"When in Rome" is quite the trip

I am a big Romantic Comedy fan but I have to admit that a really good film in this genre can be hard to find. So many movies come out that claim to be the funniest/most romantic movie of the year when in reality they are mediocre films with a couple of laughs that are all included in the trailer to begin with. This is what I worried would happen with the new film When In Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel. However I think that both of these actors are excellent and figured I’d give the film a try, hoping that they were both smart enough to pick a winner. Thank God I did.

“When In Rome” tells the story of Beth (Bell) and how she is constantly unlucky in love. Beth ends up stealing coins from the “fountain of love” in Rome, which causes the men who threw the coins in to fall in love with her. She then ends up being constantly hounded by these men who try to woo her though she is only interested in Nick (Duhamel), whom it is assumed also threw a coin into the fountain. Both actors manage to do an excellent job making their characters both entertaining and relatable.

The one thing that I really loved about “When In Rome” is the fact that it relied more heavily on the funny than the cute. It’s a film that a couple could go see on a date which would keep both girl and boy entertained. While the primary concentration is on Beth and Nick’s relationship, the other men whose coins Beth took from the fountain bring a nice hunk of comic gold to the film. Probably the most welcome surprise is veteran actor Danny DeVito who plays Al Russo, the sausage king, one of Beth’s many suitors. DeVito brings that touch of comic class to the film, by managing to play an outrageous and crazy character that you can’t help but adore no matter what ridiculous things he says or does.
However, of Beth’s suitors, the true scene stealer would have to be Gale played by Dax Shepard. Gale is a model who is fully convinced that the only person in the whole world more beautiful than himself is Beth. With characters who are a strong mix of vanity and stupidity, the usual result is someone who the viewer can’t stand and just wants off the screen. However Shepard’s portrayal of the character is masterful, managing to keep the comic timing perfect. The film also boasts strong performances by Jon Heder and Will Arnett as Beth’s other pursuers.

The boys who are after Beth aren’t the only ones who make “When In Rome” a great film. Possibly the funniest character in the whole film would be Nate’s best friend Puck played by SNL cast member Bobby Moynihan. It is nearly impossible to keep from laughing at every word that comes out of Moynihan’s character. While he may not be part of the primary cast, the film just wouldn’t be as good without the laughs that his character brings.

“When In Rome” definitely is in that category of the few romantic comedies that are worth seeing. With excellent acting and fantastic writing, “When in Rome” delivers and makes you laugh throughout the whole film while still managing to give you that warm feeling inside. It’s definitely worth the trip.