Why Julia, why?
I watched the “Eat, Pray, Love” movie last weekend and…. as predicted, I left the theater feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. Lesson learned (really this time, I swear): movies based on books are never a good idea, PERIOD. If I ever convince myself otherwise, please feel free to smack me in the face with this book as a reminder.
The movie (and the book) are separated into three parts - Italy, India and Bali - based on the three legs of the author’s journey. I finished reading two-thirds of the book (Italy and Bali, because India is a semi snooze-fest) literally the night before watching the movie and spent the entire 2 hours and 13 minutes of the film worming around in my seat, critiquing all the areas where the movie deviated from the book.
I find it extremely difficult to believe that Elizabeth Gilbert gave her consent to the production of this film; not only did it feel drawn-out and choppy, there was a serious lack of character development. Overall, no bueno. Even Julia Roberts, who I usually adore, could not provide the saving grace for this production. And you know what? I didn’t even like her in the movie (blasphemy, isn’t it?). If it weren’t for that foxy Spaniard Javier Bardem, I would’ve casted this off as a complete disaster.
Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, however, is fantastic (5/5). My first re-read of 2010, week 33, book 31, even better the second time ‘round. Gilbert is witty and fun, bursting with neurotic tendencies, charisma and a sense of adventure that is contagious. Which is why I read books. And fall asleep during movies (usually). If that isn’t the universe’s way of telling me how to live my life, I don’t know what is.
