WHEN IN ROME
A charming cast cannot rescue this uneven magical romance.
Should You Watch It?
WHEN IN ROME has a charming cast and some funny moments, especially as five very different suitors pursue Beth. Danny DeVito and Jon Heder stand out, and the movie contains very little negative content compared with other similar PG-13 romantic comedies.
The larger problem is the story’s magic fountain. Beth’s decision to take coins from it causes the men who tossed them in to fall in love with her, making magic an active force in the characters’ romantic lives. The script also relies on coincidences and changing rules of magic, which weakens the comedy and makes it difficult to care deeply about Beth.
If you choose it, watch at home with middle schoolers and older children who can think carefully about the film’s magical ideas. For a stronger romantic comedy, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESBeth, a workaholic young woman, travels to Rome for her sister’s wedding after a painful breakup. There, she meets Nick and visits a famous fountain associated with love.
When Beth takes five coins from the fountain, five very different men suddenly pursue her. Beth is attracted to Nick but wonders whether his attention comes from genuine desire or from the fountain’s magic.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a watchable but lackluster romantic comedy. The cast is its strongest feature, with Josh Duhamel, Danny DeVito, Will Arnett, Jon Heder and Dax Shepard bringing energy to the group of suitors. Kristen Bell fares well as Beth, and there are some funny moments in the pursuit.
The script is less successful. Its exposition is clunky, its dialogue is mostly expected and cliché-ridden, and its many coincidences strain credibility. The changing “rules” of the magic also seem designed to serve the plot. Because the acting is uneven and the script does not let viewers truly know Beth, the movie struggles to make us care about her.
The Worldview
WHEN IN ROME presents a light pagan worldview in which magical wishes come true. The fountain and its coins do not merely symbolize romance; they influence the lives of the characters. That idea departs from a biblical view of love and providence, even though the film also includes a more positive claim that love means caring about another person’s good.
The story also includes a mild romantic idea that another person can give meaning to life. A priest asks God for forgiveness for playing poker and makes a wish himself, combining religious language with the film’s magical wish-making.
The movie’s better idea is that love should seek the other person’s good rather than simply satisfy personal desire. Scripture gives that idea a firmer foundation: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light pagan worldview of magic “wishes” coming true mixed with declaration that love is caring for the other’s good and a mild romantic element of looking for another person to give meaning to life, including priest character asks God for forgiveness for playing poker and also makes a wish himself; no obscenities and three profanities; slapstick violence of man hits pole, man hit by car, man walks into wall, man struck by lightning; no sexual content but some kissing; upper male nudity with partial buttocks exposure; drinking of wine and being drunk; no smoking or illegal drugs; and, magic wishes.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film connects love with caring for another person’s good. How is that different from using romance to get what you want?
Philippians 2:4 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7The fountain’s wishes influence the characters’ lives. What does Scripture teach about where we should place our trust and hope?
Psalm 20:7 · Proverbs 3:5–6Beth has allowed work to take priority over a relationship. What good things can become harmful when they take God’s place?
Matthew 6:33 · Exodus 20:3A priest asks God for forgiveness while also making a wish. What does genuine confession look like, and to whom should we bring our needs?
1 John 1:9 · Philippians 4:6–7The Final Word
WHEN IN ROME has a likable cast and a few funny moments, but its clunky, cliché-ridden script and magical fountain premise limit its appeal. Watch it at home with older children and adults who can discuss the worldview. Our answer is WAIT FOR HOME — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP. For other options, see.
