Running Time: 112 minutes (1h, 52 mins.)
Rated R (for some sexual references).
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
The Woodman takes Rome! That should give you a clear idea of what European city he takes on next, after visiting London four times for Match Point, Scoop, Cassandra's Dream and You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, Spain for Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Paris for, of course, Midnight in Paris.
Originally titled Nero Fiddled, To Rome with Love chronicles four separate stories set in the enchanting Italian city. One deals with a clerk (Roberto Benigni) whose life changes when he becomes a celebrity for no apparent reason. Another deals with a retired opera director (Woody Allen) who finds a way to come out of his retirement when he discovers a great voice in his future son-in-law's father. Only thing is he can only do it without fear in the shower.
The third follows a newlywed couple (Alessandro Tiberi and Alessandra Mastronardi) on their honeymoon. Well, it's more or less for the husband to get a prestigious job from his relatives. However once the wife gets lost, things get out of proportion when a prostitute (Penelope Cruz) goes to their hotel room. Suddenly, she acts as the husband's wife when the relatives come along. The fourth is a little hard to explain. Let's just say it's about a architect (Alec Baldwin) who revisits where he lived a year ago. He's introduced to a young couple (Jesse Eisenberg and Greta Gerwig) whose relationship comes to a crack when the girlfriend's best friend (Ellen Page) arrives.
As I mentioned before, none of the stories really have any connection and this was intentional. Aside from the generic title (even Allen himself says he hates it, but ultimately had to settle on it because Nero Fiddled would have been confusing), To Rome with Love almost succeeds. Sure, comparisons to Midnight to Paris are inevitable and while it does lack the certain flow that Paris and previous films of his had, Rome manages to work well all on its own.
I enjoyed three of the stories in the film, my favourite going to Baldwin, Eisenberg, Gerwig and Page. While it can be confusing at times (mostly with Baldwin's character), it's still an interesting setup of a piece that impressed me. The third one involving the couple starts off fine, but then grows dull. Ultimately, it picks back up again. Either way, it's great to these actors do what they do best, especially Woody Allen. Putting himself in his first starring role since Scoop 6 years ago, he proves that even as old as he is, he's still funny, along with Judy Davis, Fabio Armillato, Flavio Parento and Alison Pill, who despite being her second film with Allen, is sadly underused. Roberto Benigni (known best to North American audiences for Life is Beautiful) also hasn't really lost his touch as a comedic actor.
Bottom line: To Rome with Love, as I mentioned before, does lacks the certain flow most of his previous films (yes, including Midnight in Paris). However, I still found it to be an enjoyable comedy. It's not one of Allen's best, and of course he's done better, but I can still recommend it.
Rating: 7/10
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