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"WHEN IN ROME" (2010) (Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Minor Heavy None None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy Mild Mild Minor Mild Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Minor Moderate Moderate Moderate QUICK TAKE: Comedy: A cynical career woman from Manhattan steals five coins from an enchanted Italian fountain, causing five very different men to fall in love with her. PLOT: Beth (KRISTEN BELL) is an unlucky-in-love New Yorker, who takes a break from catering to her boss Celeste's (ANJELICA HUSTON) every whim to travel to Rome for her sister Joan's (ALEXIS DZIENA) wedding. At the ceremony, she falls for Nick (JOSH DUHAMEL), the groom's charming best man. When she finds him kissing another woman, though, Beth promptly gets drunk and ends up in an enchanted Italian street fountain. There, she steals four coins and a poker chip to save the five poor wounded hearts who threw them in the pain of waiting around for true love. Back in Manhattan, she's shocked to find that five very different men have fallen head over heels in love with her: Antonio (WILL ARNETT), a struggling street artist; Lance (JON HEDER), an overly dramatic magician; Gale (DAX SHEPARD), a self-absorbed male model; Al (DANNY DEVITO), a diminutive sausage mogul; and, to her surprise, Nick from the wedding. Eventually, though, Beth discovers that these were the five men who had thrown the four coins and the poker chip into the fountain wishing for true romance. Beth is in love with Nick, but doesn't trust that his love is real. Meanwhile, she recognizes the other four guys are nice men and doesn't want to hurt them. How can she break the spell, get the guy, and not hurt anybody? WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Younger ones won't, but older teens who were fans of Bell on "Veronica Mars" and "Heroes" or Duhamel in the "Transformers" movies may be compelled. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For suggestive content. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: KRISTEN BELL plays a headstrong Manhattan woman who has been unlucky in love her whole life but must then contend with the five men being in love with her. She is the child of divorce who drinks in most social situations, sometimes to the point of inebriation. JOSH DUHAMEL plays a former football player famous for being hit by lightning in a game. He now works as a sports journalist and becomes smitten with Beth at a wedding. He gambles often at the game of poker and is a casual drinker. ANJELICA HUSTON plays Beth's demanding boss who threatens her constantly with firing if she doesn't do her job. WILL ARNETT plays a street artist who becomes smitten with Beth to the point where he stalks her all over New York, even painting a mural of her on the side of a building. JON HEDER plays a magician who falls in love with Beth to the point where he also stalks her throughout Manhattan. He has a habit of doing magic tricks to impress her even after she implores him to stop. DAX SHEPARD plays a self-absorbed male model who also stalks Beth all over the city, professing his love for her. DANNY DeVITO plays a sausage mogul who falls for Beth even as he is grieving over his first wife. He isn't as aggressive as the other three, but does chase her around a museum exhibit. ALEXIS DZIENA plays Beth's little sister, who has agreed to marry a man after meeting him just two weeks earlier. BOBBY MOYNIHAN plays Nick's friend and newspaper colleague who doesn't want to lose his buddy to a relationship with Beth. So he agrees to spy on her and take photos. He is a frequent drinker and likes to play poker. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this romantic comedy that has been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least four "damns," while other colorful phrases are also uttered. Some mild, sexually related dialogue is also present, while some fooling around occurs on-screen, off-screen sex between a married couple is implied, and some artwork shows partial nudity. Some slapstick-style violence is present throughout, none of which has bloody results. Even scenes and moments of potential peril (a man getting hit by a car, another falling from a tall building) are played for comic effect and never have any lasting injury. Bad attitudes are present, as is some potentially imitative behavior and various thematic elements. Drinking is quite prevalent, as is some gambling. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those concerned about bright flashes of light on the screen, a lightning storm at the film's climax intercut with the major characters flashing back to when they threw coins in a fountain with accompanying lightning effects also offer a momentary, but extended strobe effect that may cause discomfort for some viewers. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, all sorts of swooping camera movement occurs throughout the film often followed by sequences sped up to give the film a sense of zany energy. The opening credits sequence is somewhat dizzying, centered around a retail postcard display that spins fast changing the scene from Rome to New York and back again. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Wine and other spirits are served at a gallery show Beth has produced. Beth and her sister drink wine at Beth's apartment. Wine, champagne and other spirits are served at Joan's wedding. Beth throws a vase through a display of champagne glasses a waiter is filling fountain-style. Beth grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses and prepares to bring them to Nick. When she sees him kissing another woman, she takes a long swig from the bottle then proceeds to get drunk. Nick and his buddies drink beers while playing poker. Bottles of liquor and whiskey are displayed in the background throughout the scene. One of the songs on the movie's soundtrack features the line: "Some girls are drunk on love." Customers are shown consuming wine at a zany restaurant where the customers are rendered sightless and the wait staff wears night-vision goggles. Beth and Nick go on a date there and order a bottle of wine. Puck shows up at Nick's apartment with a six-pack of beer. BLOOD/GORE Lance approaches Beth in a creepy, crazy-eyed way and proceeds to steal her watch repeatedly to show her how gifted he is at performing magic. He then pulls out a fake, bloody heart from his shirt and drops it on the ground. A random kid then kicks the prop. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Celeste threatens Beth's job security in order to get to her to perform her duties up to her high expectations. Nick's cell phone goes off at Joan's wedding. Nick graciously agrees to translate Beth's wedding toast in Italian. But he doesn't understand as much as he thinks he does and ends up knowingly translating Beth's words into phrases and sentences he knows, leading the guests to believe that Beth has the hots for the groom. At the wedding, Beth says to her father: "You're due for another wife soon." Also at the wedding, Beth and Nick gossip about how long they believe Joan and the groom will stay married. Beth's mother tells her that Nick "looks nice, but so did your father" (meaning that Nick is likely a cad, too). Nick and a priest confess to playing each other in poker the night before Joan's wedding and the priest winning big. Beth's assistant, in an attempt to be more assertive, claims to have told an important client of Beth's to "shove it" over the phone. Antonio chases after Beth in a deranged, romantic fashion through Central Park eventually running into a horse-drawn carriage. Gale approaches Beth in a restaurant and shows him a portfolio of photos of himself, shirtless and in suggestive poses. He then takes off his shirt at the table to show her his physique. Lance approaches Beth in a creepy, crazy-eyed way and proceeds to steal her watch repeatedly to show her how gifted he is at performing magic. He then pulls out a fake, bloody heart from his shirt and drops it on the ground. A random kid then kicks the prop. Al chases Beth around a museum exhibit, professing his love for her. Nick agrees to let Puck, a newspaper photographer, follow Beth around New York and take pictures of her with other guys who may or may not be his romantic rivals. Lance gains entry into Beth's apartment with a videographer, wraps himself up as a mummy, hangs upside down, and tries to escape the bandages Houdini-style to try and impress her. Beth, in frustration, screams at a random man who has recognized her on the street. It turns out, it was just her dentist offering a friendly "Hello." Puck comically tells Beth that he hates her and that she's ruining his life for making Nick doubt the joys of bachelorhood. Celeste again threatens Beth's job security as a means of motivating her. Beth's assistant steals the magical four coins and a poker chip so Beth doesn't end her fantasy too soon. Nick yells at God when he is almost hit by another bolt of lightning. Antonio eventually comes clean and confesses that he is really "Tony" from New Jersey and drops the comical Italian accent. FRIGHTENING SCENES None. GUNS/WEAPONS None. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Damn it," "You, I don't give a damn about," "What's your damn problem?" "What the hell is going on?" "What the hell just happened?" "He dumped you like yesterday's trash," "How sexy is that?" "I can't have you booty-calling me," "This marriage has the shelf life of a banana," "Your father's current tramp of the month," "What a crock," "I told them to shove it," "What an idiot," "I don't speak idiot," "Douche," "Sit down, gas guy," "Put your shirt back on, creep," "Are you out of your friggin' mind, dude?" "Jeez, Louise," "I hate you. You're ruining my life," "This really sucks," "I would love to do a nude with you," "Speak now or forever hold your pieces," "Do you take Beth to be your awful wedded wife?" and "Do you take Nick to be your awful wedded husband?" One of Beth's colleagues has a nose ring. Joan gets engaged to a man after only knowing him for two weeks. An Italian cab driver motors through the streets of Rome erratically and at a high speed. When Beth is unable to break a vase at a wedding (in accordance with Italian tradition), she goes to comical lengths to try and smash it including hitting it with a microphone stand. Out of frustration, she bounces it and inadvertently hits the groom's elderly grandmother, knocking her over. To end the spectacle, Nick throws the vase hard against a wall and thoroughly obliterates it. Gale removes his shirt in a Manhattan restaurant, hoping his muscles will entice Beth. Wedding guests give Beth dirty looks and are cold to her after she botches the toast. After seeing Nick kiss another woman, a drunken Beth takes off her shoes and climbs into a public fountain in Rome. Nick and a priest confess to playing poker the night before Joan's wedding. Nick is later shown, back in New York, enjoying a poker night with three of his buddies. Gale takes off his shirt in a crowded restaurant, revealing his arm and shoulder tattoos. Gale wears a jogging suit identical to Beth's, hoping she'll agree to exercise with him. Lance hangs out of a window many stories off the ground at Beth's workplace and tries to do a magic trick that will impress her. But he is clumsy and falls. At another