To Rome with Love

Delightfully funny! The characters in this movie are the highlight and this talented cast really brought out the best in them. Penelope Cruz left me in tears, from laughter, of course. I had to read the English subtitles throughout the movie and still found it hilarious. Good one, Woody, good one!

Coming off of the plane from Paris, Woody Allen takes us into Rome, Italy on a typically Allen-esque adventure with zany and hilarious characters. Although, small in the shadow of Midnight in Paris, Allen proves his continued skill.

Woody Allen continues his tour of Europe (and its backers) with this latest foray to the Eternal City. It follows four stories (some in subtitles): young Americans in love, newlyweds who lose their way, an ordinary man who becomes famous and an undertaker who loves to sing opera. Each unfolds in fluid timelines with casts of well-known actors from both continents. The narratives start out with upbeat promise, but ramble on too long and lack sufficient humor to sustain the momentum. While it's not one of his best, it's fun to see Allen onscreen (giving himself the best lines). Of course, Rome is showcased to lovely advantage and the actors do commendable jobs. Despite the energy, it simply loses steam and stimulation.

The Yin and Yang of contemporary filmmaking: Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and “Midnight In Paris.” The latter is a work of genius; the former is its polar opposite. Midnight in Paris was fluid, inventive and populated with memorable, believable characters; “To Rome With Love” was disjointed, static, and festooned with stereotypical caricatures, the most irritating of which was Mr. Allen himself, who, in “Midnight In Paris,” had to good sense to stay behind the camera. Seriously, Owen Wilson does a much better “Woody Allen” than does Woody Allen. Even Alec Baldwin’s pompous mugging couldn’t save this one. Bottom line: don’t waste your time on this.

Woody Allen got me, and millions of other, back into his fold with