I think it’s time for me to say, Kristen Bell is not a movie star. While I loved Veronica Mars, that show worked well because it had a strong supporting cast, good direction, and good stories, not because Kristen Bell carried the show. As someone who really wants to go to Rome someday, I looked forward to watching When In Rome because I expected to see Rome in all it’s romantic glory instead it’s yet another Romantic Comedy set in NYC. The movie is a crushing bore that has no sense of urgency or peril. There’s no chemistry between Bell and her romantic interest Josh Duhamel. When In Rome could have worked better if not for the “magic” premise of every man who threw a coin into a fountain in Rome falling in love with her. The set looks weirdly lifeless and everyone involved seems sort of bored with what they are doing.
Presentation/Video/Audio
The video quality looks really nice, there’s a moment at the end when they are racing through town in a yellow car and that car just shines. Everything else is glossy and shiny. Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish and audio is in English, French and Spanish. I like the simple menu navigation system.
Clips
Extras
The disc is light on the Extras it includes some deleted scenes, a blooper reel, an alternative opening and ending, a couple of music videos and a 12 minute featurette.
Comments
I wanted to turn this movie off 20 minutes into it, however I stuck with it and it doesn’t get better, it’s just too empty and vanilla.
Grades
- Movie – D
- Video Quality – B
- Presentation – C
- Extras – C
Final Overall Grade – D
EM Review by
Michelle Alexandria
Originally posted 6.27.2010