point, Lance gains entry into Beth's apartment with a videographer, wraps himself up as a mummy, hangs upside down, and tries to escape the bandages Houdini-style to try and impress her. Beth runs into Manhattan traffic to get away from her admirers. Nick fakes like his eyes are really injured after Beth accidentally sprays breath freshener into his face. Gale tearfully relates to Nick the story of Picasso's affair with a teenager, 30 years his junior, who he eventually leaves for another woman. The younger woman subsequently hangs herself shortly after Picasso's death. Antonio drives fast and erratically through Midtown Manhattan, almost hitting multiple people as he takes his tiny Italian car onto sidewalks and even into the Guggenheim Museum. Nick runs out into Manhattan traffic during a blackout and is hit by a car being driven by Puck. Puck peels out in his sports car and drives away at a rapid rate of speed. Beth can't say "I do" at her wedding and runs out of the church. Beth again takes off her shoes and climbs into the Italian street fountain. She is soon joined by Nick who follows her into the fountain and professes his love for her. JUMP SCENES The film's climax involves multiple lightning strikes and thunder claps, which occur as Beth gives back the coins and poker chip to each man. The sequence isn't played to scare, but the quick-cut nature of the editing may cause some to indeed "jump" in their seats. At one point, a lightning bolt hits a statue near Nick. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) Some intense, overplayed, "madcap" music occurs at the film's climax as a lightning storm blacks out parts of New York City and punctuates Beth's efforts to give each man back his coins and poker chip. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) One of the songs on the movie's soundtrack features the line: "Some girls are drunk on love." PROFANITY At least 4 damns and 2 hells. SEX/NUDITY Beth's friend and several attendees wear dresses during an opening museum party sequence that show cleavage. Beth wears a dress at her sister's wedding reception that shows cleavage. Nick playfully doesn't let Beth have his cell phone because he says she would then have his number, explaining, "I can't have you booty-calling me." Beth briefly sees a pencil drawing Antonio did of her as a heavy woman naked, with her private parts concealed. Gale shows Beth his portfolio of male-model photos, and they are all of him shirtless in comically suggestive poses. Gale removes his shirt in a Manhattan restaurant, hoping his muscles will entice Beth. Antonio paints a massive nude mural of Beth on the side of a building (her private parts are obscured by scaffolding). Joan and her new husband get frisky with each other while talking on the phone with Beth. When they hang up, they grab each other and disappear behind a kitchen counter resulting in implied, off-screen sex. He is shirtless throughout the scene. Gale is shown with his chest and stomach exposed on a bus advertisement. The camera then pans over to the real Gale in the flesh in the same suggestive pose. Gale tearfully relates to Nick the story of Picasso's affair with a teenager, 30 years his junior, who he eventually leaves for another woman. Beth and Nick make out hard at his apartment, and it's clear the scene is leading to sex. But Beth cuts it off when she realizes that Nick is the one who tossed the poker chip into the Italian fountain (she sees poker chips on his desk). Gale the male model tells Antonio the street artist, "I would love to do a nude with you." SMOKING An ashtray is clearly visible during a poker game with Nick and his buddies. No one is shown smoking, but the implication that they will is clear. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Beth and Joan are the children of divorce. Beth and Joan's father is dating a much younger woman. Beth and her mother both make sarcastic remarks in reference to the May-December romance. It's all played for giggles, but there are clearly hurt feelings there. Late in the film, Al admits he is still grieving his first wife. It's not entirely made clear, though, if he is a widower or if the woman left/divorced him. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The power of superstition. The wisdom of staying sober at social gatherings. The effects of parents' divorcing, and how it often impacts adult children's outlook on love and romantic relationships. Stalking, and how it's really not funny. VIOLENCE When Beth is unable to break a vase at a wedding (in accordance with Italian tradition), she goes to comical lengths to try and smash it including hitting it with a microphone stand. Out of frustration, she bounces it and inadvertently hits the groom's elderly grandmother, knocking her over. To end the spectacle, Nick throws the vase hard against a wall and thoroughly obliterates it. Antonio runs into a horse-drawn carriage while chasing Beth across Central Park. Beth sprays breath spray into Nick's face when he surprises her in an alley. Nick accidentally falls into a cellar. Al slaps Nick across the face several times in a darkened restaurant. Nick accidentally walks face-first into a tree. In a brief flashback, Nick is shown getting tackled hard in a football game and then hit by lightning. Nick playfully throws a basketball at Puck. Antonio drives fast and erratically through Midtown Manhattan, almost hitting multiple people as he takes his tiny Italian car onto sidewalks and even into the Guggenheim Museum. Nick runs out into Manhattan traffic during a blackout and is hit by a car being driven by Puck. Reviewed January 27, 2010 / Posted January 29, 2010

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