EAT PRAY LOVE (REVIEW)
PG
133 mins
JULIA ROBERTS, RICHARD JENKINS, JAMES FRANCO, BILLY CRUDUP, VIOLA
DAVIS, JAVIER BARDEM
It may be 20 years since she walked
down rodeo drive wearing 'those boots' in 'Pretty Woman', but that awarding winning
smile of star Julia Roberts has lost none of it's pizzazz. Based on the ongoing
best-selling travel memoir of author Elizabeth Gilbert, it's a story of misery
and newfound joys in search of enlightenment around the globe. Julia is the perfect
choice as Liz. She has the wit and exuberance for the role which changes in progression.
A
woman in personal turmoil, Liz packs up and leaves her failing marriage and another
disastrous love affair to spend a year living in Italy, India and finally Bali.
During the self funded journey, men swoon at her. She stays at many picturesque
locations, visits ashrams, indulges in mystical spas and takes in wise advice
from and ancient healer. Along the way the whole mind, body, spirit mantra tests
the viewer's patience. There's only so much group praying and chanting a cinema
audience can take.
Liz is also very self centred and tends
to whine a lot - and I mean a lot. The men in her life also seem to agree. When
in Italy, eating massive bowls of pasta in street cafe's happens to be the only
thing that can attract the passing locals from their all important soccer match.
A woman eating carbs onscreen is unheard of. It is not until Liz arrives in Bali
that she begins to find balance. A chance meeting with fellow divorcee in exile,
Felipe, a European lothario who is laid back in life, helps Liz get back the warmth
within her chilled heart.
I'm a supporter of the chick flick
in most instances, but Eat, Pray, SLEEP may have been a more appropriate title.
At 133 minutes, the film goes on and on and on. Males in the audience may see
it as narcissistic, but the intended females won't seem to mind, tears of joy
will be shed. Music includes rangy artists such as Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and
an impressive solo song from Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, which contains authentic
Indian influences.
Married in real life to Penelope Cruz,
the charismatic Javier Bardem (Perdita Durango, Jamon Jamon) is also a perfect
casting choice. As Felipe, he brings back just enough structure to the world Liz
left behind. Julia is simply irresistible and the glue that holds the film together.
James Franco is not on screen nearly enough, but his presence makes a minor impact,
as does veteran Richard Jenkins as friend to Liz and comrade in chanting in India.
Directed
by Ryan Murphy, writer of the hit television series 'Glee' and produced by none
other than Brad Pitt, they have made a worthy book adaptation and an insomniacs
dream film. Goodnight.
Shane A. Bassett
