Woody Allen's career took a turn a few years ago when he found out that Americans had stopped watching his films. Perhaps not all of them but not enough to make his film successful there. He realised that he was more popular in Europe. As a result the only people to finance his films are Europeans. So now it seems he is traveling that continent making a film in each country to satiate his financiers. He is now reached Italy. Unlike his last few films this one is made up of 4 smaller stories as opposed to one big story. This can lead to some stories being stronger than others. As many know I am a huge fan of Woody Allen so I enjoy pretty much anything that he does. I am willing to admit that his latest effort has its weaknesses. I enjoyed this film much more than his previous film 'Midnight In Paris'. That film had a more broad appeal which is why it was so successful. 'To Rome With Love' has much for everyone to enjoy but it also has some elements from Woody Allen's older days which is what made it more appealing for me. This is evident in the plot involving an Opera director who finds out his daughter's father-in-law is a great opera singer but only in certain circumstances. It is a very silly idea but I found it to be one of the funniest things in the film. Woody manages to make his characters convincing enough that they go along with such a ridiculous idea. My favourite story was the one involving an average guy who suddenly becomes a major celebrity. It is a very clever and modern satire on the celebrity culture of today. The other two plots are a little weaker. The story of a married couple who get split up and go through a series of misunderstanding. It is funny but in a much broader sense. The other story of a guy who falls for his sister's friend starts off well but does not really go anywhere as interesting as the set up.
It is so great to see Woody back on screen again. Being the writer and director he gives himself some of the film's best lines. I think he is the best choice to play the opera director as he knows how to play the comedy in such a silly situation. Alec Baldwin does a very good job but is more the straight man with Jesse Eisenberg as his comedy partner. Jesse once again plays his nervous nerdy role. Penelope Cruz works well in a slightly stereotypical role. Judy Davis having worked with Woody many times now is excellent as his wife in this film. Ellen Page is quite good as an object of affection. Sadly Greta Gerwig does not have much good material to work with. By far the best performance is by Roberto Benigni. He is the perfect choice to play an ordinary who suddenly becomes famous. He is a gifted comedy performer who knows all the right expression to pull and is great at the physical comedy.
For me this is a bigger return to form for Woody than his last film. With glimpses of the type of comedy that made him famous in the 1970's.
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