Iris Blond

Somewhat dowdy middle-aged keyboardist Roman Spera finds out his ladyfriend has been cheating on him with another member of the band in the opening moments of this wretched romantic comedy. After a psychic predicts he'll soon meet the woman of his dreams--and that she'll be named for a flower--Spera is heartened when he discovers Marguerite while playing piano on a cruise ship. The matronly chanteuse with a limited repertoire teams up with Spera for a few gigs--until he meets a young, blond waitress named Iris, an aspiring if seemingly untalented singer-songwriter. Although Iris makes it clear she isn't going to sleep with him, the charged-up Spera can't help but hold out hope as the two embark on a promising musical partnership. Director Carlo Verdone often mugs it up as Spera, and Claudia Gerini as Iris comes off as vapid as a Spice Girl. Indicative of the film's miscues, Spera tastelessly makes fun of an incidental character's facial deformity, hitting a real sour note. Not recommended. (T. Rich)