review by Walter Andrade
To Rome with Love 2012
Watched Jul 11, 2012
Walter Andrade’s review:
Besides this horrible title, (both previous choices from the director were much better) To Rome, With Love is a easy and entertaining comedy.
Woody Allen is getting really old and lazy, but he still can write funny dialogues and hilarious situations. Worthy.
Yes I admit this does not look entirely intriguing to run out to the cinemas to go see. But what did you think of Midnight In Paris? Despite Allen's age (which I do agree with your statement, Whatever Works and You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger are both lazy in plot but still you have to admit they are much better than most of the films Hollywood has to offer nowadays), however I thought Midnight In Paris to be fantastic and highly original.
I liked Midnight in Paris! But it was because I'm a literature lover, it was absolutely fantastic to me to see all those great writers in the screen. However, the cinematography is incredibly poor, almost exclusively "post-card photography". Did you see The Purple Rose of Cairo? It's much better than Midnight in Paris if the subject is the screenplay. Still, the story of Midnight in Paris is better than the vulgarity of To Tome, With Love, even though, the second film is more funny. This isn't exactly the kind of movie I'd say: "Run to the theater!", but you may laugh a little bit more watching it in the big screen. :)
I have not seen "Purple Rose" yet, in fact there is a good bit of Allen's work I have not explored. But his filmography is so large it is easy to do, I still would say I have easily seen over 10 of his films, old and new and cinematography never seemed to be a strong suit of his anyway so maybe that is why it did not bother me. If you want to talk about funny Allen, I think Deconstructing Harry is his best. One of my favorite comedies of all time. I think I will enjoy To Rome With Love as there has not been a Allen film that I have not liked but it will probably seem much more underwhelming compared to Midnight in Paris from last year.
Yes, you're right, Allen was never exactly good when the subject was cinematography.
I haven't seen Deconstructing Harry but you bet it is already on my watchlist, gonna watch it as soon as I can. :D
If you are a fan of Bergman, you will notice how the plot of Deconstructing Harry is a big spoof of Wild Strawberries "Woody Allen style". I have not seen any of Allen's serious films where he is trying to imitate Bergman such as Interiors, September, Another Woman, etc.
Allen loves Bergman as well. I think he said Bergman was the best filmmaker ever.
Allen aping Bergman is probably awful, hahaha, I don't think I wanna see it. :P