There have been so many wonderful movies made in Italy. Having been there, I understand why a movie studio would want to film there, to use the beautiful country for a backdrop. Just with the title of this movie, I figured I could not lose; at the worst I would get to see gorgeous scenery. Well, that was all I really got out of this redundant movie. I think Woody Allen (Scoop, Annie Hall) over extended himself by doing the writing, directing and starring in this film. There were concurrent multiple stories and I felt none of them were solid enough to stand on their own. The humor was stale and to a degree cheap, as if Woody mined his previous movies and old monologues for jokes.  There was an ensemble of actors such as Alec Baldwin (The Departed, It’s Complicated), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Adventureland) and Greta Gerwig (Lola Versus, Arthur). I did not find any of their roles enjoyable; they were either looney or boring. This film was a let down for me since I loved Woody’s last film, Midnight in Paris. I assumed this comedy would be another winner with the cast and location; I was wrong. After the movie I came back home, opened up a carton of ice cream (imagining it was gelato) and went through my photos of Italy. I had a better time then I did at the movie theater.

1 3/4 stars