Woody Allen films do not have the ‘perfect’
narrative. The screenplay isn’t always logical, so to speak. The performances
can go a bit over-the-top at times too. However, it is the charm that the
director brings to his films. No one can capture a picturesque city as
beautifully as Allen does. The way his ‘Match Point’ encapsulated London’s
elegance, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ emanated the serenity of the Spanish
locations and ‘Midnight In Paris’ showed the eternal romanticism of the city,
is unparalleled. Woody Allen, in the film ‘To Rome With Love’, wonderfully
captures the Italian capital. Within the historic city, there are instances
which are life-changing and yet, innocuous.
Although, not in the same league as Woody
Allen’s previous films, the film is a must-watch for his fans. The film, even
if a bit long and tedious for the viewer, does pack some wonderful moments.
Definitely recommend a DVD-watch, if not in a theatre.
The film has four parallel stories; a well-known
American architect John (Alec Baldwin) encountering a young couple, Jack (Jesse
Eisenberg) and Sally (Greta Gerwig), and their irresistibly attractive friend
Monica (Ellen Page), and becoming an active part of their daily lives and
romantic liaisons; an average middle class Roman Leopoldo (Roberto Benigni)
escalating from the position of a clerk to an overnight celebrity; a newlywed
couple - Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) and Milly (Alessandra Mastronardi) hooking
up with the sensuous call-girl Anna (Penélope Cruz) and the Italian superstar
Luca Salta (Antonio Albanese) respectively; and an American opera director
Jerry (Woody Allen) trying to revive his flagging career. Confused? You shouldn’t
be, because most of Woody Allen’s films have such a premise. The film slows
down considerably when too much of time is dedicated to a particular track.
Although the way Rome forms such a wonderful backdrop to these intricate
stories is magnificent, the scenes do drag a bit more than you would expect.
This film is full of exceptional moments.
Be it Benigni revelling in his newfound popularity, Allen’s circumspect
silence, Baldwin’s deadpan expressions, Eisenberg’s trademark dialogue
delivery, Ellen Page’s range, Penelope’s audaciousness or the brilliant efforts
put in by the rest of the cast, the film excels in the acting department. The
scenes are a bit too long, but the dialogues are so delightful that you’d still
let out a guffaw!
Woody Allen’s films are more about moments
and less about impeccable narratives. However, ‘To Rome With Love’ slips during
the second half. The pugnacity with which the initial half of the film is made,
is found missing in the second half. It takes too long for all the tracks to
reach their logical conclusion. Director Woody Allen, who also wrote the film, does
not show the same form that he did with his ‘Midnight In Paris’. However, the
film could have been a lot more monotonous had it been made by any other
filmmaker. Woody, doubling up as an actor, manages to lift the film at crucial
junctures.
Woody Allen fans will like it. For those
who haven’t watched a single Allen film, you could give this a shot after
watching a couple of his ‘noteworthy’ films. Woody, Benigni and Baldwin, watch
it for the legends! (First Posted in MSN)
Shivom
Oza
i've been looking forward to this movie... love Woody Allen's style of movies.
ReplyDeleteI love woody allen... But to agree with you ... I am not that impressed with his this movie.. It certainly is not as good as his earlier movies...
ReplyDeleteBut one thing is sure this movie doesn't disappoint..