Review of To Rome with Love (2012) by Spangle — 23 Feb 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 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.