To Rome with Love Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Random people in Rome find love, fame, and showers, proving that Italy is just a series of bizarre vignettes strung together by accordion music.

🍿 To Rome with Love: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Hayley, Michelangelo, and Jerry’s Opera

American tourist Hayley falls for Michelangelo, a Roman lawyer. Her parents, Jerry and Phyllis, arrive in Rome to meet him. Jerry, a retired music producer, discovers Michelangelo’s father, Giancarlo, has an amazing opera voice, but only when he sings in the shower. Jerry, obsessed with showcasing Giancarlo’s talent, concocts a plan to have him perform opera on stage in a shower stall.

Antonio, Milly, and Mistaken Identities

Newlyweds Antonio and Milly travel to Rome to meet Antonio’s high-society relatives for a job opportunity. Milly gets lost and meets her favorite actor, while Antonio ends up in a compromising situation with a prostitute, Anna. Antonio’s relatives mistake Anna for Milly, leading to a series of comical and awkward encounters, testing the couple’s commitment to each other. The situation leads to both parties engaging in infidelity.

Leopoldo’s Sudden Fame

Leopoldo, an ordinary middle-class clerk, inexplicably becomes a celebrity overnight. He is hounded by paparazzi and his life turns upside down. Though initially enjoying the perks, Leopoldo finds the constant attention overwhelming and longs for his old, simple life. His fame is fleeting, however, and he is quickly forgotten by the media.

Jack, Monica, and John’s Reflections

American architecture student Jack is living in Rome with his girlfriend, Sally. Sally’s friend Monica comes to stay with them, and Jack finds himself falling for her. John, an older architect who used to live in Rome, appears to Jack as a sort of mentor, offering warnings and insights based on his own past experiences. Jack ultimately chooses Monica, only to have her abandon him quickly when an acting opportunity arises.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jerry (Woody Allen): A retired music producer who attempts to revive his career by promoting an opera singer he discovers can only sing well in the shower.
• Anna (Penélope Cruz): A high-class prostitute who becomes entangled in Antonio’s attempt to impress his family.
• Jack (Jesse Eisenberg): An architecture student in Rome who is tempted by his girlfriend’s alluring and intellectual friend, Monica.
• Monica (Elliot Page): The alluring and intellectual friend of Sally who tempts Jack and disrupts his relationship.
• John (Alec Baldwin): An architect revisiting Rome who acts as a mentor or possibly a figment of Jack’s imagination, offering advice on his love life.
• Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi): A newlywed from a small town who finds himself in a compromising situation with a prostitute when his wife gets lost in Rome.
• Leopoldo (Roberto Benigni): An ordinary middle-class man who inexplicably becomes a celebrity and grapples with the sudden fame.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John: “If something is too good to be true, you can bet it’s not.” – John, played by Alec Baldwin, gives this cynical piece of advice, reflecting his world-weary perspective on Jack’s infatuation with Monica.
• Jerry: “He does it for pleasure, not for money.” – Jerry is talking about Giancarlo’s singing talent but responds, “Well, there is a lot of pleasure IN money!”

💰Box Office

• Budget: €17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,685,867
• Worldwide Gross: $73,258,078

💥 To Rome with Love Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie, especially because I adore Italy! The individual stories felt disconnected, and I didn’t connect with any character. The opera-in-the-shower was just strange. The movie captures the beauty of Rome, but the narrative felt scattered and disappointing. It was an okay film, but I expected much more from Woody Allen. The cast was great but it was one of Allen’s weakest films.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Woody Allen’s films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies”
  • “Those interested in travel films showcasing Rome”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A charming and lighthearted exploration of love and life in Rome, but the episodic structure and lack of depth leave it feeling somewhat superficial.
• Metacritic: “The movie is a mixed bag, with some stories working better than others; while visually appealing, it struggles with underdeveloped characters and a meandering plot.
• IMDB: “To Rome with Love is definitely worth a look. The city is beautiful, but the film relies on familiar tropes and struggles to provide a unique or particularly insightful experience.

Audience Reactions

The breathtaking scenery of Rome transported me to Italy.: Most viewers appreciated the visual beauty of Rome and the charming ensemble cast.

The shower opera was weird but funny and very Italian.: Many found the ‘opera in the shower’ segment to be bizarre but enjoyable.

Overall Consensus: While ‘To Rome with Love’ offers beautiful visuals and a strong cast, its fragmented narrative and lack of depth left many viewers feeling underwhelmed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Woody Allen invented the term ‘Ozymandias Melancholia’, mentioned several times in the film, for his earlier movie ‘Stardust Memories’ (1980).”
• “The film features multiple storylines that are not directly connected, a structure Woody Allen also used in other ensemble films.”
• “Penélope Cruz’s character, Anna, a high-class prostitute, was specifically written to showcase her comedic talents and charm.”
• “The filming locations prominently feature iconic Roman landmarks like Piazza Venezia, adding to the film’s visual appeal.”

🖥️ How to Watch To Rome with Love?

To Rome with Love is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. Subscription services may occasionally offer the film as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed To Rome with Love, you might like these similar films:

• Midnight in Paris (2011): Shares the theme of American tourists in Europe experiencing surreal events and reflecting on life’s ironies.
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008): Another Woody Allen film set in Europe (Spain) with intersecting love stories and exploration of relationships.
• Annie Hall (1977): Classic Woody Allen film exploring the complexities of relationships and life through a comedic and neurotic lens.
• La Dolce Vita (1960): Captures the decadent and chaotic lifestyle of Rome, with a focus on celebrity and fleeting moments of fame.

🛒 To Rome with Love Related Products

• To Rome with Love [Blu-ray]: Experience the magic of Rome in high definition with this Blu-ray edition, featuring bonus content and stunning visuals.
• Rome: A Traveler’s Literary Companion: Explore the rich literary history of Rome with this collection of stories and excerpts from renowned authors.
• Artisan Coffee – Italian Roast: Savor the taste of authentic Italian coffee with this dark roast, offering a rich and bold flavor.
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003): Lizzie sets off to Rome after her graduation, where she’s mistaken for an Italian pop star.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Arrivederci Roma” – performed by Renato Rascel
• “Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare)” – performed by Domenico Modugno
• “Tango delle Capinere” – performed by Carlo Lombardo

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

🤨 FAQ

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