Eat Pray Love – Movie Review

Many films and stories end with a "happy ever after."  But what if the happy ever after never happens and years later romance dies and a marriage comes to an end.  The film starts with the story of Stephen and Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is the author of the book with the same title as the film.  It is her autobiographical account of when their marriage ended and all that happened afterwards.

I felt sorry for her husband Stephen, who clearly says in the film that marriage for him really did mean "'till death do us part."  However, Liz wants to get out of the marriage and she does.  There is some bittersweet humour when Stephen starts making drum machine noises to introduce a song he's going to sing at the divorce proceedings and then shouts "Quitter!  Quitter! Quitter!"  In the book, her mother tells Liz how she made her marriage work with her father.

The story continues as Liz travels to Italy, India and Indonesia.  I'm pleased that there are many wonderful quotes straight from the book.  She meets some nice people along the way and makes friends incredibly easily and wisely.  But where most films may romanticise peoples lives, this shows the nitty gritty pain about trying to sort out hurts from past relationships.  Liz is on a journey to find God and in some places, I believe she does just that.

The film has some great scenes and cinematography, from the New York skyscrapers to Rome in the golden sunlight, to the bustle of India and tranquillity of Bali.  The acting is second to none – it would have to be with Julia Roberts and there is some lovely romantic music.  One of the songs, 'S Wonderful, I thought sounded like it was being sung by the medicine man, who had a very similar soft and gentle voice.  It's a slow film, but it's meant to be – slow like a riverboat.  There is a mellow sense of peacefulness about it.  If I thought it went on too long, maybe it was like an extended vacation.  I felt relaxed and chilled as the story of this woman's journey went through three countries.

The other thing, I have to mention is the food.  Yes, there is lots of eating in this film.  Be warned, it will probably leave you feeling very hungry, even if you do have a large chicken sandwich before watching it.  In some scenes there is more food than in a cookery programme. There is pasta, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, breadsticks and red wine, all accompanied by a feel good factor and laughter from this small group of friends.

I can't say I agree with the conclusions Liz makes after her trip to India about God, but this is her story and she's entitled to her opinion.  It's a film that will leave you feeling refreshed, but thoughtful and reflective.  I'm keen to see if there will be a movie sequel.  The book, Eat Pray Love advertises the book sequel – the title is Committed.