MOVIE REVIEW - When In Rome

Holy cow, did I really make it through When In Rome? It was tough. The only movie I have ever walked out of in my life was Gone Fishin' with Danny Glover in the 1990's. But this was the biggest challenge to that streak yet watching When in Rome with the beautiful Kristin Bell.

WIR is a romantic comedy about Beth (Bell) and Nick (Josh Duhemal.) After Beth's little sister gets engaged and married in two weeks, Beth is feeling unlucky in love. The wedding is in Rome and while there, Beth meets Nick. Beth then in a drunken state, takes 5 coins out of a sacred wishing well. Roman legend says that if you take coins out of the fountain, that whoevers coin that was, they will fall in love with you. And 5 guys fall in love with her, all of which she doesn't want. She wants Nick. This is the basic premise to WIR. It doesn't get any better - sorry.

First of all, Beth has a big time job as a curator in New York City at the Guggenheim. Kristin Bell still looks like she could be cheering for the high school football team. Her sister that gets married looks 12, and for some reason her assistant at the Guggenheim seems 14. There is a ton of horrible casting decisions here. Virtually no one in a main role is anywhere near believable, excepting Dumelah. WIR reminds us of those manic comedies of years ago. Very frantic, very awkward at times, very unfunny all the time. Silliness is the rule here. There really is no story, there are no real characters of any substance or depth.

This movie just sort of plays out in front of you. All coming to the total predictable ending you know is coming in the first 5 minutes. This looks like a rejected Disney Channel feature at best and not a theater release. And I don't know if it's a bad thing or the saving grace, but this whole thing from start to a 5 minute silly video dance scene over the closing credits finish is a whopping 85 minutes.

But in it's defense, some people thought this was a good idea. Small roles with Don Johnson, Angelica Huston, and Danny DeVito somehow were talked into this thing. Toss in a couple of cameos with Shaquille O'Neal and Lawrence Taylor too. Much if it filmed in wonderful Rome, and there's a backdrop or two that is memorable. But that's it. Plus, I don't think anyone wants to see Danny DeVito lusting after Kristin Bell. Pretty creepy even to write, but low and behold, you get to see it here on screen. Oh, lovely day!

WIR is targeted at an extremely young adult audience. And understanding that all movies can't be all things to all people, there is such a thing as just bad! And When In Rome is just bad. - Period. If this was a kids movie I'd gladly let if off the hook, but it's not. This is a serious attempt at a real movie. The majority of this mess is not the actors fault. It's just a silly story, with horrible dialogue. And there are some really bad actors in some roles that are written badly. Bell is certainly lovely on screen, but the hill is too high to climb here. This stinks, and then the ship sinks.

I know it's February, and there's little to do. But buyer beware, you may leave early to go home, when going to see When In Rome.