Nerdy thoughts on @eatpraylove
SOOO!! Yesterday, I saw @eatpraylove. *cue 4sq checkin*
You have to understand, this book changed my life. This was pre-enlightenment (I hate that word enlightenment. It feels too elitest; pre- insertion of word that describes the most earth shattering year of my life). Needless to say, I walked into this flick with a heavy load. Even though, I did make a conscious effort to say, yes - this is just a movie ... I have to think somewhere in the back of my head that this could be affecting the review.
The movie did not translate the true essence and lovable nature of the book. Ryan Murphy, director of Glee, tried his best - but I feel like the screenplay as a whole, and everything was off. As a separate entity, it was yes, a good movie - but as an adaptation the phrase epic failure comes to mind.
I won't spoil too many things for you, as I really do think it was worth the money to see, or if you're broke, the 2 hours of illegal streaming online. There was just too much of a disconnect with Liz and the actual story. I never felt like I was along this epic adventure with her. It was especially apparent in Italy (the eating part of eat, pray, love). The shots were very swoopy, and all around too "I need to do a good job on this film because there are too many big named people attached, and too big of a built in audience"). Murphy loved this effect of shooting up to the actors - please pardon the non-technical speak ... just speakin like a true nerd! And it just came off as a chick watching as OMG! Does he not realize how unflattering these angles are?! I just ... I just ... I just don't know. As a flick, there was very little character development, and had I not read the book, the whole "inviting people up to the roof of the ashram" would have made no sense. I just feel like this flick had no heart ... which I know sounds impossible considering the story, but I assure you - it was not.
Julia, btw, did an okay job - but it was horrible casting. She was not Elizabeth. Julia was too big of a name to be put as the lead role. I expected too much from her, and therefore again, felt a disconnect to the character which made me less interested in coming along on a journey with her. I saw Anna Scott, Tess Ocean, Erin Brockovich, Maggie Carpenter, Julianne Potter, Vivian Ward, and Daisy Arujo attempt a spiritual awakening, rather than Liz my cynical, jaded friend, and champion.
It felt a little long, and all in all I would only give it about 2/4 stars. All the right ingredients, but missed the heart.