Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • July 25, 2012 Allen presents four stories with magical realism by Dennis Seuling “To Rome with Love” is Woody Allen’s latest movie, following last year’s splendid “Midnight in Paris.” While it’s not quite up to the standard Allen established in “Midnight in Paris,” there is much to like in the new film: quirky characters, a soupcon of fantasy, parallel stories, witty dialogue and, of course, the spectacular beauty of the Eternal City. Jerry (Allen) and wife Phyllis (Judy Davis) are an American couple visiting their daughter, Hayley (Alison Pill) and her new Italian fiancé, Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti). Architecture student Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) and girlfriend Sally (Greta Gerwig) are working and living together until her friend Monica (Ellen Page) visits and attempts, not too subtly, to distract Jack. From time to time, John (Alec Baldwin), a famous architect who, years before, lived on the same street as Jack and Sally, appears periodically to warn Jack that Monica is trying to seduce him. Sometimes, it seems only Jack can see John, who is a sort of spirit-like relationship counselor. A small-town couple, Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) and Milly (Alessandra Mastronardi), are honeymooning in Rome, where Antonio’s straight-laced uncles are about to offer him a lucrative position, but not before he finds himself passing off a prostitute named Anna (Penelope Cruz) as his wife. An ordinary clerk, Leopoldo (Roberto Benigni), is beset one day by paparazzi who ask him all manner of mundane questions and track his every move. This fascination with such an average, ordinary soul is never explained, giving the sequence an air of the surreal. Jerry, a retired promoter and producer of avant-garde music and theater, happens to hear Michelangelo’s father, Giancarlo (real-life opera singer Fabio Armiliato), singing in the shower and tries to convince him to sing professionally. It turns out, however, that Giancarlo can sing like Caruso only in the shower, a fact that doesn’t deter Jerry from making him the world’s newest and greatest opera sensation. All of the stories have an element of fantasy and/or wish fulfillment: celebrity for Leopoldo, Giancarlo, and Milly; success for Jerry and Antonio; and a vicarious fling for Jack. The thread that runs through the tales is up to the viewer to discern, since Allen isn’t overly clear in relating them. With a lesser director, this would be a major flaw, but Allen is so adept at characterization that he is able to engage viewers while the movie meanders in its assorted directions. Leopoldo is a reluctant celebrity and is probably a metaphor for endless reality shows that propel anonymous individuals into the public spotlight. Giancarlo, too, shuns fame, content to sing in his shower and go about his business as an undertaker. Milly has a chance meeting with aging Italian movie star Luca Salta (Antonio Albanese), who relies on her infatuation with his stardom to seduce her. Monica is an out-of-work actress looking for adulation from her best friend’s boyfriend now that roles are in short supply. Even Anna is famous among her wealthy clientele, who make no attempt to hide their association with her. Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) and John (Alec Baldwin) contemplate the nature of relationships in Woody Allen’s ‘To Rome with Love.’ At 112 minutes -- about 20 minutes longer than the average Allen flick, “To Rome with Love” feels a bit bloated and lacks Allen’s usual brisk editing style. The individual stories are interesting in themselves, with each possibly offering enough meat for feature films of their own. The cast -- both American and Italian -- is perfect, with Cruz and Mastronardi being memorable standouts. Compared to “Midnight in Paris,” “To Rome with Love” lacks the cohesive quality that blended the fantasy and reality segments. Allen dances around that concept here with John, but never fully commits to it. It takes a while to realize that John may be the visual manifestation of Jack’s conscience, or perhaps John’s younger self. Viewers won’t find the quantity of one-liners that mark Allen’s earlier work, but “To Rome with Love,” rated R, is thoroughly engaging entertainment. Think of it as the summer alternative to superhero and animated movies. The characters are interesting, and it’s enjoyable to spend a couple of hours with them in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.