Film Review

Title: When in Rome

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Stars: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Will Arnett

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Studio:Touchstone Pictures

Audience Suitability: PG

Running Time: 91 Minutes

Release Date: Jan. 29, 2010

Reviewed by Robert Waldman

Scenic Rome provides the perfect backdrop for When in Rome, a whimsical new comedy.

Energy and intelligence both go into the script for this flighty romance charmer. A slow start, a strong middle and fast finish applies to horse racing, as with When in Rome. Here director Mark Steven Johnson (Ghost Rider) embarks on the tricky world of comedy and rises to the occasion as we encounter an out-of-touch down on her luck lady who can’t seem to do anything right in the romantic arena. When it comes to love, poor Beth seems destined to singledom (or is that single doom?) forever, and thanks to the performance of Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), who continues to grow as an actress, you can sense her angst.

Workaholic Beth is conflicted over the pressure she’s been receiving to get married. Never mind she’s a yuppy with a big job in New York. Now we’ve all seen this plot before, both on screen and dare I say in real life. Heck, friends of ours may have fallen into the same trap of being alone, getting depressed and thinking that special someone will never arrive at our doorstep. When in Rome raises the stakes opens up more ridiculous doors as Beth makes a fateful mistake one drink soaked evening.

While whooping it up on a holiday in Italy our misplaced New Yorker decides to try her luck – not at the gambling tables but at a traditional fountain where the custom of tossing a coin in the drink is supposed to grant a special wish for love. What follows is wacky in the extreme as some men believe they’ve been selected for a life together – with Beth the unsuspecting future wife. 

Back in New York Beth must face off with this group of crazed suitors. Each of these guys are well-written and played in over the top fashion by a group of men. Naturally, one of these men may be more suitable for Beth than the others and the fun is trying to figure out what will happen at the end. Yes, the whole idea is corny and preposterous, but thanks to the two leads you believe and eat the whole thing up. Some will get a kick out of the special moments that pop up and confound Beth who by then is a basket case with her own feelings scattered in a thousand directions.

True love is hard to find and handsome Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton) does his best to prove his worth to Beth. Together or apart, this romance-in-the-making works with Bell and Duhamel seem a good match and each ably goes through the laughter, pain and sorrow that’s all part of the mating process. Outside forces add to the intensity of their romance with Danny DeVito (Romancing the Stone), Jon Heder (Blades of Glory) and Will Arnett (G-Force) at the ready with their own humourous passion plays. Now some of the other would-be suitors for Beth aren’t as funny as this trio, and a touch of repetitiveness seeps in at certain times. And ice queens everywhere have nothing on Anjelica Huston (Blood Work), whose role as Beth’s boss can stare daggers with the best of them.

Watch out for some hilarious cameo appearances and the end credits that further showcases the energy of When in Rome. Shot on location you’ll also appreciate the great cinematography of this beautiful city whose history and romantic places will make you wish you’re on a flight to Italy real soon.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com

Written by :

mutuel

 

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