Rated R. 112 minutes. Starring Woody Allen, Judy Davis, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg. Directed by Woody Allen.

The lives of some visitors and residents of Rome and the romances, adventures and predicaments they get into. [imdb]

Nicole: Remember how awesome Midnight in Paris was? It was a love letter to the City of Lights and it made you want to book the next flight available so you too could experience the magic of the world’s most romantic city. So, when I heard Woody Allen was going to do for Rome what he did for Paris, I couldn’t wait to buy my ticket. Except, this was a journey I should have never embarked upon.

To Rome with Love’s flaws are many. So many, in fact, I don’t really know where to start. OK, I do. I’m lying. Let’s start with the GIGANTIC cast. Huge casts (much like Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve) generally equal poor plots. It’s hard for the audience to become invested in characters that are only going to be on screen for approximately 2.5 seconds. Harder still, convincing character development with a huge cast such as this. But the plot itself was so disjointed and unruly — like a fully packed ass that refuses to descend into the Grand Canyon. Hard to follow, sure. What’s worse? I didn’t care. Halfway through, I decided to give up on the plot altogether and just enjoy the scenery. But, even on that count — the cinematography was lackluster.

Overall, this movie felt rushed. Hastily thrown together and patched at the seams. Leaving us to wonder how Woody could follow-up a modern masterpiece like Midnight in Paris with this sloppy mess?

elizabeth: So, Nicole, please tell me how you really felt about the movie. I don’t know if I want to attach my name on this review. I keep thinking Woody is going to call to set up a meeting with me. I believe I could be his new muse. If he reads this, he might refuse to cast me in his next movie. So let’s just say that Rome was having an off day. It does happen.

While elizabeth refuses to hurt Woody’s feelings, Nciole’s gives To Rome with Love: