When In Rome parents guide

When In Rome Parent Guide

Even with some clunky editing and unbelievable circumstances, "When In Rome" conjures up enough comedic charm and redeeming moments to make it a tolerable choice for older teens and adults.

Overall B-

Beth Harper (Kristen Bell) may have a promising career, but there are no prospects in her romantic future. So, while on a trip to Rome, the young woman fishes some coins out of a reputed "fountain of love," hoping her luck will change. And it does… but not exactly in the way she had hoped.

Release date January 29, 2010

Violence B+
Sexual Content B-
Profanity B
Substance Use C+

Why is When In Rome rated PG-13? The MPAA rated When In Rome PG-13 for some suggestive content.

Run Time: 91 minutes

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Parent Movie Review

Beth (Kristen Bell) is married to her career and that’s not all bad. The up-and-coming art curator is planning a big show, one that will solidify her position at the museum where she works under the scrutinizing glare of her director (Anjelica Huston). But in her personal relationships, Beth doesn’t do so well.

Chalk it up to her demanding schedule or the poor example she has in her father (Don Johnson), a serial romantic who is currently marrying his way through a string of wives. The poor state of her love life comes to the forefront when both her ex-boyfriend (Lee Pace) and her younger sister (Alexis Dziena) announce their separate engagements. Invited to attend her sister’s wedding in Rome, Beth squeezes in a 48-hour whirlwind escape from her New York office and flies to the Italian capital to play maid of honor.

Standing at the altar, the wedding party waits for the groom’s (Luca Calvani) best man to arrive. Finally a rumpled Nick (Josh Duhamel) rushes into the chapel, stumbling over himself and dropping his phone as he scurries up the aisle. It’s not exactly love at first sight but by the end of the evening (and with enough champagne) Beth, in a cleavage-baring gown, is starting to like the guy. At least she is until she catches him smooching a dark-haired local girl (Valentina Roma).

Despairing over her situation, the inebriated sister of the bride steps into one of the city’s famous fountains and pulls out a handful of coins thrown in by people looking for love. Unbeknownst to her, the simple action casts a magical spell and suddenly the guys who lobbed the tokens find themselves smitten by Beth.

Back in New York, she is hounded by the unexpectedly besotted bachelors; a street magician (Jon Heder), a male model (Dax Shepard), a middle-aged sausage maker (Danny Devito) and an aspiring artist (Will Arnett) who paints a huge, full frontal nude mural of her on the side of a city building. In addition, she gets calls from the klutzy best man who works as a sportswriter in town. Yet as she finds herself falling for Nick, she fears their budding romance is only the result of her coin-collecting spree as well.

Like most romantic comedies that occur in a condensed time period, this script has plenty of manufactured moments designed to hurry along the plot. In this case it’s the spell that seemingly forces the men to fall in love with Beth and hunt her down like bloodhounds. Unfortunately most of these characters are so out of the ordinary that it is easy to understand why she feels like she is being stalked instead of courted. Beth’s hot and cold responses to Nick (passionate kissing one minute, cold shoulder the next) also make it hard to understand why he keeps pursuing her—unless of course he is compelled by the enchantment.

Yet even with some clunky editing and unbelievable circumstances, When In Rome conjures up enough comedic charm and redeeming moments to make it a tolerable choice for older teens and adults who are looking for love at the movies.

Directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Starring Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel. Running time: 91 minutes. Theatrical release January 29, 2010. Updated

When In Rome
Rating & Content Info

Why is When In Rome rated PG-13? When In Rome is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some suggestive content.

Sexual content in this film includes some cleavage-baring outfits, passionate kissing and sexually oriented innuendo. A male character comments on numerous relationships with women. A newly married couple cooks together while partially undressed (with limited nudity shown). An artist sketches and paints pictures of a naked woman, including a several story high mural on the exterior of a building that depicts full frontal nudity. Some suggestive song lyrics are used. Drinking is portrayed at home, wedding celebrations and other social events. A woman becomes inebriated after downing alcohol to excess in one scene. Characters are hit by a car and horse drawn buggies. A man runs into objects and falls down an open stairwell. Characters discuss a man’s past injuries caused by a lightening strike. The script contains mild profanities and terms of Deity.

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When In Rome Parents' Guide

Nick takes Beth to a pitch-black restaurant where patrons eat in total darkness. And the eating establishment doesn’t appear to be a hoax. Would you enjoy an experience like this? What reservations might you have?

How does Beth’s work impact her personal life? Do you think she uses it as an excuse to avoid love? Is there a way to balance the two?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of When In Rome movie is June 15, 2010. Here are some details…

Release Date: 15 June 2010

When In Rome arrives on DVD and Blu-ray with the following extras:

- Music Videos: Starstruckby 30H!3 featuring Katy Perry and Stupid Love Letter by Friday Night Boys

- Featurette: Kerplunk! Bloopers from Rome.

- Deleted Scenes.

When In Rome on Blu-ray also includes:

- Additional deleted scenes.

- Alternate Opening/Ending.

- Extended Scenes: Pain with the Suitors.

- Featurette: Crazy Casanovas: Mischief From The Set.

Related home video titles:

Rome is also the setting for a princess who escapes her royal duties in order to enjoy a Roman Holiday in the famed city. Other visitors to the Italian capital wish for love in Three Coins in the Fountain. Josh Duhamel also plays a high-living movie star who goes out with a grocery clerk in hopes of restoring his nice boy image in Win a Date with Todd Hamilton!

 

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