Name: Four to Dinner
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 2022-01-05T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Matteo Martari, Matilde Gioli, Giuseppe Maggio, Ilenia Pastorelli, Cristiano Piacenti

The dinner party on that picturesque Roman terrace should have been the spark for something magical, but Four to Dinner serves up a meal of undercooked ideas and familiar flavors. Director Alessio Maria Federici’s rom-com, streaming on Netflix, sets up an intriguing premise: four single friends—two men (Matteo Martari as Matteo, Giuseppe Maggio as Dario) and two women (Matilde Gioli as Giulia, Ilenia Pastorelli as Chiara)—are invited to a dinner party where they explore different romantic pairings. The concept is fresh enough, but the execution stumbles.

The film’s structure is its most ambitious element. By splitting the narrative into parallel storylines—each exploring a different couple pairing—the movie attempts to challenge the notion of soulmates and true love. In theory, this could have been a clever way to explore chemistry and compatibility. Unfortunately, Federici’s vision never fully materializes. The transitions between timelines feel clunky, and the pacing suffers from too many abrupt cuts and unclear motivations.

Where Four to Dinner does shine is in its casting. Martari and Gioli share palpable chemistry, making their pairing the most compelling of the four. Their scenes together crackle with energy, and their banter feels authentic. Maggio and Pastorelli, meanwhile, bring warmth and humor to their roles, even if their dynamic lacks the same electric spark.

The film’s biggest misstep is its failure to commit to a coherent tone or message. The premise raises thought-provoking questions about love and compatibility, but the script (co-written by Martino Coli) never digs deep enough into these themes. Instead, it settles for predictable rom-com beats—misunderstandings, grand gestures, and last-minute confessions—and none of them land with the emotional weight they need.

Visually, Four to Dinner is serviceable but unremarkable. Federici’s direction lacks a distinctive style, relying too heavily on standard romantic comedy tropes. The cinematography is functional, capturing the beauty of Rome without adding much depth to the story. The soundtrack, while pleasant, doesn’t elevate the material either.

If there’s one bright spot in Four to Dinner, it’s the performances. Martari and Gioli, in particular, carry the film with their charisma and chemistry. They make you believe in their connection, even if the script doesn’t always give them the material they deserve. Maggio and Pastorelli also deliver solid turns, but their storylines never quite take off.

Ultimately, Four to Dinner is a rom-com that tries too hard to be clever without putting in the work to back it up. The premise is intriguing, but the execution falls flat.