Eat Pray Love is written and directed in that mysterious language that only females understand. I got it, but thought it could have been a bit better…I wouldn’t call it a chick flick but it’s obviously targeted towards women. I hate to use this word, but it’s charming. It has its moments of humor, emotion, and awe-inspiring visuals but at the same time it runs long and is quite dull at points. Based on the memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert, this is a globe-trotting story of self-discovery.
The movie begins in Bali where Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) is traveling for work and interviews a Yoda-looking medicine man. He startles her with the revelation that she will have two marriages, one long and one short, lose all her money, and return to Bali to see him again. This is the basis for the movie. We return to New York where Liz goes through a whirlwind of anxiety and finds herself lost in a mid-life crisis with no emotional pulse. She gets tangled with David, a 28 year-old Yogi from Yonkers played by James Franco. Liz realizes that since 15, she’s either been with a guy or breaking up for a guy and decides to find herself on a year-long trip to Italy, India, and then finally return to Bali. Italy to Eat. India to Pray. And Bali to Love.
The way the movie is shot is interesting and annoying at the same time. There’s a lot of moving camera shots as well as random scenes spliced in. At times it’s to show a lot of different locations in the different countries and shows time passing quickly on the screen. Other times it’s just a mishmash of details they wanted to throw in; either from the book or newly added material in the script. They also connected scenes with moments of the past. They weren’t just flashbacks of what you’ve already seen but new scenes that happened but weren’t yet shown…I love when filmmakers do that. The director also took time to set up shots so that at the end, they would just click and leave you with an amazing poster shot.
Julia Roberts looking over Italia
Each country had a focus on it’s own special cinematic technique. In Italy, they did a bunch of food closeups which looked beautiful but made your stomach growl for a taste. In India, they did a lot of quick shots to display the hectic lifestyle of being around thousands of people and then showed long peaceful shots when Liz reached her meditation state. Finally, in Bali…the environment was the focus where they showed breathtaking views of the country. This was done pretty well to have a distinct feeling in each set change and let the audience know that the story has moved.
This is truly a movie that goes around the world which I loved. Americans need to be exposed to more culture and traveling which this movie speaks on as well. There are so many accents in this movie, you’re sure not to understand at least one character at some point. Usually, movies have the stereotypical accents of the main country that they’re in. Italians for Italy, Indians for India, etc. But this movie has different people from various cultures in each of the locales. A Swede in Italy, a Texan in India, and a Brazilian-Australian in Bali…you’re exposed to a lot more than just what’s shown.
Cyclists Beware. It's got a basket...and a bell.
To get a sense of how this movie is focused on the woman, they juxtaposed Julia Roberts putting on some jeans over her muffin top with Italians watching a soccer game. When she finally put the jeans on, Italy scored! Everyone celebrates! I get that the movie is intended for women, but I feel like they could have done a better job keeping the movie entertaining. Even the girls who I watched the movie with thought the film moved a bit slow at times and was just “eh.” Some scenes just dragged on for no apparent reason and were difficult to watch. I found myself starring at the ceiling every now and then. But then you get some great words of wisdom, funny jokes, and cute scenes that bring you right back into the moment. I smiled every time Julia Roberts laughed in the movie…it was just infectious and her laugh is so unique.
Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) in Bali with Felipe (Javier Bardem)
Julia Roberts played the role perfectly. I almost felt like I was watching her go through this life as if she wasn’t even acting. The supporting cast of James Franco, Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, Mike O’Malley (holding it down for the men), Richard Jenkins, and more were stellar as well but I think Javier Bardem stole the show for me…he was just great. Playing a Brazilian who moved to Australia to build his family but lose his wife was the male version of Liz Gilbert and the Love in the movie. He was playful, funny, and dramatic in his scenes which kept you captivated and sealed the movie in the end. Without him and after the slow-paced Indian segment of the film, this would’ve been a more negative review. Indulge yourself in Eat Pray Love…if you’ve convinced yourself and whoever you’re going with (like the boyfriend or husband) to the theater…you’ll enjoy what you get.
Tags: Billy Crudup, Eat Pray Love, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Julia Roberts, Mike O'Malley, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis
Matthew Fong created advancescreenings.com and is the lead contributor. He watches every type of movie and will try almost anything twice. You can follow him on twitter here: @matthewfong
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