Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Disillusioned with romance, Beth, an ambitious New Yorker, travels to Rome for her sister's wedding, where she plucks magic coins from a special fountain of love. The coins attract unwanted attention from an assortment of odd yet ardent suitors: a sausage merchant, a street magician, an artist, and a male model. But when the best man from the wedding, persistent reporter Nick, throws his hat in the ring, Beth wonders if his love is the real thing.
When in Rome is a formulaic romantic comedy that hits every expected beat without distinction. The magical coin premise offers a slight fantasy twist, but the execution is lazy and predictable. The ensemble of wacky suitors provides some mild comedy but feels scattershot and underdeveloped. Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel have modest chemistry, but the script gives them little to work with. Cinematography captures Rome and New York adequately. The ending resolves exactly as expected with no surprises. Overall a forgettable entry in the genre that coasts on its premise without earning much of its goodwill.