“FIVE SUITORS IN THE FOUNTAIN”
Starring: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Jon Heder and Danny De Vito
Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
By John Delia
Here’s a good example of a good comedic cast working together to bring a good-natured romantic comedy to the screen. Now on DVD and Blu-ray When in Rome translates extremely well to the home theatre setting and provides a lot of laughs with some mushy amorous interludes.
The movie centers on Beth (Kristen Bell) a hard working and unlucky in love New Yorker who travels to Rome, Italy to attend her sister’s wedding. At the reception she meets the handsome Nick (Josh Duhamel) who sweeps her off her feet. She mistakenly sees him that same evening with another woman in what looks like a compromising clinch and Beth fades into a depressing mood. She walks out on the piazza and without regard fishes out some coins that were wished upon by various men. When the men become under her romantic spell they start to pursue her.
The comedic acting here is very good with enjoyable performances by Jon Heder, Danny DeVito, Dax Sheppard and Will Arnett as the raving loonies that fall under Beth’s spell. Even though each make their characters silly, corny or just plain ridiculous the comedy works extremely well and delivers the laughs.
The DVD and Blu-ray have some interesting bonus features that are worth the watch. The additional material includes deleted scenes, very funny bloopers and more. For Blu-ray disc owners there’s a special alternate opening and ending that make the film even more delightful for those who have already seen the film at the movie theatre.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun romantic comedy that doesn’t loose it’s luster in your living room. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)