David O'ConnellEat Pray Love
October 5th 2010 02:31
Here’s a film that panders to every paid-up member of the Cult of Oprah, that immaculately coiffured, impeccably dressed subset of upper-middle class, surgically-upheld beauties. Apparently the book on which Eat Pray Love is based is one of their recent emotional touchstones, the kind of ‘chick-lit’ that leaves them agape and grasping for one another, so resonant are its themes.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir has been adapted by director Ryan Murphy (whose TV credits include Nip/Tuck and the execrable Glee) and Jennifer Salt. Personally I haven’t read Gilbert’s book and have zero motivation to do so after having endured this loathsomely trite, nerve-grating exercise in Self-Help for Dummies.
We first encounter Liz (Julia Roberts) in a bit of a tiz. She’s come to the conclusion that her marriage to Stephen (Billy Crudup) isn’t up to scratch, leaving her with a gaping hole where there should be fulfillment. In short, she needs to “find herself”. Those two words alone are indicative of the pain to follow. Almost in slow motion it seems we must endure the supposed "spiritual growth" of a woman blessed with talent, friends and money – but also a paralysing discontent.
Eat Pray Love is positively torturous viewing for all of its seemingly interminable 135 minutes. Five minutes in I knew trouble was forthcoming when Liz, balling her eyes out, gets down on her knees and openly prays to God for the first time, to beg Him for guidance because she’s in trouble - deep, deep trouble. It’s a laughably unconvincing scene but the gag reel - riddled with hackneyed aphorisms and lame attempts at universal wisdom - has only just been set in motion.
After ditching her husband she takes up with a young lover David (James Franco); the scenes between the two - especially the one in which they first meet - are straight out of a Mills and Boon opus. But he’s not her cup of tea either. Again we see Liz weeping in the night, murmuring “I don’t know how to be here”. Yes, life is that hard for Liz. Time to run.
And so with her pockets crammed with blissfully unlimited disposable income and a career to forever fall back on, Liz tells her friends she’s off to Italy for three months. Then it’s onwards to India to live in an ashram for another few months before finally heading to Bali. To find out if all these adventures will heal her. To help her “find herself”.
In Italy she eats a stack of pizza, watches soccer, and hangs out with lots and lots of attractive people; together they laugh, smile and compliment one another on the integrity of their lives. It’s a positive step on the road to self-discovery. But Liz requires more.
In India she scrubs floors, learns the value of a vow of silence, discovers life lessons from a scruffy old Texan (Richard Jenkins) who informs her that she will be unable to leave until “she’s forgiven herself.” Poor dear. He even gives her an endearing nickname that sums her up: “Groceries”. Hilarious.
Finally, in Bali, she finds her true love in a handsome Brazilian (Javier Bardem) with an Australian son. Naturally their first meeting is via a near-disaster – a prototypical Hollywood introduction if ever there was one – when he nearly kills her by running her off the road. But she’s too afraid to commit. Or is she? I bet you just won’t be expecting the clichéd Hollywood-approved backtrack when it comes.
Full credit to Jenkins and Bardem who, swimming against the tide of vapidity with one arm tied behind their backs, manage to create an authentic moment or two. But their presence offers little respite from Roberts whose nails-against-a-chalkboard performance is one of the more irritating I’ve ever seen, full of phony emotional reactions, stupid goofy grins, trite observations, and soppy voiceover conclusions; it has the cumulative effect of a chisel prodding at your brain.
Poor Crudup fares worst, suffering a multitude of humiliations in his short stint on screen. Stephen refuses to accept Liz’s proclamation of the marriage’s demise, you see, and contests the legal proceedings. Cue a ludicrous scene in a lawyer’s office that wouldn’t be out of place in a really bad Hepburn-Tracy battle-of-the-sexes comedy. Then there’s a flashback that shows him pulling a stunt at their wedding celebrations: cue his really dodgy dancing as he deflates the mood by programming a pop song override of the couple’s romantic theme song. We see clearly in Liz’s eyes that this is the moment the marriage really ended.
This is the kind of thing you recommend to a despised enemy. About as much of a remedy for the soul as a self-help manual compiled by teenagers who consider Madonna lyrics profound, Eat Pray Love is the cinematic low point of the year. An awful, truly loathsome film.
