Posted by Eric Stumpf
Woody Allen's "To Rome With Love" opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Saratoga Film Forum. The film will also run at the same time on Friday, Sept. 21, and again at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23.
Allen's newest film follows several people through Rome as their lives intermingle. Characters include a distinguished architect (Alec Baldwin); a man (Jesse Eisenberg) in love with the wrong woman (Ellen Page); and a simple man who involuntarily gains celebrity status (Roberto Benigni). These may be classic archetypes of Allen's, but it's hard not to love the cast of all-star celebrities and satiating characters. Baldwin pushes the film to a higher level of success in particular, with his wry delivery and comedic timing.
"To Rome With Love" is a visually stunning and picturesque cinematic tour through The Sacred City. The film's refined execution is comparable to that of Federico Fellini's ("La Dolce Vita"; "8?"). Allen truly uses the location of Rome to his benefit; the romantic allure of the city couples with a playful soundtrack to bridge satire and romantic comedy. If you haven't been to Rome, you'll want to go - and if you have been you'll want to return.
While Allen's latest film may not strike a deep emotional chord, it does satisfy as a sweet, carefree film that arouses laughs and pleasure along the way. Kerry Lengel of The Arizona Republic" calls it "a miniature masterpiece amidst more modest amusements." Put simply, "To Rome With Love" didn't just remind me I needed to return to The Eternal City - it brought me there and back without the price of airfare.
Relevant Majors:
History/Art History, International Studies/Government, Romance Languages, Performing Arts, Psychology
Look out next week for a review of "Moonrise Kingdom," coming to the Film Forum on Sept. 27.