Read Positive User Reviews for To Rome with Love

7

CinemaphileJul 29, 2016

Critics can't be trusted. Nor can the audience. That's the case with Woody Allen's much maligned To Rome With Love, which was panned by both. To Rome With Love is as good, if not better that his previous film, Midnight In Paris. To Rome WithCritics can't be trusted. Nor can the audience. That's the case with Woody Allen's much maligned To Rome With Love, which was panned by both. To Rome With Love is as good, if not better that his previous film, Midnight In Paris. To Rome With Love uses the same palate of themes, a romantic urban backdrop, characters in personal crisis, ill-advised infidelity and errors of comic proportions - all tied together with vaudevillian banter and musical motifs, meandering back and forth across the boundaries between reality and the fantastically absurd. Rarely does Allen cast his films poorly, and this film is no exception. Only Allen himself seems to be going through the motions, the rest of the cast is energetic and earnest. Reminiscent of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Allen explores Rome through the eyes of a nostalgic architect, a young married couple, a failed musical producer and an everyman from the streets of Rome.
Worth seeing if you can still find an afternoon matinee.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

VonSeuxJul 1, 2012

LMAO with this movie, loved every character! Much better than Midnight in Paris, with much better cast and story (or should I say stories?) ! I really love the new Woody Allen and every movie he made on the last years. This one sits as myLMAO with this movie, loved every character! Much better than Midnight in Paris, with much better cast and story (or should I say stories?) ! I really love the new Woody Allen and every movie he made on the last years. This one sits as my favourite along Whatever Works. The man is really stronger when it comes to comedy, and is great to see the man back on front of the cameras.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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8

MovieCatsJul 15, 2012

Wasn't expecting much based on reviews, but love Woody, and loved this movie - even more than Midnight in Paris. A lovable cast of characters, unique and creative storyline, and beautiful views of Rome. All in all, delightful! >^..^

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

indie666Sep 23, 2012

Underestimated, at the age of 76 it's amazing to see that he's still acting and directing. Funny, entertaining and refreshing it seems as though woody allen's witty story writing skills are certainly still there. All of the stories whereUnderestimated, at the age of 76 it's amazing to see that he's still acting and directing. Funny, entertaining and refreshing it seems as though woody allen's witty story writing skills are certainly still there. All of the stories where very amusing and an accurate portrayal of the italian culture(I'm italian). Definitely worth a watch. My only criticism if more of the character's stories intermingled more for example it would have been amusing to see woody allen act along side Roberto Begnini.… Expand

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7

MarcDoyleJun 23, 2012

Much funnier than Midnight in Paris. It may not be a better movie, but the latter put me to sleep. The best way for me to describe the experience is "light comedy" - I certainly laughed, and Alec Baldwin's role is pitch perfect. Even thoughMuch funnier than Midnight in Paris. It may not be a better movie, but the latter put me to sleep. The best way for me to describe the experience is "light comedy" - I certainly laughed, and Alec Baldwin's role is pitch perfect. Even though I like Ellen Page, she maied this one in. And Greta Gerwig is really just a space filler. Judy Davis does a nice job playing off of Woody. Great to see her in another film.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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8

BikerjamesJul 2, 2012

No question that Woody is on a roll lately. This is the funniest movie since "Whatever Works", and a throwback to his fantasy farcical films such as "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy", "Alice", or "Purple Rose of Cairo" (the latter being hisNo question that Woody is on a roll lately. This is the funniest movie since "Whatever Works", and a throwback to his fantasy farcical films such as "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy", "Alice", or "Purple Rose of Cairo" (the latter being his masterpiece in this genre). I saw this at a theater that was probably 3/4 full and people were laughing loudly throughout. It was wonderful to see Woody in one of his films again and he got some of the biggest laughs himself. My only criticism, a small one, was the singing in the shower sequence on stage went on a little too long. The acting throughout was fine, and I wish Judy Davis would have been used more - she stole every small scene she was in as Woody's wife. Penelope Cruz was also a standout for me, along with Roberto Benigni. A must see for fans of Woody Allen. I also should mention the film was beautiful to look at. Filmed with a warm color palette, Rome looked exquisite, both the interior and exterior shots. Also, much of the film is in Italian with subtitles which actually added a realism that I enjoyed.… Expand

