I probably should have written this review right after I saw the movie. Because here I am, a week or so later, and I can barely remember it...which in itself, says something and is worthy of mentioning. As an avid Woody Allen fan - a movie-lover who admires his romanticism of New York in the 70s, the intellectual talk, the exclusivity, the real relationships, the neurosis of a Jewish man in a cluttered, chaotic world or city...his past few modern films have proven disappointing.
I live in LA, I don't want to watch the superficiality, the phoniness, the airs of post-modern people. When I see a movie, especially from Woody Allen, I want to escape that disgusting realism and go back to a time when life seemed glamorous and enchanting, exciting and interesting.
In To Rome With Love, I hoped that due to the fact that he chose a romantic city, I'd feel that very romanticism in his film. But...I didn't, really. A big part of Woody Allen's appeal, is the absurdity of events or people in his work, but I haven't been shocked in a while. SPOILER ALERT: The whole singing in a shower on the opera stage, was mildly amusing, but overdone. After the first moment of seeing a man singing in a shower on stage (which I predicted), I didn't need to see it again. It seemed, however, that the rest of the audience was soaking (pun intended) it all up. One older woman in the audience even said (in a Jewish NY accent) "He's in the showah...on the stage!" Yes. He is. And frankly, I don't think it's that funny. Come on, Woody! Give me more!
I also did not like the choice of Ellen Page as the seductress. I find the nasal quality to her voice and her petite stature to be far from sexy, and though I know the juxtaposition was the point, I still didn't get the allure.
A minor note that bugged me was the clothing. Everyone, except for Penelope Cruz, seemed to wear vintage outfits or linen, reminiscent of Woody's older films...but it takes place in modern day and everyone's talking like phony modern people trying to appear smarter than everyone else...so why have them wear non-modern clothing? It just didn't ring true. If you're going to make a modern movie, make it modern...just because people visit or move to Italy, does not mean they start dressing like fashionable Italians.
I guess, the characters just bothered me in general. I didn't like any of them. There was the unassuming couple with a boring sex life, who quickly allowed themselves to be unfaithful and explore. There was Ellen Page the alluring temptress (not), the sap who quixotically falls in love with her quick but phony tongue, and his boring too trusting girlfriend with no redeeming qualities. Thankfully Woody Allen acted in it, because I had missed seeing him. Then there was the typical guy (my favorite) who just wanted someone to listen to him. I liked his character the best, but similar to the shower, the paparazzi gag went on too long, for my taste. Though I did find humor in the sudden public interest in the mundane actions of this every man.
Overall, the movie was fine. I suppose my review is a bit too harsh. Of course, the music was lovely and drew the viewer in, the acting was good, the city was beautiful, etc. I just wish Woody would go back to his roots, good ol' NYC, and make a movie about people living there and struggling with real things (but telling the story in a playful way). Because that's what I've loved so much about his work.
Learn more about To Rome With Love here: http://sonyclassics.com/toromewithlove/
And here's a "Woody Allen Hoodie"!
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