ICFF review: All Roads Lead to Rome

 Italian screen legend, Claudia Cardinale, delivers a sharp, sardonic performance in All Roads Lead To Rome (Tutte le strade portano a Roma), but even she can't save this romantic comedy which screens tonight in Toronto at the ICFF (Italian Contemporary Film Festival).

Cardinale plays 80-year-old Carmen who secretly plans to wed her one true love in Rome against the wishes of her son, Luca (Raul Bova). However, the focus lies on Maggie (Sarah Jessica Parker), a cheery, but daffy divorced mum who tries to re-connect with her rebellious (obnoxious, really) teenage daughter, Summer (Rosie Day) with a trip to a gorgeous Tuscan village that she frequented as a youth. Maggie runs into her old flame, Luca, and Summer wants to return to her sleazy boyfriend in New York who's battling drug charges.

Impulsively, Carmen and Summer steal a car and race to Rome to pursue their men. Of course, Maggie and Luca give chase, personal revelations follow between both pairs, and everyone winds up with the right partner at the end. I won't spoil the ending, but you can probably guess.

A talented cast can't save a predictable script and flat direction. The laughs are never big in All Roads Lead To Rome which has cute written all over it. The highlight of the film is Cardinale, who only has to deliver a gesture or expression to express a thousand words.

Ms. Cardinale will be on hand to present All Roads Lead to Rome tonight in Toronto at 9:30 pm, and Saturday, June 18 at the Trius Winery in Niagara. Click here for details.