Woody Allen continues his European tour with To Rome with Love, a charming ensemble piece set in one of the most romantic cities in the world. The film weaves together four distinct stories, with a cast which clearly demonstrates that actors are still desperate to work with Allen no matter how small the role.

Allen himself appears this time as Jerry, a retired opera director who has come to Rome with his wife (Judy Davis) to meet their daughter’s fiancé, Michelangelo. Initially unimpressed by his new relatives, Jerry discovers that Michelangelo’s father has a hidden talent for singing which only manifests itself in the shower. Jack (Jesse Eisenberg) is an aspiring architect living with girlfriend Sally (Greta Gerwig) and struggling with his attraction to her best friend (Ellen Page). Roaming the streets is Alec Baldwin, a successful older architect who offers advice to the star-crossed lovers. In another episode, newlyweds from the provinces Antonio and Milly (Alessandro Tiberi and Alessandra Mastronardi) become separated for a day. She has an encounter with her favourite movie star while he becomes embroiled with a prostitute (Penélope Cruz). And finally, thrown into the mix is Italian comic genius Roberto Benigni as Leopold, an ordinary man turned unlikely reality TV star.

Combine all this talent with the Spanish Steps, beautiful piazzas and cobbled streets, and the result is a film as fun and refreshing as a weekend mini-break itself.