Movie: Eat Pray Love

I was really planning to write this post on Eat Pray Love earlier today; however, it was so hot that it was just hard to sit in front of the computer. After visiting blogs and reading my fellow bloggers' posts, I just really had to get up and do something to fight the heat. So I went for a swim - and here I am now, all full from eating my chicken sandwich, cooled from my swim and shower, and all ready to share my thoughts - here's hoping I don't forget anything. ;)

I'm pretty sure most of us have seen the movie's trailer, but here it is anyway:

Liz Gilbert had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.
*from Yahoo! Movies*

First off, I regret to say that I did not finish reading the book before I watched the movie. I do feel that I cheated myself a bit because of that. I was really planning to finish the book before seeing the movie, but my best friend called and I was just like, "Okay, let's go see Eat Pray Love!" Part of me wished that she had talked me out of it and made me watch Inception instead, but oh well. Haha. ;)

That being said, this review of mine will be more about the movie and what I thought of it since I really can't compare it with the book. I am thinking, however, that I will write a "comparison/review" once I finish the book.

The movie's poster:

I went into the movie with really really high expectations since my sister has raved about the book - as did many other bloggers - and I actually really liked what I have read so far. My first impression of the movie was that it started out slow. I didn't really feel the excitement until around the time where she decided to take the year to "Eat, Pray, and Love".

We are taken straight into her asking for a divorce, offering everything she owns just so her husband (played by Billy Crudup) would sign the divorce papers. We weren't given much of a background story as to why she just didn't want to do it anymore. Maybe it was because I didn't read the book - but I'm sure many people who saw or will see it hasn't read it - so I hope they would've explained it a bit more. It was just so sudden, and I actually kinda felt sorry for her husband, and there's a part where I was just like "Why are you leaving him when he seems so intent on saving your marriage?!" But I'm only 20 years old, so I guess I really won't understand, so I will just move on from here. ;)

Another thing that was kinda off for me was that she jumped into a relationship with a younger man, an actor named David (James Franco, who rocked that messy, goofy and yet kinda cute look) even before the divorce papers are finalized. And then she leaves him to go on her year-long journey to find balance and inner peace in her life.

And from here is where I found the movie picking up the pace. There were still some parts that felt like it was dragging too long, but at least we were going somewhere.

She arrives in Italy, meets new lovely friends, and eats and eats and eats. It was a serious food trip! I wanted to eat everything she ate. Like Letters to Juliet, this made me crave Italian food - pasta, pizza, gelato, everything!

It also made me want to learn how to speak Italian. Her stay in Italy was an enjoyable one for me to watch. There are many cute moments that just made everyone in the theater laugh. I'm not saying what they are, but yeah, they're there. :)

And then, after four months in Italy, Liz goes to India to stay in an ashram and pray. Not as many light-hearted moments as in Italy, but this is where deep, intimate bonds were formed. We see a bit more into Liz's past, and we see her struggle and come out from the experience changed.

She travels to Bali, Indonesia happier and livelier (thank God!). She comes to see the Balinese healer/palm reader Ketut - a very loveable person. This is the part where I really felt that Liz has come to terms with herself and is finally giving herself a chance to start over. She makes friends, and meets Felipe (Javier Bardem), who later on becomes her lover, and then husband. We still see her struggle, but she gets to a good place in her life eventually. There's also a lot of chuckling done by everyone in the theater during her stay in Bali. And the house she stayed at is just beautiful! (I wish I found a picture...)

I have no complains about the acting. Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco, Billy Crudup, and basically everyone in the movie, did a good job. There are quite a few touching and emotional scenes with Julia - she really is a brilliant actress. No question about that.

In the end, I left the theater somewhat entertained and feeling like I traveled to those places too. I also had the feeling of really wanting to read the book in order to really understand and feel connected to the story. The movie didn't leave such a big impact in my life - I'm not a changed person or anything like that. It was just simply a movie to be watched, and I think it will affect different people in different ways.

Is this a movie that you should see? I say yes if you read the book and if you've been really thinking about seeing it. If you want to be really entertained and be laughing every second of the movie, then this is not the best choice. That being said, I don't regret seeing this movie at all. Despite its low points, I thought it was still worth the time and the $11.50. :)

I also just gotta say that I love Julia Roberts' aviator shades (seen in the last photo above and in the one below) and her sandals. :D

Have you seen Eat Pray Love? Are you gonna see it sometime soon? Have you read the book? What did you think of the movie?

*images from Google*