations are doing.
She alerts him of the impending nuptials, taking care not to reveal that she is being married to Pino. When he enters the kitchen, a dreadful menu is being made. After being told plainly that this cuisine cannot be served, Sophia storms off. She claims she cannot feed even 50 people because she cannot afford anything extra and feels dejected. Theo discovers that Sophia is getting married to Pino while they are out hunting with the sous chef. He is shocked by this after finding out that Sophia has bet her entire savings on the estate. After she ran away from her parents, the estate became her home for peace and development.
Theo realises that he needs alter his attitude toward her, and he starts to position himself so that he might help her while still preserving his main purpose for being there. He starts to get close to Sophia as soon as he finds a picture of the two of them holding hands when they were younger. Theo then has a flashback of Sophia as a young girl when she admits that they got along well back then.
They start to get closer and closer. Choosing to prepare food for her wedding. However, he doesn’t mention meeting a potential buyer for the Ristonchi estate with whom he is set to close a deal. The investor will only make a pricey acquisition if he is happy with the idea that the estate’s spirit must be restored through the cuisine and service offered during the wedding.
One day prior to the wedding, he kisses Sophia while finishing up dinner preparations while hiding his true intentions for the estate. She pulls away, but while he keeps apologising, she kisses him once more. The following morning, when Theo awakens, he finds Sophia wearing her wedding dress. She confronts him about the real reason for the estate when he approaches her. She smacks him as he reveals his true intentions, which may be her worst nightmare. He tells her that he cannot stay with her and fail. She reluctantly says, “I do,” to marry Pino at the altar later, during the wedding. Theo accepts the knife even if it pierces his heart. At the wedding, Theo’s friend Merle notices that Sophia might have kissed Theo, starting an affair. Theo prepared food is served at the wedding meal. Theo decides to give a speech once his buyer verifies that the meal is suited for heaven. It appears that Theo can sell his estate at a time when he is most exposed. After giving a solemn toast to the bride and groom, Theo must decide what to do with the money he just received when the transaction is made. One wonders if his heart is in buying a new house on his recently sold land or in Denmark.
Toscana Ending Explained: Does Sophia return to Theo?
Theo doesn’t mention his love for Sophia in his mournful toast on how terrible his life has been while intoxicated. When he gets to the pool, he dips his legs first before slumping in. His assistant chef from his Danish restaurant, Vincent, rescues him by rescuing him from the pool. He tries to locate Sophia the following morning, but she has already packed her things and left with Pino.
Theo leaves everything behind and heads back to Denmark. He treats his staff members with kindness. He gains their trust as they teach him the techniques of Tuscan cookery while cooking alongside him on his farm. Theo feels himself beginning to change, and he appreciates the warmth he is feeling. Theo struggles to believe that he wants to go back to the estate and that leaving it was the worst thing he has ever done as this emotion grows stronger.
The architect is standing next to Merle when he looks to Theo for approval. The architect’s face is similar to a boat drifting aimlessly at sea. She acknowledges that he finds this upsetting and counsels him to follow his heart. He offers to make a deal with Marcus after apologising to him. Selling his home brings in some cash for him.
He then goes back to the estate where he finds Pino talking to the new owner. When Pink recognises him, he strikes him, and the two get into a horrific fight. Theo keeps apologising to Pino for what happened as they fall into the ocean. Pino rants at him, accusing him of betraying his trust and saying Sophia had left him. He is torn apart. Theo, though, stays focused and calls Marcus to let the current owner of the estate know that he will receive twice as much as he paid for it originally. After the present owner has signed off, the estate is given back to Theo.
After Theo gets things going, Sophia drives herself back to her house in a car. She encounters Theo and observes the changes he has made to the land. Theo is aware that for them, this is a new beginning. Sophia tells him that this is her fresh beginning and that she needed time to find herself. After starting a degree programme, she desired to take a trip throughout the summer break. She gladly accepts Theo’s invitation to work as a hostess. She gives Theo a big smile as she enters the estate, her second home.
Final Words
The movie features food, exotic settings, music, and tenderness in all its manifestations. You discover that Tuscany’s delicacy should be enjoyed in all of its visual and acoustic manifestations. We may unwind in the current sweltering heat and let our minds wander on vacation with this movie because Toscana successfully depicts the culture and makes the characters blend in.
The narrative follows a chef as he battles the demons of his past while juggling adult obligations. He finds a way to incorporate everyone in the process of accepting the old and making it his own with the person he is learning to become. When you have people on your side, no obstacle appears insurmountable. His business partner is his best supporter, but it makes us wonder if we have that element in our life as well. If we don t, we ll have to find it quickly. A lovely film with a tempo that transports you to a vacation, making it a highly recommended must-see.
Toscana is a 2022 Drama Romance film directed by Mehdi Avaz.
