Eat Pray Love

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from director Ryan Murphy and Columbia Pictures is a journey to see our inner selves with “Eat Pray Love”.

This film tells the story of Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts), a 30-something woman who has finally hit rock bottom with marriage and relationships. Deciding to change her life she packs up her belongings, puts them in storage and heads out into the world.

First stop – Italy where Liz learns to recapture her taste for life through the Italian language and food. It is also a time of with drawls as she comes to terms with what is causing her unhappiness.

Second stop – India, where Liz lives in an ashram. Through prayer, the struggle of meditations and Texas friend Richard (Richard Jenkins), Liz learns the power of pain and the process of healing.

Third stop – Bali, where Liz returns to continue her path to finding peace in her life through the eyes of a small town medicine man. She discovers who she is, how to forgive and the true power of love. The most unexpected part of her heart comes alive in her friendship with Felipe (Javier Bardem).

FINAL WORD: Roberts is lovely as Liz and that’s as pure and simple as I can make it. As an actress she has the right combination of punch and sensitivity to portray Liz. It is great to see her on the screen again and in such richness and beauty. 

Franco is charming as David and again, perfect casting as the man who Liz believes she is destined for. Bardem as Felipe is beautiful. There is sensitivity in this actor that just melts women.

The standout character here is Jenkins as Richard from Texas. As Richard he comes off with wit and power, which is awesome and hard to do. This is quite the challenge as his next character role is that of The Father in “Let Me In”.

Other cast include: Billy Cruddup as Stephen, I. Gusti Ayu Puspawati as Nyomo, Viola Davis as Shelia Shiraz, Gita Reggy as the Guru, and Arlene Tur as Armenia.

Based on Elizabeth Gilberts 2007 book “Eat Pray Love”, it has become an international best seller that was begging for another follow up. The 2010 her book “Committed” continues her journey from Bali back to America with pit stops in between as her relationship with Felipe gets tangled.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Eat Pray Love” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a well thought out cast with a story that is meaningful and photographed in the most beautiful parts of the world.

After you have seen the film, treat yourself to an inside look by picking up the book. There is no way to make a film based on the book without it becoming a mini series, seriously. There are moments in the film where I know the viewer feels left out or confused. That is the shame really because together the book and film are wonderful – something in the translation got lost to film.

Don’t let that even sway from seeing the film. Truly this seems like a film your either going to love or hate with no in between. Granted not everyone can escape the world for a year but it’s nice to see through they eyes of Roberts for two hours!

In the end there comes a time where letting go is the beginning of life!