De Roma com Amor

I caught this while flipping dials in a hotel waiting to leave for a wedding. This is how one ends up watching movies like this. And it's not a bad idea for a movie. We've seen lots of women on film transform themselves to become belle of the ball; why not take a schlubby guy and turn him into a hunky action hero? Of course, already knowing what Jack Scalia looked like, I knew their job would not be that difficult! (Not uncommon in the female version of this familiar scenario, I might add.)

Once the main character makes his transformation it becomes a story about someone who can have everything but it means nothing without that one true love. With the schmaltz factor set on "high" the story sails along to a satisfying conclusion, and no matter how many bathroom trips you make during the proceedings you won't feel like you missed anything.

On paper this film doesn't look like much, with its C-list cast and knowing it was made as pay-TV "filler" material. But for what it is, I dare say it slightly exceeds those low expectations, even though it's not something to go out of ones way to seek. Surprisingly, I kinda liked the fact that a bunch of people got together and made this so I'd have something to watch while flipping dials other than home shopping, infomercials, or even worse--an overblown colossal flop with bigger name stars who should have known better. With that comparison, mediocrity seems just fine.

Called "a PRETTY WOMAN for the 90's" on the box (an honor yours truly finds somewhat more befitting 1990's PRETTY WOMAN) and also compared to the Rock Hudson/Doris Day classics (of which we all know there are none), this rare foray outside of PM Entertainment's usual kung-fu-car-crash actioners comes off with all the plastic sincerity of a swanky LOVE BOAT episode - and feels as dated despite being set in the present day. Jack Scalia is a rich banker who decides to escape his mundane existence - and shrill wife (Betsy Russell) - by becoming a Hollywood star with the help of off-key lounge singer Brenda Epperson, her agent Elliot Gould (in another useless cameo), and - here's the stretch - movie screenwriter Kathy Ireland (!), with whom he falls in love. Katherine Helmond, James Doohan, Norm Crosby, Frank Gorshin and George Hamilton contribute cameos (presumably to give PM's marketing department something to work with) while the questionably talented Frank Stallone warbles two tunes on the soundtrack (as if Epperson's screeching weren't enough!).

Saul (Jack Scalia) is married and in business with his family yet, he gets a sudden inclination to become an actor. Divorcing his wife and leaving everything behind, he goes to Hollywood and worms his way into securing an agent. Agent George (Elliott Gould) promptly suggests a change in name and appearance for Saul. With a course in body building and hair transformation, Saul becomes the Italian dreamboat, Salvatore. Enter Taylor (Kathy Ireland). She's the writer behind a spy film set to star Saul/Salvatore. Initial encounters between the pair cause sparks to fly but once Taylor discovers Saul's true past, she begins to doubt his trustworthiness. Is there a future for Salvatore, the actor, in the movies and one for Saul, the man, in Taylor's heart?

This low budget romantic comedy has a few funny and endearing moments but, overall, is a rather lame entry in this genre. Ireland looks and acts great so fans of this model/actress may want to give the movie a try. George Hamilton, in a minor role, is outstanding as a leading actor from the thirties. As for the male star, Scalia is handsome and affable but his Italian accent is laughable. Only the most stalwart fans of humorous love stories will probably want to seek this one out.

Caught this on TubiTV for free. It's a cute story about a man who reinvents his life after 40. There are plenty of people in real life who do this but there aren't enough movies that tell this type of story. This movie is a frothy soap opera but it's enjoyable enough. As a prior reviewer stated, it's a male Cinderella story and that's very accurate. Lighthearted fun.

Though it could be good in a very very boring time, it´s not really that good (by good i mean $1 dollar at the rental place)

Performances are good though, they´re the ones who save this movie of being out of the bunch.

But the script is just.... well, regular (every day script as someone would say).