"The Trouble With Romance," a movie featuring Jennifer Siebel Newsom that has won praise on the film festival circuit, began nationwide distribution this week via On Demand/Pay-Per-View.

The film, four loosely linked vignettes about relationships that unfold in different rooms in the same hotel, is slated for its theatrical debut in New York on Feb. 27. There's no current deal in place for a San Francisco release, which seems a little crazy considering you've got Mayor Gavin Newsom's wife running around in her skivvies in a hotel room. Surely citizens are going to pay for that.

Heck, the news release for the New York debut touts Siebel Newsom's "Eye-Popping Stand-Out Performance!!"

Siebel Newsom became involved in the film, which she also helped produce, before she started dating the mayor, director Gene Rhee said.

Rhee pictured Siebel Newsom playing one of two roles, but figured she'd opt for the more conservative one as a call girl. Yes, the call girl was the safer role. Instead, Siebel picked the character who is having hallucinations and conversations with her ex-lover while hooking up with another guy.

"She volunteered to take the riskier role," Rhee said.

And we're glad she did.

This article appeared on page B - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle