Eat, Pray, Love...the movie

I read the book and thought it was just OK. Will not be seeing the movie.

I saw it last night. What did you think?

Would love your thoughts. Read some reviews this morning....none were really glowing, and consensus seemed to be that Julia was "too much star" for the role of Liz Gilbert??

Would love your thoughts. Read some reviews this morning....none were really glowing, and consensus seemed to be that Julia was "too much star" for the role of Liz Gilbert??

I can't wait to hear some 'real people reviews' from those that liked the book.

I LOVED the book. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie next week.
I don't think it's an easy task to successfully translate this sort of subject matter to film... but... at minimum I'm hoping for some beautiful scenery on the big screen. India and Italy are my two favorite countries of all my travels abroad.

Would love your thoughts. Read some reviews this morning....none were really glowing, and consensus seemed to be that Julia was "too much star" for the role of Liz Gilbert??

I can sort of agree with that, however, any time Julia plays a "real" person, it would be the same. I enjoyed the movie. Some others I was with did not. You certainly cannot take it too seriously. I don't agree with a lot of the "spiritual" aspect of it but I did enjoy the relationship portrayals.

I can sort of agree with that, however, any time Julia plays a "real" person, it would be the same. I enjoyed the movie. Some others I was with did not. You certainly cannot take it too seriously. I don't agree with a lot of the "spiritual" aspect of it but I did enjoy the relationship portrayals.

I did enjoy the book, so I'll likely go. I adored "Richard from Texas", hope they found a good actor for his role. I found out the real one passed in spring of this year, sad he missed getting to see himself on the big screen

I did enjoy the book, so I'll likely go. I adored "Richard from Texas", hope they found a good actor for his role. I found out the real one passed in spring of this year, sad he missed getting to see himself on the big screen

Sad. Was an interesting character (also sad) role played by Richard Jenkins. I've been readng reviews and it doesn't sound good.

The book was good, but not all the rage that many people made it. The movie was as good as the book, and one of the better movies released in 2010. They did a great job of translating the love and passion of Italian food onto the big screen -- Just be sure to eat before going to see the movie, because they did such a good job that you may begin to drool over the food.

Not sure of the actor's name portraying Richard, but he was perfectly casted.

Was Julia Roberts too big of a star to play the role? Maybe, but she played the role well. The entire time you see her on the screen, and there are many facial close ups of her, I'm thinking, Julia Roberts, not Elizabeth Gilbert. Just as I didn't recognize any of the other characters, the movie may have felt more "real" if an unknown was playing the role, but then again, who wants an unknown to play the leading role in what could be a very big money maker? I think they played it smart in getting a big name who can act.

From the first few minutes of the movie, I knew that I would enjoy watching it, and I did.

Surely hard core Christians will object to the thought of Hinduism which is part of the movie, so don't be surprised if that is part of people's negative reactions. Hinduism is a beautiful religion that is very Christ like in many ways, which Jesus' followers have strayed from.

Couldn't finish the book. Didn't like it and won't be seeing the movie.

Great location shots, cute hunky fellows, nice soundtrack, but the movie didn't do justice to the book (they rarely do) and ultimately, I can't relate to the main cahracter who has to travel all over the world for an inner journey. Hub and I decided our journey together has been far richer and more satisfying and interesting than all her exotic wanderings. Not to be smug or anything, just I like my own journey more than hers.

I think that is one of the points of the movie -- many people constantly search externally for inner belonging. Remember how she goes to the Ashram to listen to the guru who isn't there? Who was it who told her to find God in her?

It is a story of one's life. We don't all have the knack of knowing about life before we experience it first hand.

I never read the book, but went to see the movie with a friend who did.
She had read it at a time when she was emotionally in a bad place.
It had helped her.
I had felt very cynical about the book, I mean here is this privileged, self-absorbed Manhattan drama queen touring the world on this huge book advance, while regular women juggle job, childcare and rent.

