Visitors Review

Sami Somermäki (2012-05-22 20:38)

One of my favorite movies right now!

About the spoiler alert: I don't know if it is a spoiler, but I mentionmy opinion about a choice that's made concerning what is showed in onescene, and the other thing is that I give my opinion about theconnection between the characters played by Julia Roberts and JavierBardem (in the scene after their characters supposedly had sex). One detail: I don't like the finnish word for review, so I'll call allthe reviews I'm gonna write, my OPINIONS, not reviews. OK, so here it is: I came home few hours ago from watching Eat PrayLove and I really liked it! This movie goes to my favorite movies"list" (at least at this moment,) alongside with The Abyss and TheHouse Of Sand And Fog, just to name couple from my "list". I'm a veryaudiovisual person (I like to watch various style of movies anddancing, and listen and play music), so I REALLY LIKED to see JuliaRoberts smiling so much in this movie (at least comparing to the lastrole I saw her in, which was duplicity) and hear her laughter (JuliaRoberts truly is one my favorite actresses, like it wasn't apparent).Also, I really liked the dialog, casting was very good and I enjoyedthe scenery shown in this movie! Those things I mentioned are enoughfor me to give 10 out 10 stars! Couple of details about the movie: I liked the choice that's made inscene where the characters Liz and Felipe are going to have sex, butthat scene ends with Liz closing the door. I think that it was a muchbetter choice to leave what happened after Liz close the door to theviewers imagination, than showing it. I like the connection betweenJulia and Javier in this movie, except in the scene after theysupposedly had sex. I thought the intimate connection you could expectto see wasn't there, maybe a second viewing of the movie will changethat? That was pretty much the only negative thing in movie for me,this movie really gives something for all the senses! If you haven't seen this movie yet and you're hesitant to go see it,because it has the word Pray in the title and you think there is a lotof talking about God and you're not 100% sure that God exists, orsomething like that. Well, God is such a personal matter, but I guessI'll do a risky thing? If it gets someone to watch this movie? I'mgonna include here what I've heard about what God can mean to somepeople and my opinion about believing in something (whether it be Godor some other matter). There is talking about God in this movie, butthis movie doesn't focus just on God (doh!, like wouldn't be apparentjust by looking at the title). My opinion is that no one should forcetheir believes (of God or about any other matter) to anyone else!Everyone should be free to believe in whatever they want, as long itdoesn't hurt anyone else, mentally or physically. I think that thismovie doesn't force you to believe that a certain kind of God exists,because the script doesn't specify what God means in this movie. I'veheard that the word God can mean different things to different people.I heard someone say that the word God could be replaced for instancewith the word Love! You can agree with that or not! Your choice! Lifeis full of those! I end my first opinion about any movie by saying:live in as much Peace and Happiness as you can!

(2012-05-22 09:43)

Surprise

This review is from: Eat Pray Love (DVD) Thought there would me more fluff and not so much real things people go through in life. Although the star does it with not much thought to how things get paid for, it still stuck deep into what each of us is searching for. The meaning we each give to the world is determined by each of us. I watched the movie 3 times in a row,,,,,,, and I am not even a fan of Julia. I bet the book is great.but watch the DVD, and you get the point.

parky36 (2012-05-20 00:58)

Not for everyone

I think it is great that people have the resources to getting to selfawareness. True happiness as the movie clearly points out is "fromwithin". For me anywhere is everywhere and I for one do not need to goto the ends of the earth to find my "bliss".I do travel, but to experience, love, and immerse myself in another'sculture that I can't experience at home.But this book and now movie was researched during better times. Thereis no relevance to today's world in having this globe trippingexperience except for the well to do. So this Grumpy Grumperson sayslet's fix our problems at home before we start to engage in Maslow'sfinal head trip.It was sad to see the self absorbed nature this movie took. There isnot an ounce of nurture here, and within being a human, nurturing ismandatory. This movie comes off as an ego emblazoned person who soughtout answers and picked and chose what she wanted and on and on and on.See it for what it is and nothing else and for me my true happiness isfound right at home meaning I would wait for the DVD.

monikalorincz (2012-05-19 05:14)

Not that bad

I came with prejudices to this movie, mostly because I heard it hadbeen a flop and because of the actual low rating it received on IMDbfrom the spectators. 'Eat Pray Love' is a book I had been wanting toread for a long time, but it's been queued up on my to-read list withso many other books I haven't yet had time to read. But I guess Ishould move it up a bit, especially because I'm pondering about how Imight go about this self-seeking journey myself. I presume it's moreinspiring to read about someone else's self-seeking journey than toactually watch them undertake it, because it is always more interestingfor one to be at the center of such an enterprise, rather then beingjust an inert bystander. I thought Julia Roberts was great - maybe shewas doing some soul-searching herself, because she struck me as quiteconvincing. Javier Bardem I prefer in more serious roles - the loverboy act does not go down well with me (just like in 'Vicky CristinaBarcelona'). Anyway, after having watched 'Morning Glory' (one hasnothing to do with the other, but I guess if more people had watchedthis movie after another one which qualifies as a not very great one,'Eat Pray Love' would have had higher ratings) just the day before, Igave this a 6. In any case, 'eat pray love' might be a betteralternative (at least for a while) of the routinely 'eat sleep makelove'.