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8

evancusterJul 1, 2012

This is an enjoyable movie, although not a great one. An average Woody Allen movie is much better than many of the movies critics rave about. There is no one who can play Woody Allen better than Woody, and it is good to see him back. SomeThis is an enjoyable movie, although not a great one. An average Woody Allen movie is much better than many of the movies critics rave about. There is no one who can play Woody Allen better than Woody, and it is good to see him back. Some of the scenes are hilarious and the dialogue is sharp and witty. Plus as in most of Allen's movies, he really makes you want to visit the city in which it takes place. However, it was a little disconcerting that the 3 or so different story lines never came together, and just followed their own separate paths. Even though it probably isn't Allen's best film, it is certainly enjoyable and worth seeing.… Expand

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7

BHBarryJul 2, 2012

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10

TTTJul 9, 2012

I love this movie!

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9

MJTJul 7, 2012

I agree with someone else who said that this may not be a better film than Midnight in Paris, but it is just as enjoyable, maybe more so. It's a very light comedy--and I think it's more clever than the critics are saying. The acting isI agree with someone else who said that this may not be a better film than Midnight in Paris, but it is just as enjoyable, maybe more so. It's a very light comedy--and I think it's more clever than the critics are saying. The acting is terrific. I'd say give it a try and enjoy your short trip to Rome.… Expand

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7

rodriqueJul 10, 2012

Woody Allen is never bad,but in To Rome with love he is not as good as he was in his previous film ,but it does not mean this movie is not good ,it is just not as good as it could be.

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8

holmanpatrickSep 10, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In one word, "Wow." Unlike some of what we see from Woody Allen, this won't be one of his memorable films that we will look back at in years to come. Despite that, however, the creation that Allen gave us is absolutely touching on a personal level.

This lovely film guides us along with the stories of four groups of people. With these groups, we are able to experience their love, lies, shenanigans, dreams, and problems.

Without wanting to give too much away, I'd like to talk about Alec Baldwin's role in the movie. I'm somewhat unsure of where he fits and why he fits. Although he falls in line with one of the stories in the movie, he himself is also separate from it.

Part of me feels like that his character wasn't even real. Apart from a scene in the beginning of the movie, he is only ever acknowledged by Jesse Eisenberg's character in the film. He seems to follow Eisenberg and his two co-stars, who play his girlfriend and his girlfriend's friend, around but never actually has a physical interaction with the surroundings or people, except for Eisenberg. Despite all of this, however, it somehow works, and I find this story line to be the most interesting.

"To Rome With Love," is definitely worth the watch!… Expand

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7

Tiago_RamosOct 3, 2012

A cena de abertura de Para Roma com Amor evoca imediatamente Mighty Aphrodite (1995) e os seus peculiares separadores, entoados por um coro da Grécia antiga. Não passa de uma leve evocação, mas as históriasA cena de abertura de Para Roma com Amor evoca imediatamente Mighty Aphrodite (1995) e os seus peculiares separadores, entoados por um coro da Grécia antiga. Não passa de uma leve evocação, mas as histórias introduzidas por aquele polícia sinaleiro dá o mote para o tom descontraído que o filme adopta, num estilo ligeiramente aproximado das novelas do Decameron de Bocaccio. O filme é no fundo uma antologia de várias histórias que em nenhum momento se conectam, mas que se encontram conectadas por um tema: um deles, o contexto espacial da cidade de Roma (não caiamos em críticas desnecessárias: é obviamente feita pela visão de um estrangeiro e, logo, repleto de lugares comuns da cidade), o outro, bem mais complexo, o culto da celebridade e das aparências. Aparentemente muito mais inconsequente e ligeiro que os seus trabalhos anteriores, a crítica que Woody Allen faz neste trabalho é, apesar de por vezes formatada e quase moralista, muito maior. Ao construir a comédia com base nestas pequenas histórias, cria também uma crítica enorme à sociedade sempre com as habituais temática do cineasta alienado, artista, intelectual desajeitado, hipocondríaco. O que não deixa de ser curiosamente, num filme onde o cineasta se retrata também como actor: vermos múltiplos Woody Allen nas personagens de cada vinheta é estranho (algo mais habitual nos filmes onde não actua), mas não deixa de ser também um processo curioso de um autor que se desconstrói e se refugia na ficção que escreve (temática que curiosamente tinha abordado com mestria em Deconstructing Harry).

