Woody Allen’s 2012 romantic comedy To Rome With Love paints a whimsical, multi-threaded portrait of the Eternal City, blending romance, satire, and fantasy. Among its ensemble cast, Penélope Cruz stands out with a performance that is equal parts sultry, comic, and charmingly self-aware. Cruz, who plays Anna, a high-class escort caught in a mistaken-identity farce, brings an irresistible charisma to the screen, reaffirming her place as one of the most dynamic actresses in international cinema.
The Role: Anna, the Escort with a Heart (and Brains)
Cruz’s storyline is rooted in classic farce: a young provincial couple, Antonio and Milly, arrive in Rome hoping to impress his conservative relatives. A mix-up separates the newlyweds, and when Antonio opens his hotel door expecting his wife, he is instead greeted by Anna (Cruz), a confident, quick-thinking prostitute hired by mistake. To save face, he asks her to pose as his wife in front of his judgmental family.
What unfolds is a comedic ballet of deception, seduction, and mistaken identities. Cruz navigates the role with aplomb, leaning into her character’s unapologetic sensuality while revealing layers of intelligence and empathy beneath the surface. Anna is more than a comic device—she is assertive, in control, and often the smartest person in the room.
Cruz’s Performance: Magnetic and Effortless
Cruz’s performance in To Rome With Love is a masterclass in timing and tonal balance. She exudes confidence in every scene, using her body language and expressive face to comedic effect. Her sharp wit and earthy humor are reminiscent of classic Italian comedies, making her a perfect fit for Allen’s European setting.
She also displays a knack for physical comedy, using the character’s over-the-top sex appeal as both a weapon and a disguise. Yet Cruz avoids caricature, grounding Anna in a believable emotional reality that prevents the character from becoming a mere trope.
A Star Among Many
To Rome With Love boasts a sprawling cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, and Allen himself. While the film divides its attention among multiple storylines, Cruz’s segment is among the most memorable—largely due to her magnetic screen presence and comic agility.
Allen’s affection for Cruz is palpable, and the role plays to her strengths: she is glamorous, intelligent, and completely in control of the chaos around her. The camera loves her, and she returns that love with a performance full of warmth and vitality.
Legacy and Context
By 2012, Penélope Cruz was already an Oscar winner (for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, another Allen film), and her role in To Rome With Love further cemented her versatility. She’s one of the few actresses who can shift effortlessly between high drama (Volver, Parallel Mothers) and breezy comedy, without compromising the depth of her performances.
While To Rome With Love received mixed reviews overall, Cruz’s contribution remains a highlight. Her ability to command the screen and elevate even the most outlandish premise showcases why she continues to be a sought-after talent in both Hollywood and European cinema.
Final Thoughts
In To Rome With Love, Penélope Cruz delivers a luminous, scene-stealing performance that blends comedy, sex appeal, and surprising depth. As Anna, she walks a tightrope between satire and sincerity with grace, making her one of the film’s most memorable characters. Even in a film teeming with stars and subplots, Cruz proves once again that her talent is impossible to ignore.
