Woody Allen's take on a travelogue of the charms of Rome

Rating: 7/10 (17 August 2013)

We are treated to a cornucopia of people from different countries interacting in Rome to offer a beautifully edited and charming travelogue of the best of the Eternal City. The large ensemble cast is headed by a few name stars, among them Alec Baldwin, Roberto Begnigni, Penelope Cruz and Judy Davis. The storyboard seems more French than Italian art film because Woody, himself plays the generic, mature French art film male physical comic, an at first normal seeming business or professional man who soon envelopes the whole cast in chaos as he breaks out out in uncontrollable body twitches, inappropriate insults out of nowhere, impossible dreams and whatever classic French comic heroes puff up to to make their character a nut case. The French art film mode is continued by the most alluring women in the cast photographed in scenes of particular romantic allure. It becomes more typical Italian art film when most masculine guys are filmed looking embarrassed while, although "displaying nothing", photographed in a waist wrap towel or boxer style underpants. There are some philosophic deep truths about life which move audiences and some hastily edited moments which do not unless you are hungry for a travelogue of Rome or anything Woody Allen.