“EAT, PRAY, LOVE” GOOD BUT NOT GREAT ADAPTATION
Movie Review for MOVIEBEAT WITH BLAIR 8/16 radio broadcast
Trivia Question: What character in “Eat, Pray, Love” was offered a lead role in “Shakespeare in Love” but turned it down?
Answer: Julia Roberts as the role that Gwyneth Paltrow took and one an Oscar for.
It has Julia Roberts, exotic locations and an endearing story of finding one’s soul again.
Based off from the hugely popular autobiographical story of travel writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s year-long quest to “eat, pray and love,” the movie was to reach audiences that hadn’t already fallen in love with the book (and maybe even capture those who had).
Something, however, seemed to be missing in the new release, even with the blockbuster-worthy elements already stated. If it weren’t for a superb supporting cast of men, the film may not have been as worthy of a comeback for Julia.
Elizabeth “Liz” Gilbert is trapped in a marriage (with a quite energetic Billy Crudup) that is suffocating her emotionally. A chance meeting with a medicine man in Bali encourages her to get out of her current situation and find her spirit, appetite and smile in a year-long trip to Italy, India and Bali.
What Liz finds is something more than she could ever imagine from people she will never forget.
A fan myself of the book, I was looking forward to the movie version of “Eat, Pray, Love,” especially after hearing that Hollywood’s Golden Girl, Julia Roberts, would be the lead.
Watching the film was another story, as it seemed to have everything the book had but didn’t have the magic that made the story a page-turner.
One highlight that brought the characters to life were the two men that helped Liz out the most in the film. Richard (portrayed by an impressive Richard Jenkins), who Liz meets in India, holds the acting power of being able to crack audiences up in one second and make them tear up in the next.
Felipe (performed by swoon-worthy Javier Bardem) is a smooth operator as a business man from Bali, showing women and men alike that they shouldn’t be fooled by his hairdo in “No Country for Old Men.” The man has a charming presence about him you can’t deny!
Nobody can also complain about the picturesque places Liz goes to on her quest to love herself again. From the peaceful vegetation of Bali to the smog-filled streets of India, you feel like your own Samantha Browne as you watch the film.
All in all, “Eat, Pray, Love” should be seen by anyone who loves the book and/or loves Julia Roberts, but don’t expected to be as captivated.
Three and a Half Heartbeats
DVD Rental: Letters to God – Christian-produced and based film about one sickly boy’s prayer-filled relationship with God through letters and the impact his letters make on family, friends and even perfect strangers. Not as powerful as “Fireproof,” “Letters to God” is a worthwhile rent for every age to show every day should be seen and appreciated as a blessed gift.
Four Heartbeats
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