When in Rome Review – Okayish Romcom

Do not ask us why we picked this 2010 romantic comedy from the Instant Play list on Netflix because we have no clue.

When in Rome is no masterpiece for sure but we found it to be a fairly engaging romantic comedy.

Well, at least for the most part.

Okayish Romcom
The acting was more than decent, the comic lines/moments were not sparse and the lead pair of Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel is attractive.

Hmmm, the story itself was, even allowing for suspension of disbelief and all, kinda ridiculous.

Hey, will someone tell us which comedy is not ridiculous.

But still the movie was on the whole kinda entertaining (screw all the other reviewers who have mostly panned it).

When an unlucky-in-love, obsessed with work young curator at the Guggenheim Museum Beth (Kristen Bell) visits Rome for her younger sister’s wedding, she steps into the fountain of love outside the church where she picks up a bunch of coins and a poker chip thrown into the water by men desperately yearning for love.

But before that critical moment her path in the church crosses that of a handsome American journalist Nick (Josh Dushamel), the groom’s buddy and best man at the wedding.

You can see that there’s an immediate spark of attraction from both sides in the way Beth and Nick keep talking and clinging to each other.

But a misunderstanding quickly leads Beth to the fountain alone instead of swilling champagne with Nick.

And the coins and the poker chip she’s picked up in the water leads to some fairly hilarious antics after Beth returns to New York City.

You see, the people who had thrown them into the fountain somehow manage to locate her, start following her around and passionately declare their love for her.

Not Bad
Kristen Bell has good comic timing and expressions. Sadly, she’s one of those unfortunate gals who never made it big time.

Proves yet again that in life, besides talent, you also need Lady Luck on your side.

Josh Duhamel is alright too, a kind of younger, taller Tom Hanks. Of course, Hanks is a far superior actor.

When in Rome is directed by Mark Steven Johnson based on the screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman.

We can’t understand why this movie received such a drubbing at the hands of critics. But suffice to say it did and screw ’em all.

On the whole, we’d say there are a whole lot of worse films compared to When in Rome.

5 Responses to "When in Rome Review – Okayish Romcom"

  1. rakeshbaba   April 14, 2011 at 9:09 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdd9Y166JXY
    will it be another taare zameen par?

    SearchIndia.com Responds:

    Thanks.

    Just watched it. Looks interesting.

  2. முனிAndy   April 14, 2011 at 10:23 am

    She is very successful on TV (and she has been on several “hot” lists like Maxim, Stuff etc – so men like her). And has had decent returns at the box office.
    http://www.the-numbers.com/people/KBELL.php

    So can’t say that she didn’t make it big.. she may not be a superstar, but she is in the next tier.. which is a pretty good achievement for her 5′ 1″ frame.

    SearchIndia.com Responds:

    Kristen Bell reminded us of Anne Hathaway, who, of course, is a much bigger star.

    • முனிAndy   April 14, 2011 at 10:47 am

      One major difference between Hathaway and Bell..

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8OU0gQuKg

      Watched Love and Other Drugs yet? 😉 It is safely stowed away in my DVR. I recorded it off a PPV, but yet to watch it. I want to test the theory that we can’t watch a PPV after a certain time even if it is on the DVR.. For good measure I have copied it to an external HD too.. let’s see

      SearchIndia.com Responds:

      Nice video (above). We thought Anne Hathaway was also built along similar lines. 😉

      Love and Other Drugs ? Not yet. Soon, hopefully.

  3. Naveen   April 14, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    Suggestion: Why don’t you add the link to all your movie reviews under some section on the right side of the page? It makes it easy to locate for lazy people like me.

    Recently watched “The Next Three Days” * Russell Crowe. Starts slow but picks up pace, nothing great but fairly entertaining.

    SearchIndia.com Responds:

    You write: Suggestion: Why don’t you add the link to all your movie reviews under some section on the right side of the page? It makes it easy to locate for lazy people like me.

    Done.

    Look on the right below Log In. You’ll find All SI Movie Reviews.

  4. முனிAndy   April 19, 2011 at 10:49 am

    RT got this one horribly wrong.. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/piranha_3d/ craporific (I am guessing that your rating system will be shitty). – maybe because I watched the “highlight” scenes already.. no chills or thrills.. just boobs all over.. The sequel is interestingly named.. piranha 3DD. I hope there is no silicone in it..

    SearchIndia.com Responds:

    We vaguely remember seeing a Piranha movie some centuries back in India.

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