njsbhh (2012-05-17 20:29)

Beautiful Movie

I thought this movie was beautiful from within and on the outside. Fromthe scenery to the actors but most importantly the lessons of findingoneself, love and spiritual healing all beautiful. Moments of tears,joy and understanding. What makes it even more endearing is that it wasbased on someone's real life experiences. Although it's a relativelylong movie, it went fast for me for I got lost in it. I have not readthe book yet but now that I've seen the movie I'm interested in readingthe book. Some say it's a movie for women but my husband liked it too.Many of the feelings, struggles and issues in this movie seemuniversal. I will most likely get the DVD and the book. Yeah I liked itthat much.

kaimenkf (2012-05-17 10:58)

A film about narcissism, mediocrity and poor spirit

What happened here? name the most popular actors and you'll find themin the movie. But as usual, actors are not enough. You need a story,for God sake....you need a story. And let me tell you something: towrite about spirituality, self knowledge and wisdom, you need a littleof the three. A mediocre mind can't produce more of what he has inside.That is something that happened when I wasted my dear two hours of timewatching this film. Two hours following the path of someone who I amnot related to, watching her wasting about one year of her life tryingto solve a simple problem. Most of the time I wondered how did she doto be so complex, so inefficient in looking for simple solutions tosimple problems (let's face it: divorcing is not sooooo problematictoday). How did she need to go to India to solve a guilty feeling aboutdivorcing? and the dialogs....let's take a little osho, another littleof deepak Chopra, some self-help best seller and that's it. you havethe movie. Boring, long, mediocre in script....with really good actors,that's right. The first prize in this long series of common places isthe way Javier and Julia meet each other....I can't tell you but everysouth American soap opera has the same situation. Ufff.... keep away ofthis movie.

artanshabani (2012-05-15 06:28)

Being shot by your own success.

An excellent movie, presenting the egocentric viewpoint of "yourworld". The movie I think is about creative people, about their ups anddowns, expectations from them, expectations by themselves, "failure" tomaintain the professional and emotional balance after successes andmaintaining the "healthy" life after they have reached their peak,thinking that they can no longer produce something better. Thus, thecharacter takes a trip to other places, other cultures and tries to"see" herself from other perspectives, aiming to reduce the imaginaryburden and find a long term peace. There are great quotes in the movieand artistic expressions. It is very hard to be understood by the vast majority of people,especially by those who are not involved in arts, psychology and brainscience. I would go as far as to recommend to measure your IQ beforestarting to watch this movie, if it is lower than 120, do not watch it.

Mick LaSalle (2012-05-14 17:38)

It's about something important, the search for meaning and happiness, about finding one's inner life amid the clutter and confusion of modern existence.

sma92176 (2012-05-14 05:42)

This movie is painful

Are we not over Julia Roberts yet? And why is it necessary to shoot afilm about a book that tries to excuses divorce?I'm not espousing that the old school family ways are the way to go,but people are already too ready and willing to get a divorce, whenthey should have really been thinking more about what it means to getmarried.I don't really have much else to say about this film, except that themale cast members are all superb and it is depressing that this moviegot so much hype because of good ole Pretty Woman herself.I think that there are other films out there that can espouse girlpower in a far better manner, rather than helping to continuebrainwashing the stupid masses that divorce is so acceptable and acommon way to go.

(2012-05-13 08:30)

Well done!

This review is from: Eat Pray Love (DVD) The movie captured and recreated the best of the book. Sometimes it felt like it was "skimming over," but if it hadn't, the movie would have been six hours!

camac1 (2012-05-10 02:23)

