Last night I was invited to see a preview screening of Eat, Pray Love at the Legacy Place theater (on the Lux Level where you have armchair like seats and a waitress who brings you food and booze!) Of course, I was apprehensive going into it. While I know a good percentage of you didn’t love the book and found it self-indulgent and whiny, I loved it, which made the stakes higher for me. Unfortunately, it did disappoint. It was entertaining, but lacked the depth and emotional recognition I found in the book. I actually found myself able to see why people might see the story as whiny and self-indulgent. The screenwriters kind of glossed over the real devestation and desperation Gilbert felt in her life and so it made my ability to connect with the character much harder. I know there is a time limit and you can only develop so much, but they tidied up the story so much that it lost a lot of it’s soul. The pivotal bathroom floor scene for example, which is an important part of the book became a quick, “couple-tear-drop”, totally underwhelming moment. Also missing was the raw sense of humor- I laughed only a handful of times and while reading the book I remember laughing quite a bit. The brutal honesty and amusing anecdotes Gilbert wove into her recounting of her experience were watered down in the film.
The biggest problem is Julia Roberts in this role. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it is too difficult to separate “movie star Julia” from “Liz”. Whenever someone in the film called her character Liz I found myself being confused because all I saw and heard was Julia, with that big smile and cackling laugh. And frankly, it makes it hard to feel bad for her and feel her despair. Now I actually really like Julia Roberts, but this was a major case of miscasting. I would have liked to see someone like Michelle Williams, Laura Linney or Kate Winslet in this role, who has less of a giant Hollywood identity. Another character let down was Richard from Texas- my favorite character! In the book his one liners made me laugh out loud and warm my heart- and when I saw the real Richard on Oprah I loved him even more. But this Richard was kind of sad and not as feisty as the real one and some of his better lines were left out. Javier Bardem was good (is he ever bad?) and James Franco can certainly play a slightly caddish boyfriend without issue. A great character was that of Lucca Spaghetti in Italy, a delightful moment in the film.
Now it wasn’t all bad- the scenery was gorgeous and there were some really lovely moments that made me revisit why I need to read this book again. The general concept of self-discovery and looking inward, not in a self-indulgent way but in a desire to find out what REALLY makes you happy is one I personally need to be reminded of. So if you loved the book and want to see the movie, go see it! If you hated the book, absolutely skip it. If you have not read the book, it’s not the ideal way to experience Gilbert’s memoir, but it’s better than not experiencing it at all in my opinion.
Love your reviews. I think I will skip it. All I see is Julia Roberts, too.
I am so bummed to hear this, though not surprised. You know I love the book just like you! It really has become Eat, Pray, Overexposed. :( Seems so NOT what I expected from Liz Gilbert??
Going this weekend. Love Julie Roberts, so I can’t pass it up.
Teresa (Splendid Sass)
I agree with Lea…I so appreciate your reviews, but I think I am still going to go see it…
I do agree with you though…whatever film Julia plays in; it’s so hard to seperate her larger-than-life persona from the character she is actually playing…
Oh, and I love the new design!
Thanks!
Loved reading this review… I definitely want to see it for the scenery!!
I didn’t love the book (I’m in the whiny and self-indulgent camp) and was kind of hesitant about the movie. I’ll probably still see it, but with even more trepidation.
I’m about midway through “Italy” in the book. I haven’t thought of Liz as whiny, but I really don’t have any problem with people who need to “discover” themselves. I can TOTALLY see how Julia’s star status could overshadow the role, making it hard to see Liz as the desperate person she was when she began the journey. I’ll see the flick, but probably not until it hits Apple TV. Glad for your recap!
Thanks for the review. I agree with you about Julia Roberts. It’s the same thing with Tom Cruise. I just can’t see either of them as their characters, I just think, “There’s Julia Roberts being funny. Or Tom Cruise sure is running around a lot.”
I haven’t read the book (yet) but I have this terrible habit of seeing movie adaptions first and THEN reading the book afterwards, so I’ll probably do the same with Eat, Pray, Love. Julia Roberts bugs me, but I am enticed by the beautiful scenery. BTW, my friends who have read the books have similar feelings as you: that casting Julia was a big mistake, and that it should have been someone with less of a “big presence”.
You’ve confirmed my worse fears. :) I read the book twice, at very different times in my life. The first time I enjoyed some of the conceptual ideas, but definitely came away with the “indulgent” feeling you describe above; the second time (with some major time in between reads) I related so much more, and just absolutely loved it. I have never been so conflicted about a movie – super excited to get me some more E,P,L – but at the same time knowing it will almost surely dissapoint. Thanks for providing the scoop. I will try to brace myself. ;)
That’s so sad for me to hear. I felt the same way about the book as you did and have been counting down to see it in theaters with the hopes of reliving the best moments of the book. Oh well, I’ll still see it and try to hope for the best!
I was hesitant about seeing julia roberts play her too — bummer you were disappointed. I kind of expected it to fall short of my expectations — but i’ll probably see it anyway!
I am TRYING to get through the book. I heard so many good reviews about it, and I love reading, but this book seems to be taking me FOR-EVER to read. I’m only like on page 20.. and I’ve been reading it for almost three weeks now.
I will probably go see the movie… just because… but not only until I finish the book. Or maybe I will see the movie.. and then I won’t have to finish the book. IDK.
Erin – Thanks for the pithy review. You convinced me to read the book whether or not I see the movie.
Payton
I am reading the book now and I can’t put it down. I have been devoted to the memoir for a while now (even thinking about writing one from the two giant novel-like journals my wonderful grandfather left behind to my family when he passed away- they are hilarious!). Anyway, I love the fluidity in the book… sort of how her thoughts blend from one story, or person, to the next. You’re right about the bathroom scene. If that’s not done right, how can any of it be right? I am in the middle of “Pray” right now and I am truly fascinated and intrigued. While I love Julia Roberts, I can already see what you’re saying from the previews. Kate Winslet would have been great probably. Oh well. Thank you for the review!
