Movie Summary"To Rome with Love" is a 2012 American-Italian funny movie, written, directed and including Woody Allen, alongside an ensemble cast that consists of Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Penélope Cruz, and others. The movie, segmented into 4 vignettes, is a light-hearted, surreal, and romantic exploration of love, cheating, fame, and the captivating city of Rome.
StorylinesThe film brilliantly intertwines 4 separate stories embeded in Rome. The first is about retired opera director Jerry (Woody Allen), who takes a trip with his other half Phyllis (Judy Davis) to Rome to satisfy their child's Italian fiancé, Michelangelo. Jerry discovers that Michelangelo's father, Giancarlo (real-life opera tenor Fabio Armiliato), has an amazingly gorgeous opera voice, but only while singing in the shower. Jerry decides to stage a comeback with Giancarlo as his star, causing funny results.
The 2nd story involves John (Alec Baldwin), an effective architect revisiting locations of his youth. He comes across Jack (Jesse Eisenberg), a young architect living with his sweetheart Sally (Greta Gerwig). When Sally's flirtatious good friend Monica (Ellen Page) gos to, Jack finds himself irresistibly attracted to her. John acts as a spectral advisor, warning Jack about the complexities of relationships, thereby creating a nuanced representation of love and adultery.
The 3rd story functions Antonio and Milly, a young couple who have actually just recently moved to Rome. They get separated, resulting in a series of misconceptions and misadventures. Milly is lost in the city, misinterpreting a film set for a hotel, and ends up in the arms of legendary film star Luca Salta. Antonio, meanwhile, is seduced by a woman of the street named Anna (Penélope Cruz), incorrect to be Antonio's partner by his conservative relatives.
The last narrative focuses on Leopoldo Pisanello (Roberto Benigni), a nondescript clerk who unexpectedly finds himself a celeb in Rome. He is followed by paparazzi and showered with attention, just to have his fame abruptly stop. This story provides an allegorical take on the vacuousness of celeb culture.
Critical Reception and Themes"To Rome with Love" received mix evaluations from critics, lauded for its humor, appeal and performances, but slammed for its lack of cohesion and depth. Thematically, the film explores love and relationships through its varied storylines, defined by Allen's trademark-style narratives handling aberrant characters, complicated cheatings, and comical misconceptions. It reflects on the unpredictability of life, interspersed with a satirical commentary on popularity and star.
ConclusionWoody Allen's "To Rome with Love" is a caring postcard to Rome, wonderfully capturing the city's architecture, way of life, and the Italian personality. The movie integrates realism and surrealism for comedic effects, and despite its disjointed stories and tonal accidents, it delivers a delightful, stunning view of love and life in the Eternal City. With its dazzling cast and bewitching background, this romantic funny looks into universal styles, making it a vibrant, though somewhat disorderly, addition to Allen's collection.
Top Cast