Shallow, and boring

She was happy when she first married, but now, Liz is becoming bored.She destroys her marriage, breaking the heart of her husband. Now, shewants to focus only on herself- if she does this, she believes she willbe happy again. She impulsively takes off on a round the world tour,hoping that she will find herself along the way. She begins her journeyin Italy, where she eats, buys things, and laughs. In India, she feelsunhappy, and restless again- but at least she tries meditating. Shealso meets a few people, and their misfortune helps make her feelbetter. In Bali she practises her meditation, laughs, cries, and nearlygets run over by a car- the driver with whom she falls in love. At theend of the movie, Liz has made one big circle- she is happier, and in aprettier location, but she is with a man. What bothered me most aboutthis film was its negative, narcissistic, protagonist. Liz spends muchof the film feeling sorry for herself, and complaining about thingsthat she lacks. Despite all the luxury, friends, support, andopportunities she has at her disposal, she is never quite happy enough.In fact, in one scene, she sadly murmurs that she is alone. As the filmmakes clear, the only way she can be truly happy is if she attains a'perfect' balance, and state of being. Liz has had a year to thinkabout things that make her unhappy, but seems incapable of making herown decisions. She mostly does whatever other people tell her- thisdoes not allow her to grow as a character. From what I've seen, she isnot strong, or particularly interesting despite nearly every characterarguing otherwise. Julia Roberts is a beautiful woman, but I eventuallygot tired of looking at her since the photographer showcases closeupsof her face in almost every scene. Julia does her best, butunfortunately, she is given so little to work with. Meanwhile, Liztreats most of the men in this film like disposable playthings- onceshe has had her fun with them, she throws them away. The film is prettyto look at, but that is practically its only redeeming quality. Thereare also a few intriguing minor characters that I wish were betterdeveloped. In conclusion, this is an overlong,shallow, and boring film.

meserethassan (2012-05-09 15:44)

Eat Pray Love

Firstly, I have never written a review about a movie BUT having readthrough the comments that most of you have left about this movie I justhad to. Firstly, why did you bother going to see a movie like this ifyou are going to completely criticise everything about it; the wholepoint of the story is ONE PERSON'S life and the personal decisions thatsomeone has to make?!?!?!? Do you not think we hear enough about 'war,famine, rape, murder' in our daily life/news. This movie is/and wasnever going to be about that – surely title gave it away 'EAT PRAYLOVE'… NOT 'FAMINE, CLIMATE CHANGE, MURDER' EPL is a movie about themost intimate thoughts and feelings a of a modern woman who is caughtup in a life she does not want and how she develops and changesherself/her life for the benefit herself and others around her – and tomost of you that's a selfish thing to do?!?!?! REALLY!!!! I thoughtthat EPL was brilliant. Your comments 'she is selfish', 'what planet isshe from'... just because Liz was living a life that society 'thinks'we should be living, (married to a lovely man, beautiful home) does notmean she will be happy doing it does it?! AT LEAST she was a decent andstrong person and didn't cheat on her husband (which so many do) orrely on happy pills or alcohol to get herself through the day (whichmany people do). She took herself away from her life and tried toreconnect with what she wants in life. And I'm also guessing that NONEOF YOU have actually meditated, or spent time in an ashram or been'silent' for any length of time?! I recommend you do it and then watchthe movie again. Regular meditation, being silent for a length of timeand all of those other so called 'hippy' things that she does areextremely enlightening and truly magical… thing is, not everyone canhandle it… it's not easy taking a good hard look at yourself. The otherinteresting thing is that regardless of whether you're happy or unhappyin your current life, the things that Liz incorporates into her lifeare extremely beneficial and if we all spent time doing those things,life would see much brighter, simpler and happier place. I feelslightly sorry for those that cannot see the simple beauty in this TRUESTORY that was originally meant to be a kind of 'self help' book… thatthings happen for a reason and that people come and go in our life(male, female, young and old) and that you need to be true to yourselfto be truly happy in your own skin.

(2012-05-09 04:34)

Eat, Pray, Love

`Eat, Pray, Love' is an average film with a decent message and as I haven't read the book I can only review this film based on it's own merits, rather than comparing it to the message the book imparts.This film follows Liz (Julia Roberts) after she divorces her husband and travels to Italy, India and Bali as she tries to find some meaning in her life. She learns about herself, makes some friends and has some amazing experiences, like travel will often do for anyone.I hate to say it, but this film is overly sentimental and whilst the basic message is a good one (being true to yourself and finding god within you) this film feels like it has to spell it out for you as if you are stupid and can't grasp the message being rammed down your throat at every turn. This may sound harsh and I don't mean it to, as this is perfectly watchable and entertaining, but I don't know why film makers feel the need to dumb things down to such a degree that they almost insult the viewers intelligence. The `meaningful' voice-overs spelling things out particularly started to grate by the end of the film. Roberts is pretty average in this film and Bardem is probably the best of the actors here. Saying that, Richard Jenkins is very good as well and deserves a mention. The direction is ok and is certainly very glossy and shows the countries off to spectacular effect (like a glorified tourist advert for each destination), but it lacks a certain depth and, like the film in general, it feels rather superficial.Don't get me wrong, this film is good enough and certainly has something to offer, but it has no nuance and isn't as `deep' as it likes to think it is. The book may be a whole lot better, but judging this is on it's own merits I'd say this is a good but not great film and it is worth a watch; just don't expect too much and you should be fine.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

(2012-05-08 10:06)

Julia, I've never liked you.

