Woody's romance with the old world continues

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2012)

Did you ever fancy stealing a ride away with a secret object of your affection, on a pastel Vespa down the cobbled streets of Rome? The melody of the accordion notes weighs in the breeze, aroma of the oak wines rises with gentle swirls and the drama of architecture dallies with our humble veracities.
Rome is to romance, as romance to Rome, and Allen reprises the magnificence of the Eternal city, in an intertwined pragmatic tale of several characters. Boasting of a seasoned cast as that of Roberto Benigni, playing the character of Leopoldo, an average Joe turned overnight reality television celebrity, bewildered with his newfound claim to fame, John (Alec Baldwin) playing the alter ego of Jack (Jesse Eisenberg), a young confused architect enticed by his fiancé's promiscuous friend, Monica (Ellen Page), a young actress. A young couple arrives in the city (played by Alessandro Tiberi and Alessandra Mastronardi), only to be lost in the streets, one to wind up in the company of an acerbic escort (Penelope Cruz) and the other on a dreamy date with a dazzling movie star. Woody Allen , braces the camera after a five year gap with a signature neurotic character, Jerry, a retired music producer rummaging for a way to 'leave a mark on this world'. The movie follows the characters disturbing the equilibrium instilled in each of their lives. Leopoldo misses his fifteen minutes of glory once it's over, Monica leaves Jack for a career in Hollywood, the young couple ends up being adulterous and Jerry is publicly criticized for making his discovered artist sing 'Volare' under the shower on stage!
The movie, laced with droll dialogue in its convoluted tales, is symbolic of truth of our lives. Each heart desires to cheat the pedantic reality with an intrepid action. Each scheme takes a different course in the light of the day. As the dream follows the day, day follows the dream.
Allen, continues his quaint romance with the old world cities, by spinning frothy tales with vibrant tunes of the orchestra and bouncy imagery of talking statues and the ruins of the Colosseum. With dominant performances by Penelope Cruz and Roberto Benigni, the younger lot (Ellen Page and Jesse Eisenberg) leaves something to be desired for the characters portrayed by them. Alec Baldwin, playing the deadpan inner conscience of Jack, is sure to make you buckle at his dispensing of advice ('if you're going to screw your best friend's fiancé, does the venue really matter?') Alessandro Tiberi and Alessandra Mastronardi deliver warm performances as the naïve domestic couple overstepping their boundaries. So make sure all roads lead to "To Rome with Love" this weekend to celebrate the genius of Woody Allen.