Aventura en Roma

The Pigeon That Took Rome is an acquired taste. It's a quirky comedy with sarcasm dripping thickly in the narration adjoining the scenes. Charlton Heston is in the lead, and while it feels a little awkward to see him in a comedy, since it's a dark, offbeat comedy, it makes more sense. Set in Italy during WWII, it focuses on the antiquated system of carrier pigeons. There are misunderstandings, miscommunications, and mistaken identities - all with the pigeons. I'm not kidding.

In addition to the pigeons, there are the group of American soldiers stationed in Italy who act alongside them. Charlton Heston has a reputation of being disliked among his men, but since he gets the job done, Brian Donlevy puts him in charge. Do you think falling in love with an Italian woman, Elsa Martinelli, will soften his heart? It'll take quite a lot of softening, since he's reprimanded his fellow soldiers for similar dalliances - or as he phrases it, "going nuts over a piece of Italian pizza at a time like this."

When his friend tries to convince him of the virtues of settling down to a wife and kiddies, Chuck scoffs. "Why is everyone supposed to like children? How many kids do you think there'd be in the world if they weren't connected with sex?" I know; you'll have to hear it to believe Charlton Heston actually said that line. I was shocked, too. I laughed a few times during this movie, but it's not one I'll want to watch again. It's tough to get political satire right, but this movie certainly tries.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. About 20 minutes before the end, when Arthur Shields is seen through the window, he's upside down and the camera swivels to make him right side up again, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"