Review of To Rome with Love (2012) by Philip C — 16 Jul 2012

Another year, another Woody Allen movie. Allen has always been a favourite actor/writer/director of mine. Heâ(TM)s written, directed and starred in some of the best movies ever made: Annie Hall, Manhattan, Husbands and Wives, Hannah and Her Sisters, Play It Again Sam, Match Point, Scoop (which I think is highly underrated) and Vicky, Christina, Barcelona for instance. And of course who could forget last yearâ(TM)s wonderful Midnight in Paris? Easily one of the yearâ(TM)s best films.

Now Allen returns with his newest film To Rome with Love. While it may not be as good as Midnight in Paris, To Rome with Love is still an excellent film thatâ(TM)s thoroughly entertaining throughout.

Allen once again writes and directs in the film. And all of the wonderfully written dialogue and overflowing neuroticism that youâ(TM)d expect from an Allen picture is there. The dialogue and the jokes are all wonderfully written and executed.

Allen writes four different stories into the film and every single one of them is just as entertaining as the last. Despite the multitude of characters that the film has to offer, Allen keeps us intrigued with each one.

Two other trademark things that I always love about Woody Allen films are the numerous extended takes and the brilliant ensemble cast. There are many great scenes throughout where the characters rattle off stupendous dialogue.

But of course none of that would have worked without the brilliant cast. Youâ(TM)ve got Allen, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Alison Pill and Roberto Benigni. There are are also a few other principle actors in the film as well whose names I do not know. Excuse my ignorance, because they all deserve the credit as well. All are talented actors and all are perfectly cast in their respective roles.

With that being said however. there are two complaints that I do have. The first being that I thought that there should have been more Greta Gerwig in it. Sheâ(TM)s great in the film, as is everyone else. I just wanted her to be in it more. Iâ(TM)ve always liked her ever since her small beginnings in mumblecore.

The other gripe being the lack of a central protagonist. Now donâ(TM)t get me wrong, itâ(TM)s a great film with a superb cast. Each story is in its own way entirely compelling with wonderfully written plots and characters. And I always appreciate a non conventional narrative. Itâ(TM)s just that thereâ(TM)s no central character to really root for.

Midnight in Paris did every single thing right. But one of the very best things about it was just how much the audience becomes involved with Owen Wilsonâ(TM)s character of Gil Pender. We empathize, we sympathize and we really root for the guy. Whereas in Rome, not as much.

To Rome With Love is another excellent film from Woody Allen. Itâ(TM)s sharply written, very funny, has a flawless cast and is a wonderful love-letter to Rome. But I mean really, did anyone ever expect anything less? All Woody Allen ever does is write love letters.