To Rome With Love

Overview

Woody Allen in recent years has moved away from his relationship with New York. It's not that the two have broken up, he's just found a more mature mistress in the bosom of Europe. With the likes of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris and, now, To Rome With Love, Allen has started a new love affair in Europe - but it's truly a fine romance.

Phyllis (Judy Davis) and Jerry (Woody Allen) are heading to Rome to meet their daughter Hayley (Alison Pill)'s new fiance Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti). While there, the retired opera director Jerry discovers Michelangelo's father is an undiscovered operatic talent.

Meanwhile John (Alec Baldwin) is reliving his youthful love affair through the eyes of Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) and Monica (Ellen Page), while Anna (Penelope Cruz) is a prostitute in a mix-up playing the wife of a timid young newlywed Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) who's trying to impress his wealthy relatives.

It sometimes feels like a chaotic film, however the comedy keeps the pace, so while each story ramps up to a climax, they all feel like they're running the same marathon.

Allen's scriptwriting wit isn't what it used to be, and he is certainly starting to show his age. But if for nothing more than to fall in love yourself with the eternal city of Rome, this is a sweet comedy for a Saturday night.