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Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
You've summed up my trepidations to a "tee" and validated my reason for NOT wanting to see this narcissistic pile of tripe - I'm afraid that even Javier Bardem (whom I love) can't tempt me. From my understanding of the book, her marriage was "good" better than most, at least.
When I lived in New York City, the only thing that made me cringe on the subway was not the horrendous mix of body odors from the passengers on a hot summer day when the a/c wasn't working but spotting at least two or three female passengers nose deep in Oprah's "O" Magazine! She should have been off the air a long time ago.
Comment by MelG
Comment by Deni
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Sandra was given the Oscar for the same reason Julia was given the Oscar for her over-rated performance in EB.
Comment by Chris Champion
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I doubt it, and based on this review, I'm certainly not prepared to accept your word for it. This piece isn't about the film, it's about you, and your intolerance for subjects that don't appeal to you. Or perhaps intimidate you.
Yes, David, you write well, but not objectively. Caroline Overington writes well too, and she gave a similarly sneering, self-absorbed review of the book (see here).
Comment by David O'Connell
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Right with you there Deni, I personally can't stand the big O. No surprises this was right up her alley. All of life's tough questions can be solved with millions, she's the proof of that and something we all aspire to.
Yes Mel, nothing is out of the question after Sandy's victory. It's all politics and with the appropriate 'gifts' secreted in the right accounts come Oscar time any outcome is possible.
Chris, very true that this review is entirely subjective - what review isn't? I mean, what else would it be about but me and my reaction to the film. I hated the film, simple as that, no need to dress it up any other way to appease those with an opposing view.
Obviously you loved the book and may like the film too on that basis. Will be interested to hear your reaction either way. But if you can stomach it then you're a stronger man than me, that's all I can say. I've seen hundreds upon hundreds of films in cinemas and believe me - this was the closest I've ever come to walking out (something I've actually never done - through stupidity I'd say when certain films that I've endured come to mind).
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Rarely do I walk out of movies. I have this silly concept that if I do the movie has beaten me, and so I can't abide that. I would rather sit through it and then tear it to shreds. Such is the askew, and no doubt arrogant, attitude I possess.
Having said that, there are several movies I really do wish I had walked out of!!! The Fifth Element is one of them.
However I should point out that I don't include any movies on VHS or DVD which I've stopped and ejected from the player, or fast-forwarded. Been plenty of those in recent years.
Comment by Matt Shea
This is something I do.
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Comment by Chris Champion
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Hi Dave,
There is a difference between a review and a personal opinion. If you had added three words - in my opinion - to the above, it would be have been perfectly valid, and I would have been happy to enjoy and applaud the rave.
What I expect from a review of anything is a reasoned, informed look at the technical merits of the offering.
It's fun to use a word like loathsome, and it grabs attention. But it has no lasting meaning. It's a cheap shot because it's not an objective statement. If you say you found the film loathsome, fine. But simply branding it loathsome has no credibility with anyone who has seen the film and come away with a different opinion.
Good reviews are objective.
Chris
Comment by David O'Connell
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I loathed this film. I loathed Julia Roberts' performance.
This film was loathsome to me Chris, what else can I say?
To be honest, if this lightweight, disposable piece of tripe is the kind of film you defend I seriously think you need to watch a few more!
Anyway Chris, I still look forward to reading your own appraisal. At least one objective review of Eat Pray Love on Orble would be a good thing. Please come back and let me know when you've seen it.
Comment by Chris Champion
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I haven't tried to defend this film. Nor do I need to, given the plentiful positive reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.
My interest is in words, and their correct usage.
Comment by David O'Connell
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Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Chris Champion
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It's a bit of a leap from my criticism of Overington's "review" (it wasn't really a book review) to labelling my comments here as "vicious attacks". They are nothing of the kind.
I was angry at Overington because I thought her column was dishonest - it was about trying to be funny and sound clever rather than an honest appraisal of the book.
I made no such claim - I had no such reaction - to David's review of the film. His opinions and comments are pristine in their honesty.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
My wife read the book and said it was so pedestrian only Oprah fans would think it inspirational.
As for the film it didn't take your review for me to smell the stench of loathsome conceit.
Admittedly the name Julia Roberts guarantees zero interest. That bitch ( i call her that because she has ruined several interesting projects) has to be one of the worst actresses on the planet. She almost ruined the joyful Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Every time she came onscreen in it the film stopped dead with her lack of talent measured against the mighty Rockwell and all the other cast members.
Comment by David O'Connell
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