Hope your birthday turned out to be awesome and not a frowny-face night! We need pics of you in this dress!
Great review! I’ve been pondering what was turning me off of the ads and the trailers for E, P, L and I came to the conclusion that Julia Roberts isn’t believable as Liz. It isn’t just that she’s Julia Roberts, though that is part of it. It is that she’s ten years too old for the part. Not only is she chronologically not believable as a woman in her early 30s, but she’s been in Hollywood too long to pull of the illusion. All that said, I’ll save the movie for a Netflix “boyfriend out of town” night.
Thanks for the review. I will see this movie, but as soon as I found out Julia Roberts was in this movie, I was fiercely upset! I am not a huge fan of hers. One big issue is that I think she is too old for this role. And too “Julia Roberts” as you mentioned.
I imagine Kate Winslet as well. I LOVE your Laura Linney idea as well, however, wish there was someone a little younger…. This role would have been perfect for an unknown.. there are SO many actresses out there. This movie didn’t need Julia Roberts.
I felt the same way when I saw it was Julia in that role…I couldn’t picture it. I also loved the book and hearing that the bathroom scene wasn’t captured as should be makes me rethink seeing this (maybe once it is out on DVD). Thanks for the review :)
Yup, the movie was miscast. They needed someone more “normal”.
I’m just praying that they don’t do the same to the Stieg Larsson movies
Yeah, like another commenter said above, it took me forever to get through that book, and I’m a fast reader. And, admittedly, I too found her whiny and indulgent. I’m reading “Committed” right now and I’m surprised that I’m actually getting through it easier. Her history of marriage is interesting, but picking through what is accurate and what is merely her spin on it, is frustrating. And her whinyness comes through all the more in this book, in my opinion.
But none of it will stop me from going to see the movie. I’m interested, at the very least, in the delicious Javier. :)
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Oh no! It disappointed? Like you, I enjoyed the book quite a bit – enough to recommend it to friends and family. It even resonated deeply enough with me that it inspired creativity (http://theneave.com/eat-pray-and-then-what/) many months after I finished reading it. I suppose that the limited resources afforded in the movie adaptation of any book make the endeavor a risky one. After all, when you try to use man-made tools to mirror the reader’s capacity to imagine and wonder, how can Hollywood complete?!
Character development is an integral part of any story for me. Do you think that if they made the movie into three parts a la Harry Potter, releasing perhaps Eat this summer, Pray next year and Love in 2012 (assuming the world doesn’t explode by then), it would have done the book and the author justice?
I think you hit spot on, in general, why I have such a problem with Julia Roberts as an actor … because she’s just Julia Roberts and has sort of morphed into just being the personality, not the actress. That being said, I’m glad that I’m reading – finishing, really – the book first and not going into see the film. I’m sure it’s visually stunning, but I’d rather enjoy it properly.
Bummer. I’ve been excited to see it. Maybe if I have low expectations I’ll like it more!
Interesting, there hardly ever is a movie review that personal. I don’t actually know the book, but I was thinking about seeing the movie. Do you think it makes sense to read the book after seeing the movie, or should I just read the book and skip Julia altogether?
Great review Erin. I looooved the book. Read it four times, completely identified with it, and was very worried when I heard Julia Roberts had been cast. I completely agree Laura Linney would have been a better choice. All that being said, I am still going to go see it on Saturday and will love it even if it’s not as great as the book!
Honestly, didnt really like the book and if YOU didnt like the movie… I aint going!
I have this on my summer reading list – I know I”m a little behind, but I prefer to read a book before the movie so it will most likely be a rental for me
Love this review , I love reading.The biggest problem is Julia Roberts in this role.I love her
So so disappointed to read your review since I also loved the book. I was already suspicious when I heard Julia Roberts was playing Liz. Your very perceptive comments echo exactly what I feared. I will go see it anyway but am now forewarned not to get too excited. Am still excited to see I am Love, however.
I am in the “found it waaay to whiney” camp. I appreciate your review even though I knew I would not be seeing the movie…and I think you are SPOT ON with your casting call. Laura Linney would have been a great call…maybe that could be your next job..casting director down here in Hollywood East. Plymouth ..is that even still happening??
I just came across this article and was so curious as to how you might respond — particularly in light of your Eat, Pray, Sell-Out article too…
http://bitchmagazine.org/article/eat-pray-spend
I read the books a couple of years ago. I thought it was a good point until recently I came across a statement that made me wonder about the popularity of the book.
would we have had the same connection with Liz Gilbert if she had stayed overseas? what if she had never returned to the states except to make family visits? would her book have had the same result? Julia is one of my favorite actresses and I won’t deny that’s the main reason for wanting to see it. but I do realize that most of the time movies don’t paint the true essence of a non-fiction story.
I’m gonna pick up tix for this Monday – after all the buzz I have to check it out. VH1 Save The Music did a little promo where if you buy your movie tix or a copy of the book online a percent goes to their projects.
Check it out:
http://shop.vh1savethemusic.com/eat-pray-love-shop
Enjoy and I’ll see you at the movies!
I totally agree with you… just saw the movie this past weekend. The casting could have been better. I thought the ending (Bali) was the best part.
i saw it last night (on a “date” with my husband. ya know, the kind where i see eat, pray, love and he sees the expendables, yeh) and was pretty disappointed. for sure with richard from texas and her husband aaaannnddd the made-up parts – i mean, why?! anyway, it was still beautiful and fun to see such a tale come to life. i definitely started re-reading the book as soon as i got home though ;)