But some of the most intellectually elite people can be *clueless* about how to go about living their lives.
Feed yourself well? Who'd a thunk it?
Take a break from the outside world and get in touch with your spiritual side, reflect, meditate? What a concept!
Love yourself, and then you can love someone else? Works for me!

As Koa says, not everyone instinctively knows such things.
I also agree that some people need to seek far and wide in order to get inside themselves.
Whatever helps a person live a better life is fine with me. I was not bowled over, but I enjoyed the movie, especially enjoyed the friends Julia/Elizabeth made along the way.

I never read the book, but went to see the movie with a friend who did.
She had read it at a time when she was emotionally in a bad place.
It had helped her.
I had felt very cynical about the book, I mean here is this privileged, self-absorbed Manhattan drama queen touring the world on this huge book advance, while regular women juggle job, childcare and rent.

But some of the most intellectually elite people can be *clueless* about how to go about living their lives.
Feed yourself well? Who'd a thunk it?
Take a break from the outside world and get in touch with your spiritual side, reflect, meditate? What a concept!
Love yourself, and then you can love someone else? Works for me!

As Koa says, not everyone instinctively knows such things.
I also agree that some people need to seek far and wide in order to get inside themselves.
Whatever helps a person live a better life is fine with me. I was not bowled over, but I enjoyed the movie, especially enjoyed the friends Julia/Elizabeth made along the way.

Cil - you must be my twin soul. everything you described about the book is what kept me from it. plus, it just wasn't my kind of read. I took a peek and said "nahhh..."

however, I do plan to see the movie because I love Julia Roberts. and surely the scenery is worthy.

...plan to see the movie because I love Julia Roberts. and surely the scenery is worthy.

Heh
That, and the fact that my friend wanted to go, was why I went.
Love Julia, and love travel scenes. Bali was especially breathtaking to me.
Javier Bardem was not too difficult to look at, either.

Some women viewers will stay away on sheer principle. They don't want to buy into what is being marketed to them, and I respect that.

Over the years, there have been a zillion books, plays, and movies about a woman's need for wellness and self-discovery, some films depicting someone like Gilbert, who is financially secure, and others, such as Jessica Lange's character in "Men Don't Leave," who is in a more tenuous (dare I say tragic) situation.

The media calls some of this Improve Thyself stuff "privilege lit," and I can see why.
Perhaps it is our need to gather, to accessorize, that compels us to read, watch or take classes. If we just purchase the right candle, the vibes will enter us during Downward Dog, and enlightenment will follow!

There are so many women in so many walks of life. Sometimes I have to remind myself to skip the class consciousness, preconceived notions, and any other superficialities.
I would like to keep the sisterhood strong.

Heh
That, and the fact that my friend wanted to go, was why I went.
Love Julia, and love travel scenes. Bali was especially breathtaking to me.
Javier Bardem was not too difficult to look at, either.

Some women viewers will stay away on sheer principle. They don't want to buy into what is being marketed to them, and I respect that.

Over the years, there have been a zillion books, plays, and movies about a woman's need for wellness and self-discovery, some films depicting someone like Gilbert, who is financially secure, and others, such as Jessica Lange's character in "Men Don't Leave," who is in a more tenuous (dare I say tragic) situation.

The media calls some of this Improve Thyself stuff "privilege lit," and I can see why.
Perhaps it is our need to gather, to accessorize, that compels us to read, watch or take classes. If we just purchase the right candle, the vibes will enter us during Downward Dog, and enlightenment will follow!

There are so many women in so many walks of life. Sometimes I have to remind myself to skip the class consciousness, preconceived notions, and any other superficialities.
I would like to keep the sisterhood strong.

I hear ya.

I skipped the book because reading is a personal, intimate thing you commit hours of time on (I'm very selective about my reading - not that I don't read some crappy stuff now and then, and enjoy it!) - Eat Pray Love wasn't appealing enough to me and I didn't care enough about the woman's journey to read it. But a movie, especially with Julia, is something I can definitely get into.

Couldn't finish the book. Didn't like it and won't be seeing the movie.

I thought I was the only person who could not finish the book! Just could not get into it, so not sure about the movie. I am so ADD, that sitting in a theater for 1 1/2 to 2 hours is a challenge....unless it is real theater! Then I can watch forever!

I haven't read it either - will probably see the movie when they show it on TV or they have it at the library.

Usually women like this make me want to slap them because they are so delusional and self absorbed. There are people in the world with real problems.

Mama Scooterbug finally told her book club that she couldn't stand ANY more books about upper middle class women with issues, so they have switched to disaster stories. Amazing that there are authors who can make massive natural disasters boring.

Usually women like this make me want to slap them because they are so delusional and self absorbed. There are people in the world with real problems.

Some people think that if you haven't found God within you, it IS a real problem.

Some people think that if you haven't found God within you, it IS a real problem.

I have only found it to be a real problem for those people.

If they are truly on a quest to find God within them, I wouldn't have to hear about it. :roll:

The more someone broadcasts their religion, the less they truly believe it/practice it IMO.

Do you think she is trying to convert you?

Maybe it is just a simple novel, and not intended to preach. I never once thought about it being a person's hard-felt passions of life. To me, it always seemed like another story, which is nice enough. If you don't like it, don't want to see it, move on.

I haven't read it either - will probably see the movie when they show it on TV or they have it at the library.

Usually women like this make me want to slap them because they are so delusional and self absorbed. There are people in the world with real problems.

Mama Scooterbug finally told her book club that she couldn't stand ANY more books about upper middle class women with issues, so they have switched to disaster stories. Amazing that there are authors who can make massive natural disasters boring.

I like Mama Scootybooger very much..

Saw the movie and really enjoyed it. Its a good story. My favorite part is when she is eating her way through Italy and enjoying good friends. but her experiences in India and Bali were interesting too.

This is the kind of movie I enjoy more and more.. its a good story with interesting characters. but its not in the least stressful - no violence, no high action, no tasteless/ridiculous exploits... just a good story. relaxing. well done.

I must admit that after seeing the movie, I may be interested in reading the book (the movie glosses over a lot of the details given in the book). Its a story of a woman who enjoys travel and adventure - she is seeking happiness and searching for balance, and learns a lot about herself along the way. divorce just happens to be part of her transition - its not the whole story - even though she does dwell on it for the first part (the part I couldn't get past in the book) - but she later realizes that all of the hard things we endure are a necessary part of our lives as we live and learn to find balance and happiness.

I also liked that in the end, she had to learn that love is messy and it creates imbalance which is worthwhile and necessary to find overall balance in the big picture of life.

Saw the movie and really enjoyed it. Its a good story. My favorite part is when she is eating her way through Italy and enjoying good friends. but her experiences in India and Bali were interesting too.

This is the kind of movie I enjoy more and more.. its a good story with interesting characters. but its not in the least stressful - no violence, no high action, no tasteless/ridiculous exploits... just a good story. relaxing. well done.

I must admit that after seeing the movie, I may be interested in reading the book (the movie glosses over a lot of the details given in the book). Its a story of a woman who enjoys travel and adventure - she is seeking happiness and searching for balance, and learns a lot about herself along the way. divorce just happens to be part of her transition - its not the whole story - even though she does dwell on it for the first part (the part I couldn't get past in the book) - but she later realizes that all of the hard things we endure are a necessary part of our lives as we live and learn to find balance and happiness.

I also liked that in the end, she had to learn that love is messy and it creates imbalance which is worthwhile and necessary to find overall balance in the big picture of life.

T, loved the audio version of the book, easier to get through and Elizabeth Gilbert narrates, along with some other quite perfect characters.
Packed an entire house while listening...