I am the sick type who did not even enjoy Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman". What kind of street walker has such gorgeous teeth? Since this is not a review of that movie, let me ask, "What kind of middle-aged woman looking for meaning in life has such gorgeous teeth?" I couldn't buy this movie for a second. What the heck was wrong with her first husband or James Franco or her lovely uptown loft? All middle-aged women looking for life's meaning should have it so hard. They should also have the money and the looks to travel the world, eat pizza, and run into Javier Bardem (without a cattle gun). Avoid at all costs unless you are a huge sap.

Christy Lemire (2012-05-08 01:37)

It provides a gorgeous escape, exquisitely photographed and full of female wish fulfillment. Yet it also offers sufficient emotional heft and self-discovery to make you feel as if you've actually learned something.

L L (2012-05-07 07:59)

A Champion of its own

I absolutely loved this movie and read the book years back while on atrip to Italy. I was very touched by the movie and the performances ofall - including Roberts, Bardem, Franco...I find Liz to be such astrong courageous woman, thought Roberts was fantastic in herportrayal. I found the action of Liz leaving husband, David, and hometo be such a devastating and traumatic decision for her though she hadher armor up which may have been perceived as callous. The process ofgoing out of ones comfort zone and leaving behind security to challengeyourself alone to find self-forgiveness and nonetheless in a differentcountry is daunting to say the least. I hope that people reallyunderstand the issue with her journey - she couldn't forgive herself.Similar to when Felipe noted to her that 'it's all heartbreak'regarding her self-judgment of her divorce being 'lesser than' his, ifeel that no matter what the reason behind one's own lack ofself-forgiveness, the inner-isolation and deprivation it can cause aperson is all the same in the end and can change how ppl act or reacttowards others. I feel that Roberts really allowed that painfuldisconnect to come through while still being able to show Liz in allher femininity, humor and caring. I also had thought what a strongmessage of the bloody wound on her leg that resulted from Liz andFelipe's accident...she was on a path of self forgiveness but when theycrashed together, the wound resulted and blood surfaced to which shewas initially unaware. that was her true test to trust to love againbut this time letting her heart surface instead. I was very impressedwith Roberts ability to capture that moment on the docks near boatafter her insensitivity toward Felipe scenes earlier, she really wasglowing, and she conveyed the confidence in herself and the love that Ineeded to believe she had transformed her doubt. I was not veryfamiliar with Javier Bardem before, and thought his scenes and momentswere so endearing, sincere and was so drawn into his amazingperformance. I really appreciate this movie, and will watch many times.

(2012-05-07 09:37)

WTF!

THIS MOVIE IS FOR ALL THOSE NORTHAMERICAN WOMEN IN THEIR MIDDLE AGE CRISIS!! GOT DIVORCE AND FIND THE NEXT GUY.SOUNDS NEW? NOPE...

(2012-05-06 21:39)

movies

This review is from: Eat Pray Love (DVD) We had read the book previously and enjoyed it. The movie was almost as good as the book. Our daughter was visiting and it was a great family activity for the holidays. It is highly recommended.

Jeff Bayer (2012-05-02 19:41)

I saw it. I didn't feel it. Look, I'm happy for Julia Roberts to travel the world. I just never felt connected to the journey of Liz.

mmunier (2012-05-02 10:03)

Eat pop corn, sleep, and good luck with love

Woman divorce man on a whim of self indulgence and goes around theworld (well,three parts of the world anyway) to explain herself. Atleast that what I think I got from this. After reading quite a fewdisappointing reviews here, noting the low rating, and quite surprisednot to see Javier Bardem name in the cast list; what happened thereIMDb? I felt I should put my ten cents too. Like many others we went tosee it on free tickets, these compliment of Scenic Tour; It would notshock me to learn the company got a cheap deal to offer this movie totheir customers and potential new customers as the offer extended toone guess per person - Here we go, so cynical! For those who sufferedthrough this movie I would like them to know and deduct how it was forus, we arrived late and sat in the third row from the front. (I'm gladthough it did not happen to a better movie!). I too am a J Robert fanbut had to dose off a little to shorten the length of suffering. Then Ipick up a little further without too much difficulty. I feel I had morefun reading about it than watching it. One of those readings appealedto my warped sense of humour when it included that some part of Italywere hard to recognise as they'd been cleaned up so well - but this wasnot repeated about India! Well I did not find it all that bad though,It was thought provoking on way or the other, I don't count my self asone of the specialist of the 7th art and often look just forentertainment, personally I have seen worse.