O que temos então em Para Roma com Amor? Uma série de gags, uns mais bem conseguidos que outros, com uma ligeireza pouco habitual no cinema de Woody Allen, mas curiosamente bem simpáticos de assistir e pouco cansativos. Um tipo de humor que parece ligeiro demais ambientado num cartão-postal cliché, repleto de um humor non sense e surrealista que é simultaneamente delicioso, mas também severamente crítico da sociedade contemporânea. Essa crítica pode ser mais visível no retrato de um Roberto Benigni - actor ícone italiano, da perspectiva de um estrangeiro - com o seu humor mais físico, mas com uma história tão interessante e oportuna, especialmente quando olhamos para as revistas ou para os especiais televisivos de "última hora". Mas é também notável naquele que é provavelmente a melhor das vinhetas, protagonizada pelo próprio Woody Allen e Judy Davis e um cantor lírico que só é bom no chuveiro (afinal todos cantamos bem no chuveiro) e que é a síntese de todo o filme. Ou aquele em que Alec Baldwin é um grilo falante, uma espécie de consciência física, numa história em que Ellen Page parece a síntese do pseudo-intelectual, mas que simultaneamente parece partir em defesa da mensagem do cineasta. E embora recicle morais cliché, com personagens unidimensionais e estereotipadas (admitimos), é também um filme consciente do seu carácter cartoonesco e da sua entoação moralista e de quase fábula. Mas é também um cineasta despreocupado da apreciação externa, mas que continua crítico como sempre foi e que se faz valer da própria história para se retratar, como por exemplo naquela excelente troca de diálogos entre duas personagens (interpretadas por Jesse Eisenberg e Alec Baldwin): «- Com a idade chega a sabedoria. - Com a idade chega a exaustão».… Expand

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8

SpangleFeb 23, 2017

One of Woody Allen's greatest box office successes, but also ranked among his worst films by critics, To Rome with Love is an odd little film. Personally, I have no idea why it is so maligned. It is a hysterical take on love in Rome via fourOne of Woody Allen's greatest box office successes, but also ranked among his worst films by critics, To Rome with Love is an odd little film. Personally, I have no idea why it is so maligned. It is a hysterical take on love in Rome via four vignettes of romance, lust, and passion set against the back drop of Rome. Many read the film as merely a tourist advertisement for the city, but it is a brilliant choice as setting for the film. A city of passion, history, antiquity, and wholly unique, it is one of those places that people romanticize about and turn into a city afflicted by hyperreality. It is a place of dreams, to the point that Allen's attempt at magical realism feels right at home in this collection of hopes, aspirations, and romantic entangling. Funny throughout, expertly written with a great balance between the comedy, magical realism, and romance, and terrifically acted, To Rome with Love may be seen as one of his worst films, but it really hits a sweet note.

The first vignette concerns Hayley (Alison Pill), an American tourist. Falling in love with Italian man Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti), she brings her parents over to meet her new love and his family. Upon arrival, Jerry (Woody Allen) and Phyllis (Judy Davis) immediately strike a sour note because of Jerry. A classic Allen character, he is neurotic, weird, and unabashedly blunt with his pessimistic take on life. A retired music industry "executive" of sorts, he is struck by the singing voice of Michelangelo's father, Giancarlo (Fabio Armiliato). However, he can only do it in the shower. So what does he do? He puts together a revival of Pagliacci with Giancarlo singing in the shower on stage. Hysterical, casually funny, and one of the most absurd portions of the film, seeing this story is always a welcome occasion and one that never stops being funny. Allen is an excellent comic actor and truly demonstrates it here, with the scenes after he gets touched by the dirty hands of mortician standing as a result highlight. Witty and smart in this section, it is most akin to classic Allen. A look at love between people from different cultures and culture clash it can create, the romance is not really the highlight, but the odd bond between Jerry and Giancarlo. There, it is sweet and unexpected, while being incredibly funny.

