When in Rome Movie Review

Kristen Bell stars as Beth, a motivated young New York art curator eager to find true love. As she heads on over to Rome to attends her sister’s impulsive wedding, she accidentally meets the charming reporter Nick (Josh Duhamel). Instantly, the young girl falls in love with him instantly but Nick doesn’t notice or pay attention to her at all. Desperate to gain his affection, Beth gives the famous magical wishing fountain a shot by throwing in a coin over her shoulder while thinking of Nick. In the process, Beth collects five other coins from the fountain. Unexpectedly, with her return to New York, Beth would get more than she’s asked for.

To her surprise, five suitors immediately pop out to chase her around New York including a sausage magnate (Danny DeVito), street magician Lance (Jon Heder), adoring painter Antonio (Will Arnett), self-admiring model Gale (Dax Shepard), and even her love-interest Nick. With the sudden change of things, Beth struggles to differentiate real love from magic.

As a romantic comedy, this film stands perfectly where it is expected to be. The screenplay of a smart woman being chased around New York by a number of suitors brings fun and lively to the table. Despite its similar feel and aura to previous romantic comedies released in the past month, “When in Rome” manages to stand out among the rest with its stellar cast.

DeVito, Arnett, Heder, and Shepard are well-suited for their roles as they come off believable and charming as they can be. In fact, their enticing performances steal the stage and spotlight from the lead actress Bell. DeVito delivers a combination of both comedy and drama as he makes the audience laugh from his desperate attempts to gain Bell’s affections while at the same time touch the hearts of many in the ending sequences of the film. Meanwhile, many male viewers would relate to the efforts delivered by Arnett and Shepard in wooing Bell’s character. Completing the feel-good aura of the movie is Heder’s innate comedic talent.

Though the film traverses on as expected, with nothing new to offer to the genre of romantic comedy, “When in Rome” still managed to capture the hearts of many through genuine laughter and smiles.