When in Rome

Plot: A museum curator visiting Rome for her sister's wedding, takes coins out of the fontana de amore and unwittingly becomes the object of affection for the owners of said coins.

I did not include the trailer this time because the trailer is deceptive. She does not take the coins out of the fountain to find love. She gives a different reason in the movie that I will not give away.

Starring: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Oscar winner Angelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor), Emmy nominee Will Arnett ("30 Rock"), Jon Heder, Dax Shepard, Alexis Dziena, Keir O'Donnell, Bobby Moynihan, Indie Spirit Nominee Lee Pace (Soldier's Girl (TV)), Oscar nominee Danny DeVito (Erin Brockovich), Emmy nominee Don Johnson ("Miami Vice").

Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson (Ghost Rider)

Written by: David Diamond & David Weissman (Old Dogs)

Review: A great premise loses it's magic. I love Italy, I love fantasy hybrid films, and I love the premise if this film. It just didn't have any magic. The biggest disappointment was the lack of chemistry between the leads. Individually Bell was funny. Duhamel, however, just isn't a very good actor. I've never been impressed with his performance in any movie I've seen him in. I was hoping this movie would change my mind. It didn't. I don't know what the director was thinking. The suitors were for the most part were obnoxious caricatures of other people. Heder's parody of Chris Angel would've been hilarious three years ago, but now seems passe. Danny DeVito seemed desperate for a job with the exception of one of the final scenes in the film. Shepard was doing a great impersonation of Owen Wilson (a part he probably only got because he's dating Bell). Will Arnett, however, was refreshing and at times charming. Huston & Moynihan were hilarious, as usual, in unfortunately small parts. These laughs, however, were very few and far between. The majority of the humor came from lots and lots of physical comedy in the form of klutziness. The entire film someone was falling, tripping, dropping, or knocking into something. The vase breaking scene was the only time it worked. Lest we not forget "the speech". There are always speeches in romance movies. Typically there are two, maybe three. One: the final admission of feelings Two: some wise usually older character gives pearls of wisdom to a lead character that makes them change their mind about something, i.e the lesson of the movie. Speech two, the lesson given by Bell's serial marrying father who knows absolutely nothing about love, commitment, or marriage gives a horrible speech that made my ears bleed. In short, a few funny supporting characters, a nice premise, and a great ending that seemed to be the only breath of fresh air in this movie. A new script (keep original ending intact) and almost entirely new cast would've been needed to fix this promising but ultimately disappointing movie. Some nice scenery in Italy. I would recommend this film as a one time rental simply for the ending.

Rating:

Writing-C

Acting: D

Directing-D

Music-C- wow let's put Jason Mraz music in a romantic comedy, super original

Cinematography-B

Editing-D

Visual Effects-D

Art Direction- A

Hair-C

Makeup-B

Costumes- B

** Stars for the premise and a great ending