Gabrielle Union is set to enchant audiences again — this time in an internationally flavored romantic comedy. She stars opposite Michele Morrone in Blame It On Rome, a new Prime Video Italy original that’s currently shooting in the heart of Rome. The film, striking a balance between heartfelt storytelling and playful humor, offers a fresh spin on the classic rom-com formula.
Union plays Billie, a driven art executive from New York whose trip to Rome quickly turns into a life-altering journey. Initially, she arrives to negotiate the purchase of a valuable painting — a high-stakes business deal that could define her career. But when her fiancé admits he’s fallen in love with someone else, the foundation of her life collapses. In a bold move that surprises even her, Billie decides not to return home. Instead, she chooses to stay in Rome — determined to slow down, embrace the unpredictability of the city, and rediscover herself.
As Billie lets go, she finds herself tangled in a series of spontaneous adventures — late-night aperitivos, conversations in ancient piazzas, and blind-date dinners under twinkling Roman lights. However, the flight from her past takes one more dramatic turn when she learns she’s pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. To unravel the mystery, she hires Tommaso (played by Morrone), a private investigator whose own complicated past gives their relationship immediate spark. Their growing closeness is fueled by tension, wit, and emotional honesty — as they navigate not just Rome’s romantic corners, but their own fears and dreams.
At the helm is Italian director Francesco Carrozzini, known for visually rich work that captures both grandeur and intimacy. The screenplay is crafted by Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Jessica O’Toole, whose resumes include sharp, character-driven comedies and television hits. This creative team blends transatlantic sensibilities — marrying New York ambition with Italian charm in a way that feels both universal and deeply personal.
Behind the scenes, the production reflects the film’s ambitious scope. The costume department is led by Massimo Cantini Parrini, an Oscar nominee whose designs are expected to evoke both sophistication and playfulness. Cinematographer Vladan Radovic, a David di Donatello winner, brings a lush visual style to the frame, while production designer Giuliano Pannuti, a candidate for the Nastro d’Argento, builds immersive Roman settings that serve as more than just a backdrop — they become a character in their own right.
Union’s involvement feels like a homecoming to her rom-com roots. Over her career, she’s shown a remarkable ability to embody strength, vulnerability, and charm simultaneously — qualities she’s demonstrated in films like Bring It On, Think Like a Man, and The Perfect Find. In Blame It On Rome, she appears to bring an emotional maturity that matches her character’s journey: a professional woman rediscovering her capacity for joy, risk, and love in an entirely new world.
Morrone, meanwhile, brings his own international star power; his role as Tommaso marks a romantic turn that leans into both his charm and emotional range. Together, their chemistry promises to fuel both the comedic and romantic tension of the story.
Prime Video’s backing of this film underscores its ambition: the streamer is positioning Blame It On Rome as a global release, with plans to distribute it in over 240 countries and territories. That reach, coupled with a production rooted in Rome but made in English, signals a real investment in cross-cultural storytelling that bridges markets without losing a sense of place.
With production well underway in the Eternal City’s picturesque streets, iconic architecture, and cozy cafés, Blame It On Rome is shaping up to be a richly textured love story — one about identity, reinvention, and the unexpected ways life turns when you least expect it. And for Union, this role feels like both a return to form and a bold new chapter — proving once more why she remains a key voice in modern romantic cinema.
— REAVES