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When in Rome
- Review Date: January 18, 2010
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Teen-appeal actors disappoint in stereotypical romcom.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this romantic comedy depicts enchanted
suitors who -- under a magical spell -- basically stalk a woman in a bid for her love. Although
there's no explicit sexuality, there are several passionate kisses, and
in one scene newlyweds appear topless except for an apron, which hides sensitive spots. There are a few comedic pratfalls, but no serious violence, and a few product placements that are obvious but not over-the-top. As is the case with many romantic comedies, the protagonist is a stereotype of a workaholic woman in search of love.
What's the story?
Beth (Kristen Bell)
is an ambitious modern-art curator at New York's Guggenheim Museum who
puts work above all else. On a trip to Rome for her sister's
wedding, she hits it off with dashing best man Nick (Josh Duhamel)
... until she sees him kissing another woman. Drunk and angry, Beth steps
into a "fountain of love" and starts grabbing coins, which sparks a spell
causing all of the men who threw the coins to instantly fall
in love with her. Somehow, the men -- a street magician (Jon Heder), a sausage tycoon (Danny DeVito), a self-absorbed model (Dax Shepard), and an aspiring artist (Will Arnett) --
follow Beth around back in New York, while an equally smitten Nick
tries to convince her to go out with him. Beth reluctantly starts
believing in the spell and fears that Nick, the only suitor whose
feelings she returns, isn't truly in love with her. Is his affection
based on the fountain's powers, or just the magic of true love?
Is it any good?
Director Mark Steven Johnson deserves an award for wasting the talents of so many comic actors. The supporting actors are all much, much funnier in their other films, and the screenplay is so formulaic that even a fifth grader could guess what's bound to happen. Yes, Bell is adorable and Duhamel is hunky, but their looks alone can't save this utterly predictable and gag-inducing sappy story.
WHEN IN ROME is further proof that it's nearly impossible to find an original, memorable romantic comedy. The entire genre has been diluted into a series of stereotypes (including the over-dependence on cities like Rome and New York) and plot bunnies unworthy of undergraduate screenwriting courses. It's not that romantic comedies aren't worth watching as a whole (although the truly remarkable ones are getting rarer and rarer), but this one sure isn't.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the theme of real love versus unrequited infatuation. Does following someone you like around, sending them presents, and trying to force them to return your feelings work? Are the spellbound suitors funny, or do they seem creepy? What would teens do if this happened in real life?
What romantic-comedy stereotypes appear in this movie?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Definetly NOT the best . . .
Just went to go see this movie in the cheap seats with my sister and a couple of friends, and I must say, it was kind of a dissapointment. The commercials showed a less fluffy looking movie, and one that looked better then the one that we saw. It was good for a couple of laughs, especially the scene where all of Beth's potential suitors drive her to the Guggenheim. An okay movie, but I'm glad I only payed 3 bucks for my ticket.
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AGE
Creatively illustrated romcom about the pros and cons of love.
Full of laughs from start to finish this movie was adorable. My favorite line in the whole movie you ask?: "Your stalking me now?" "No I'm just... running into you in a premeditated manner." The overall movie was very clean. Just a few of the jokes were a teeny bit sexual, nothing awful though. The men whose coins were taken, oh wow! Hilarious! To have Dax Shepard play one of them while his real-life girlfriend Kristen Bell (Beth), had to act creeped out by him? The moral and message was genuine and heartfelt. It's a great family movie if you have teenage kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 21, 2010
AGE
Good for tweens
Everything is good except in one part of the movie it shows one of the men who has fallen in love with her painting her nude. You get a glimpse of her chest (breasts), then the platform falls and blocks her private that's it.
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AGE
When in Rome
i think it had a great story to it! i recomend it
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AGE
Good for Middle School and Up....
When in Rome is a classic, comeidic, romance. It uses some iffy language, but a majority of 12 year olds have most likely already heard it used. The kids veiwing this movie just needs to learn not to use it innapropriatly. You do notice product placement but, again they aren't saying, only blackberry's get service in rome. The messages and role models are good. Beth works to succide and Nick also has a steady job. When in Rome is a great movie and kids 12 and up should veiw it.
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AGE
I liked it :)
I didn't think it would be this good, but it was. I was happy with the movie, funny movie, and great actors, espeacially the men that are chasing her....
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AGE
Worst.
Disillusioned with romance during her whirlwind trip to Rome, an ambitious New Yorker defiantly swipes a few magic coins from a "foolish" wishing fountain, inadvertently igniting the passions of a motley crew of suitors as she's pursued by a handsome reporter with charm to spare. Beth (Kristen Bell) is at a point in her life where love seems like a luxury she just can't afford. Years of waiting for that perfect romance has made Beth bitter, and one day, while vacationing in Rome, she cynically plucks a handful of coins from a local fountain of love. Almost immediately thereafter, Beth finds herself fending off the advances of a diminutive sausage magnate (Danny DeVito), a lanky street magician (Jon Heder), a doting painter (Will Arnett), and a narcissistic male model (Dax Shepard). Meanwhile, a smitten reporter (Josh Duhamel) does his best to convince Beth that true love isn't just a topic of fairy tales and romance novels.
what an awful movie it is, so dull and bad bad just pure bad. i hated it. one of the worst Romantic comedy ever. i rated it Not interested but saw it on TV. movie has some tiny miny potential but it just didn't work. i don't even wan't to talk much about it.
direction was bad, screenplay was awful. i really like Josh Duhamel but everyone else were awful. bad everything. thats it, NOT RECOMMENDED at all.
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AGE
Not As Innappropriate As I Would Have Thought
The movie was good and I loved all the actors in it, but it was kind of cliche. Despite that it was very good though. One thing I liked about it was unlike the typical romantic comedy, it did not have a lot of sex. In fact I don't think it had any at all! I can see why they would rate it PG-13, but I think it is appropriate for younger kids too.
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AGE
Just fine for ages 10+
I could not see why it was rated PG-13. It was so innocent. Except for the nude painting. Other than that, it was so clean.
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| Studio: | Touchstone Pictures |
| Director: | Mark Steven Johnson |
| Cast: | Anjelica Huston, Josh Duhamel, Kristen Bell |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 29, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | June 15, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some suggestive content |
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