Review: When in Rome

An ambitious young New Yorker (Kristen Bell), disillusioned with romance, takes a whirlwind trip to Rome, where she defiantly plucks magic coins from a fountain of love, inexplicably igniting the passion of those who threw them in: a sausage magnate (Danny DeVito), a street magician (Jon Heder), an adoring painter (Will Arnett) and a self-admiring model (Dax Shepard). But when a charming reporter (Josh Duhamel) pursues her with equal zest, how will she know if his love is the real thing?

Most of the characters outside the two leads are caricatures placed in the plotline as comic relief, sadly unfunny comic relief. Though the title suggests the setting will be in Italy, most of the action takes place on Manhattan streets and in LA soundstages, with the film’s characters dancing over the end credits, not on a Roman piazza, but in front of a blue screen. There is one thing going for this film – it’s clean.

There are some laughs, the two leads are likeable, with Ms. Bell proving she can mug effectively as well as deliver a quip or two, and the story is a genuine romantic comedy. There’s no bed hopping, no objectionable language and the story is about taking a risk when it comes to love. But this is a January movie, a comedy without much humor and a romantic one without much bite. It pales in comparison to classics such as Woman of the Year and The Awful Truth where stars such as Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant were marvelously matched with filmmakers like George Stevens and Leo McCarey. Old examples, yes, but no matter our modern advances, whether CGI enhanced or digitally shot, a film and its theme still needs structure and wit. More recently, and to a lesser degree, New In Town and Dan In Real Life further exemplify good storytelling by those who know how to get laughs other than by mugging for the camera. When in Rome is not of the same quality.

It is clean, and not horrible like 27 Dresses or All About Steve. When In Rome is just a fairly pleasant time killer.

The film is PG-13. Other than the expression “Oh my God” a few times, no objectionable terminology; other than seeing a newly married couple frolicking a bit, there are no sexual situations – the film is about finding love; it is implied that three different characters are gay, but these characters serve as lame humor and that’s all; occasional drinking; the female lead gets tipsy at a wedding.

For a more detailed review, check out the free website, Previewonline.org, where Phil Boatwright reviews films from a Christian perspective. His newly released book, Movies: The Good, The Bad, and the Really, Really Bad: Everything a Christian Needs to Know About Movie-Going! (Volume 1) is available now from The New Christian Voices Clean Comedy Store and or at the link below.