Next up is Italian couple Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) and Milly (Alessandra Mastronardi). Hoping to get her hair done before meeting Antonio's upper class relatives, Milly gets lost in Rome and meets an actor she has a crush on, opting to go to his hotel room. Antonio, meanwhile, is greeted by prostitute Anna (Penelope Cruz). Showing up in the right room but for the wrong person, Anna is forced into posing as Milly for Antonio's family. Though they both cheat on one another (I mean, it was Penelope Cruz after all), this section of the film explores experience and connection. Antonio and Milly obviously love another, but were stuck in a rut. Leaving their small town and old jobs for the promise of Rome, they learn to be less inhibited sexually and to embrace what comes naturally. The end result: they are happier. This section is quite funny, particularly when Anna is at an upper-class party with Antonio and all the men schedule appointments with her and are regular clients of hers. The magic here comes from Minny finding an actor she loves and Antonio a prostitute. Unlikely and chance encounters that are strokes of luck, the encounters have a lasting impact on them and somehow strengthen their passion for one another.

Next we have Leopoldo (Roberto Benigni). An average man who puts his pants on one foot at a time, this section is an odd comment on celebrity, temptation, and the cultish following a person can create simply by being declared famous, even if it is just being famous for being famous. Uproariously hysterical, Leopoldo is going to work one day when the media suddenly follows him and worships the ground he steps on. Whisked to television interviews and stalked wherever he goes, Leopoldo's wife even sets fashion trends with second-hand dresses and having runs in her stockings. Every word he says become celebrated and the women take notice with models lining up to jump in the sack with Leopoldo. However, all of a sudden, the media decides some other random guy is the new "it" guy and forget about Leopoldo. Depressed and seeking the attention once more, he quickly learns how great it feels to be wanted by the public. Hysterical and a great look at celebrity and the impact it has on your family and yourself, the film's magical element is clear, but its realism is less clear. By having as an average guy, Allen shows how an average person would cope with overnight stardom. He trips up and screws up without meaning to. In essence, it is a defense of celebrities for sometimes misspeaking because when your every word is scrutinized, it is easy to say something offensive without intent.… Expand

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8

oblique15Jul 20, 2013

This movie has its flaws like most movies but I liked it for the most part.The things I didn`t like are mostly a couple actors Ellen page and Jesse Eisenberg. I hate every movie the two are in, so in the same movie ouch, but they did ok. IThis movie has its flaws like most movies but I liked it for the most part.The things I didn`t like are mostly a couple actors Ellen page and Jesse Eisenberg. I hate every movie the two are in, so in the same movie ouch, but they did ok. I liked where the movie is located and found most of it interesting.I liked the parts with Alessandra Mastronardi, but the best was the character Roberto Benigni played really funny stuff lol… Expand

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9

film_bugAug 13, 2013

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 movieDelightfully 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!… Expand

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8

DawdlingPoetNov 23, 2021

I enjoyed this film, both for the pretty setting/cinematography and the characters. Its a typically quirky Woody Allen film featuring gentle comedy and a certain amount of, as I say quirkiness or perhaps zaniness may also be an applicableI enjoyed this film, both for the pretty setting/cinematography and the characters. Its a typically quirky Woody Allen film featuring gentle comedy and a certain amount of, as I say quirkiness or perhaps zaniness may also be an applicable term. Its not the most memorable film around ever or anything like that but the characters are interesting and its a pleasant watch - a little saucy at times, hence the 12 rating but there's nothing especially graphic shown and for a film of this type, its quite good. I'd recommend this film.… Expand

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