Julia Roberts and
Javier Bardem

Eat Pray Love Poster
 

Eat Pray Love
 

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This Journey Through Europe is Way Too Contrived

The film Eat Pray Love is based on the best selling memoirs of Elizabeth Gilbert where she travels to Europe in search of healing her soul. The trip was scheduled after a bad divorce and near the end of a new found relationship. Julia Roberts stars in this film and we certainly see her eating in Italy, praying in India and finding love in Bali. The trouble with the film is that yes, Julia Roberts is a big enough star to carry the film, what’s lacking is the disjointed script and the laborious length. My book club read this book a few years ago and I must confess I didn’t finish the Bali section as I was very bored during the India section. Pages and pages are devoted to sitting very still and not moving. Hmm...not my cup of tea. I have been highly anticipating the film in hopes of a great ‘girl’s night out film,’ but am sorry to say it would be better as a rental where one could fast forward when needed.

Gilbert’s trip starts out after a rough divorce, one in which she feels major guilt and remorse. Her husband is played by Billy Crudup of (Public Enemies 2009 and Watchmen 2009). His role is that of a jaded spouse who doesn’t take much responsibility in the breakup as he’s perfectly fine with the marriage and is totally shocked when Gilbert asks for a divorce. Enter James Franco (Milk 2008, Pineapple Express 2008 and Date Night 2010) as the new love interest. He’s a bit younger in age, which leads Gilbert to have some doubts about his commitment capabilities. Her decision, leave New York and soul search until life becomes crystal clear.

The cinematography is beautiful and director Ryan Murphy does a great job of showing us all three countries. The vivid colors, the unique foods and religious cultures are presented in a similar fashion of a glossy travel guide. All are inviting but unrealistic. This club med vacation traveler seems to have an unending budget that makes one question the reality of the situation. Reading about eating endless plates of pasta in Italy somehow worked better for me than actually watching Julie Roberts consume all those carbs on the big screen. Boredom of the viewer is what came to my mind. Why, would anyone simply want to watch someone else eat? And...she’s eating alone. No conversation, nothing but eating.

I’m sorry to say that the film continues in this manner with light conversations with people and no insight as to what is happening. Richard from Texas is played by the talented actor Richard Jenkins (Step Brothers 2008). He does bare his soul in India but quickly leaves the film as Gilbert is off to Bali to find love.

Ah yes, the love section! Enter Javier Bardem (Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona 2008), as the man who will change Gilbert’s life. I hate to say it but shades of How Stella Got Her Groove Back were swimming through my head during this final section. The loves scenes were so tightly edited that I felt cheated. Come on...we watched the eating and painstakingly viewed the yoga chanting, the love section is supposed to be our payoff. Not true here, very short and at times not so sweet.

Bottom-line: If you are wondering about the landscape of Italy, India or Bali then perhaps this is the film for you. The cultures are explored by a writer with an attention to detail. You may actually enjoy the film. If, on the other hand, you are looking for an intriguing story with interesting characters, skip this one.

Sarah Adamson © August 18, 2010