A new year, a new Woody Allen movie. They come out every year like clockwork. Last year, Woody Allen stole our hearts (and the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay) with the brilliant "Midnight In Paris".
This year's movie "To Rome With Love" is Allen's next European adventure in love, life, and the bizarre. And when I say bizarre, I mean there is more than one occasion where you occasionally go "What the hell?". It's not as profound and powerful as "Midnight In Paris", but it's still a lot of fun.
This ensemble movie revolves four story lines in the streets of Rome: (1) Newlyweds Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) and Milly (Alessandra Mastronardi), on their honeymoon, get separated, leaving Antonio bizarrely in the hands of an enigmatic prostitute Anna (Penelope Cruz) and Milly, while lost in Rome, winds up on a movie set with superstar Luca Salta (Antonio Albenese); (2) while on vaction, famous architect John (Alec Baldwin) runs into [wait for it] his younger self Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) and girlfriend Sally (Greta Gerwig) while Sally's best friend Monica (Ellen Page) shows up, making Jack starry eyed and confused over the fascinating Monica -- all the while being chastised by John; (3) American Haley (Alison Pill) and local man Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti) fall in love instantly, become engaged, and has Haley's parents Jerry (Woody Allen, acting in his first movie since 2006's "Scoop") and Phyllis (Judy Davis) fly out to Rome to meet Michelangelo and his father Giancarlo (Fabio Armiliato); and (4) unassuming everyman Leopoldo (Roberto Benigni) all of a sudden becomes a celebrity for no apparent reason, and is accosted by the paparazzi everywhere he goes.
Writer/director Woody Allen (2005's "Match Point", 2008's "Cassandra's Dream") strays away from the dramatic thrillers and intelligent comedies to have a little fun like he used to with such surreal movies like "Scoop", "Sleeper", and "Things You Always Wanted To Know About Sex (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)". The script may not be completely over-the-top like the last movie I mentioned on that list, but it's still fairly bizarre and sardonically funny.
Due to the fact there are so many cast members to go over, it's hard to go over everyone. To simplify things, here's the highlight: Alec Baldwin and Jesse Eisenberg have amazing chemistry together, and are hilarious! The downside: Roberto Benigni. I don't care about "Life Is Beautiful". Benigni is really. Not. Funny.
It would be easier to explain quantum mechanics than all the events "To Rome With Love", but that's part of its charm. Woody Allen has always been known for making comedies that, well, don't make a hell of a lot of sense, but are still fun to watch. It's not as laugh-out-loud funny as "Ted" is, but it is funny, and makes you feel good.
FINAL VERDICT: "To Rome With Love" will probably not be nominated for many awards this year, but who cares? Woody Allen is surely returning to the quality he was once known for back in the early 90s and before. You won't be grabbing your sides with laughter, but you will be thoroughly entertained.
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