When In Rome

Synopsis: Magic coins bring the possibility of love to a disillusioned New Yorker on holiday in Rome.

Release Date: January 29, 2010     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Film Review

A genuinely fun romantic comedy has arrived in ‘When In Rome’. I can hardly believe it myself but it is true. The story follows Beth (Kristen Bell) to Rome to attend her sister’s wedding. Beth is a workaholic who has little if any time for romance. She is the cliche romantic comedy lead as her pessimism for love and happily ever after are tainted beyond belief. This is the main reason the audience comes to like her especially. It is not about falling into a man’s arms after a romantic escapade in Rome. This women is cursed, in the worst way. She denounces love and steals coins from the fountain of love; thereby making the men who threw them in follow her back home to New York City to profess their undying love for her. All the while she must also deal with the man she met in Rome making advances. With the band of misfits who have fallen madly in love with her and the adorably sexy appeal of Josh Duhamel (Nick) the movie moves along at breathtaking speed with bouts of comedy at every turn. Bell gives a charmed performance as Beth and every one of the misfits (a model, magician, sausage king, and artist) are uproarious. The “real” romance of the film may be cut too short as it would have been nice to see additional build up between Nick and Beth but you do not for a minute care as the entire film is so enjoyable. This may be what you call a piece of fluff filmmaking but its great fluff and sure to please those looking for a fanciful time in the cineplex.

It is impossible to not love every person in the film together as a whole. They work with each other flawlessly and the main couple, Beth and Nick, are pleasing together. Their screen time may be somewhat limited – or feel that way – but they still have the gravitation towards each other necessary to pull of a romance.

The laughs just keep on coming. Physical comedy, dialogue with wit and fervor, and even some slapstick thrown in. How can I not mention the clown car debacle that is beyond hilarious. The bit has been done before but this time it hits the mark perfectly. Be prepared for a special surprise cameo also. It is priceless.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Mark Steven JohnsonAndrew PanayEzra Swerdlow
• Producer(s): David DiamondDavid WeissmanKristen Bell (Beth)
• Screenwriter(s): Josh Duhamel (Nick)Anjelica Huston (Celeste)Will Arnett (Antonio)
• Story: Jon Heder (Lance)
• Cast: Dax Shepard (Gale) Ryan FolseyJohn BaileyKirk M. Petruccelli
• Editor(s): Sarah Edwards
• Cinematographer: Christopher YoungBrainstorm Digital
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): CIS HollywoodRotoFactory
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USA