A Roman traffic director informs us that he all that happens
in the City of the Seven Hills and introduces us to a series of unconnected stories in the
enchanting city: an opera director (Woody Allen) travelling with his wife (Judy
Davis) sees his next act in the prospective father-in-law (singer Fabio
Armiliato) of his daughter (Alison Pill). An established architect (Alec
Baldwin) encounters a younger one (Jesse Eisenberg) staying in the same flat he
once did and gives him advice as he ponders cheating on his girfriend (Greta
Gerwig) with a sultry actress (Ellen Page). Two young lovers both find
themselves in inexplicable romantic scenarios, he with a gorgeous call girl
(Penelope Cruz) and she with a famous movie star (Antonio Albanese). Finally, a
blowhard middle class man (Roberto Benigni) inexplicably finds himself the most
famous celebrity in town. "To Rome
with Love" is the 43rd film from the durable and inimitable Woody Allen,
and is a blithe love letter in yet another European megalopolis. The locations
and photography look gorgeous, while the various stories are hit or miss, ranging
from quite hilarious to mildly diverting. The segment involving Woody and his
latest inspiration is probably the best and contains the most laughs. The one
involving the two young lovers has its moments (Cruz is delightful) but carries
on way too long before winding up at the expected conclusion. The segment
involving the architects and the one with the schmuck achieving stardom are
examples of juxtaposition done both well and poorly. Baldwin
sort of exists offstage during Eisenberg and Page's affair and the results are
actually pretty comical. Benigni's segment (which may be the most personal for
Woody) is slightly amusing within itself, but doesn't mesh with the rest of the
film, and again goes on for far too long. On the heels of "Midnight in Paris ", people were
expecting another masterpiece, which this is not. Again though, I feel that
people are lowballing this film, simply because it is not one of his grandest
works. With "To Rome with Love", Woody Allen has crafted an amusing
and diverting film, yes not among his greats, but still one that no other
person on the planet is capable of making.
