Eat, Pray, Love

One of the obstacles I had to overcome while watching Eat, Pray, Love was the lead character, Liz Gilbert. Mind you, I do not know anything about the real person who inspired the character, nor have I read the autobiographical novel she wrote that inspired this film. But, judging solely by how she is portrayed on the screen, she comes across as a shallow, self-obsessed woman who hurts others simply because she is unhappy with where she is in her life. I'm sure the book explained some of her decisions much better, but in the movie, I wasn't too fond of her.

It helps somewhat that Liz Gilbert is played by Julia Roberts. Her warm personality and screen presence kind of help sand off some of the rough edges of the character. But, it still doesn't really help matters when the character seems to care only about herself for most of the first part of the film. As the story opens, Liz is a bored upper class wife and author who despite being married to a devoted husband (Billy Crudup), is unhappy with where her life is. She, she rather coldly divorces her husband, leaving him heartbroken and rejected. Instantly, she goes rushing into the arms of a young stage actor (James Franco), but once again, she does not find what she is looking for, becomes unhappy, and dumps him. At least we can sort of see the cracks showing in her relationship with the Franco character, but considering we spend so little time with the first husband before she leaves him, and only get to see his pain and suffering, the movie does not paint a very flattering portrait of its heroine.

Liz decides she needs a massive change in her life. She decides to take the trip she has always dreamed of, hoping to find herself and what she's really looking for. Her first stop is Italy, where she plans to see all the sights and do a lot of binge eating of pasta and pizza for four months. Next, it's off to India, where she'll practice meditation and try to find peace with herself. Finally, she plans to head off for Bali, where she will reconnect with a wise medicine man she once met, and continue her spiritual journey. I really hope Gilbert's book explains how she managed to pay for this massive trip that seems to last a year or more, because the movie gives no hint whatsoever. She simply tells her best friend (Viola Davis) her plans, and she's off to see the world a quick scene change later. (After a brief, cold farewell to the Franco character.)

It's about this point that the screenplay by director Ryan Murphy (TV's Glee) and Jennifer Salt (TV's Nip/Tuck) turns less into a cohesive narrative, and more into an overstuffed travelogue. The scenes set in Italy consist of absolutely nothing but Roberts touring the city, meeting some colorful locals (who bring nothing to the story), and comical montages where Liz and a friend she meets try on different pants that can match their expanding waistlines from all the pasta they're eating. I was starting to grow a little restless, but then she heads for India, and we meet the most interesting character in the film - a somewhat cranky, middle-aged Texas man named Richard. He's played by character actor Richard Jenkins, and it's the one performance that resonates, because he brings some actual depth to his character.

Richard, like Liz, is in India seeking peace with himself and some answers to some hard questions in his life. We don't know what those questions are at first, but the more that Liz gets to know and befriend him, he lets down his guard and begins to open up. When he finally reveals the moment he felt his life hit rock bottom and sent him leaving home seeking answers, it's the most powerful moment of the film, because of how Jenkins plays it. Just watch his performance in the scene. He actually seems to be breaking down right there on the screen. But he doesn't overdo it like a lesser actor would. It's a quietly powerful moment, and the best scene in the entire movie. Should Jenkins be honored with a Supporting Actor nod come next year, I would not be disappointed.

As soon as the character of Richard leaves the film, so does any built-up power, as Liz travels to Bali. The movie was approaching the two hour mark by this point, and we're finally introduced to the film's central love interest - a Brazilian man named Felipe (Javier Bardem). They have a "meet cute" when he almost hits her with his car while she's out bicycling. Things move swiftly after that, not because the characters seem genuinely attracted to each other, but that there's about a half hour or so left in the movie. Bardem is a fine actor, but he never really creates any real chemistry with Roberts. It doesn't help that by the time he arrives on the screen, I really just wanted the movie to be over.

Running at 133 minutes, Eat, Pray, Love often feels stretched out, and at times interminable. There are scenes or characters that grab our interest, but I never really felt a personal connection with Liz or her journey of self discovery. I didn't like her that much during her early scenes, and the remainder of the movie did little to improve my opinion. Roberts is as likable as ever, she's just stuck with a character who rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. It also doesn't take long for the movie to dive head-first into escapist female fantasy, despite it being based on a true story. Not only can Liz supposedly fly off on her year-long globe-trotting adventure at a moment's notice with no preparation or money worries, but everyone she comes across just so happens to hold some words of wisdom or spiritual advice that bring her a little bit closer to her goal. It gets to the point that it seems like some of the people she meets were just sitting there, waiting for an American who had lost focus in their life to come walking by.

At the very least, this is a well-made movie. The location scenes are beautifully shot, and there's some really good camera work on display. The story just comes across as being so hollow and empty. Like I said, I have not read the original book, so all of my judgments will have to be based on what's up on the screen. Eat, Pray, Love works well enough as a travelogue, but as a compelling narrative, it falls flat.

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