When in Rome Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl steals some coins and suddenly has way too many problems with men; it’s like a rom-com horror movie.

🍿 When in Rome: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Beth’s Unlucky in Love

Beth, a hardworking curator at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, struggles to find love. Her latest relationship ends when her boyfriend announces his engagement to another career woman. Feeling defeated, Beth prepares to attend her sister Joan’s whirlwind wedding in Rome.

Roman Wedding and the Fountain of Love

In Rome, Beth meets Nick, the best man. After a misunderstanding, Beth drunkenly steals coins from the Fontana d’Amore (Fountain of Love). Legend has it that whoever takes a coin will be pursued by the person who tossed it into the fountain.

Cursed Suitors in New York

Back in New York, Beth is pursued by a group of eccentric men: a sausage magnate, a street magician, a narcissistic model, and a struggling artist. They are all hopelessly in love with her due to the coins she took. Meanwhile, Nick continues to pursue her as well, leaving Beth confused about the nature of his feelings.

Breaking the Curse

Beth learns that she must return the coins to the original owners to break the spell. She attempts to navigate the chaos while figuring out if Nick’s affection is genuine or a result of the fountain’s magic. As the pressure mounts, Beth realizes she might have real feelings for Nick, but doubts linger.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Beth (Kristen Bell): A hard-working but unlucky-in-love museum curator whose life turns upside down after stealing coins from the Fountain of Love.
• Nick (Josh Duhamel): The charming and clumsy sports writer who captures Beth’s attention and may or may not be under a magical spell.
• Al (Danny DeVito): A sausage magnate who becomes smitten with Beth after she picks up his coin from the fountain.
• Antonio (Will Arnett): An artist who is under the spell of the fountain of love.
• Lance (Jon Heder): A street magician who aggressively pursues Beth after she steals his coin.
• Gale (Dax Shepard): A narcissistic model who falls under the fountain’s spell and tries to woo Beth.
• Celeste (Anjelica Huston): Beth’s intimidating boss at the museum who is concerned about the success of the upcoming gala.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Beth’s Dad: “You could get your heart broken or… you could have the greatest love affair the world has ever known. But you’re never gonna know unless you try.” – He says this to Beth at her sister’s wedding, encouraging her to open herself up to love despite past disappointments.
• Nick: “I ran all the way up Fifth Avenue to meet you because I love you.” – Nick says this during a power outage after Beth tries to give him back the poker chip, proving that his love is real and not magic-induced.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,680,633
• Worldwide Gross: $43,053,376

💥 When in Rome Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to enjoy this film, truly! Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel are both charming, but the story just didn’t click for me. The jokes felt forced, and the plot was predictable. It was like watching a movie you’ve seen a hundred times before, but with a slightly different cast. I love Italian landscapes, but even those couldn’t save it. I did think it was funny when Al Russo(Danny Devito) came up and wanted to show Kristen Bell his sausages.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel”
  • “Viewers who enjoy light-hearted romantic comedies”
  • “Audiences looking for a simple and predictable feel-good movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild suggestive humor”
  • “Some slapstick comedy”
  • “Brief alcohol consumption”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel have on-screen chemistry, their talents are squandered with tired tropes. The supporting cast attempts to salvage what it can, but all are lost to a stale screenplay. In the end, *When in Rome* offers only the faint memories of better romantic comedies.
• IMDb: “The slapstick attempts are tired. The acting from all cast members is phoned in. The story is so predictable it’s almost laughable and the attempts at chemistry between the leads is forced and unbelieveable. Save your money. Steer clear!
• IMDb: “Great cast does what it can with this. The basic plot does what romantic comedy plot can do, but the talent involved is definitely what pulls people in.

Audience Reactions

Some found it cheesy but still enjoyable for a light-hearted laugh.: It’s an easy-to-watch, feel-good movie with a charming cast and a simple plot.

Overall Consensus: A light and fluffy rom-com that’s not particularly original or hilarious, but it’s an okay way to kill time if you enjoy the genre and its actors.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dax Shepard, who plays Gale, is married to Kristen Bell in real life. This added a playful dynamic to their on-screen interactions.”
• “The Guggenheim Museum in New York City, where Beth works, was a real filming location, adding authenticity to her character’s professional life.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on location in Rome, Italy, to capture the beauty and romantic atmosphere of the city.”

🖥️ How to Watch When in Rome?

When in Rome is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options, or consider renting/buying the DVD or Blu-ray for physical copies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed When in Rome, you might like these similar films:

• 27 Dresses (2008): Features a woman always a bridesmaid and dealing with romantic chaos before finding her own love.
• Monte Carlo (2011): Three young women accidentally find themselves living a life of luxury and facing comical romantic entanglements in Europe.
• Leap Year (2010): An American woman travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, but encounters unexpected romantic detours.

🛒 When in Rome Related Products

• Rome: A Captivating Guide to the History of Rome, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire (Captivating History): Learn about the city, its history and its magic with this captivating guide that is sold on Amazon.
• Official When in Rome Movie Poster: Get an official poster for the movie When in Rome. Hang in your room and show off your love for the movie.
• Rome Travel Guide: A physical book that explores Rome. Check on Amazon to discover various travel guides about Rome.
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie [Blu-ray]: Travel to Rome with another great Disney classic. Check on Amazon and see the adventures Lizzie and her friends get into.

🎧 Soundtrack

When in Rome features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Kicking with You” – performed by Jason Mraz

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kristen Bell & Josh Duhamel Uncensored with Carrie Keagan When In Rome

Ever wonder what the cast of ‘When in Rome’ is *really* like? This uncensored interview with Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, and the gang is hilarious and gives you a peek behind the curtain. You won’t believe some of the stuff they get away with saying!

✨ Rate