I dove into this movie without knowing what it's really about except I know it's a movie about finding oneself and it's directed by Ryan Murphy. I read some reviews about it too --- and there's really no scarcity of negative reviews about this one.
In the first 30 minutes of the movie, I figured why a lot of people didn't like this movie. Audience are used to likable protagonists and humorous antagonists that Liz Gilbert didn't even stand a chance. You really have to keep an open mind in watching the movie.
Liz Gilbert is a rare breed and for a lot of people, she's selfish, clueless, insatiable and mostly lost. It's hard to connect and sympathize with such a person who will leave their spouse just because they don't feel right. Why would we? From the outside, life seems to be perfect for her --- she has an adoring husband, a great job, a great house ---- everything that almost everybody wants.
Not everyone is such. It's the beauty of movies, you get to witness life happen from a different perspective. And with this, I appreciate what I saw in the movie. It's really not the greatest but it was an exploration and an honest one which is hard to come by.
I don't know if it's really a journey towards finding yourself but to me, it was more a journey towards forgiving yourself for wanting something not everybody would understand. I guess if it's hard to be brave to do the right thing, it's harder to find the courage to choose to do something for your happiness despite the fact it that will make you despicable.
Not everyone will have the courage to break away from something but what struck me the most is her ability to verbalize that she doesn't feel anymore. I mean, can you imagine yourself not feeling anything? From that standpoint, I totally understood her reasons for leaving even if a lot of people would see her as the most evil wife in history. I guess I would have to compare it to remodeling a house. In order to make something new and fantastic, you have to break down walls, tear down the order of things.
Through her journey, she was constantly mocked for her choices, for not wanting to be married, for not wanting to have kids, for quitting that easily. And in the end, there was really no amazing discovery or reinvention. All there was, is a woman that finally managed to forgive herself so she can move on.
By no means this movie is a masterpiece but it was a unique voice and a refreshing perspective in an age where most movies are purged with molds for antagonists and protagonists. I just kinda wish they didn't cast Julia Roberts for this. Either they are trying to balance out the unlikable with the likable actress but I think it doesn't work. Diane Lane or Cate Blanchett would have been wonderful in this one.
In the first 30 minutes of the movie, I figured why a lot of people didn't like this movie. Audience are used to likable protagonists and humorous antagonists that Liz Gilbert didn't even stand a chance. You really have to keep an open mind in watching the movie.
Liz Gilbert is a rare breed and for a lot of people, she's selfish, clueless, insatiable and mostly lost. It's hard to connect and sympathize with such a person who will leave their spouse just because they don't feel right. Why would we? From the outside, life seems to be perfect for her --- she has an adoring husband, a great job, a great house ---- everything that almost everybody wants.
Not everyone is such. It's the beauty of movies, you get to witness life happen from a different perspective. And with this, I appreciate what I saw in the movie. It's really not the greatest but it was an exploration and an honest one which is hard to come by.
I don't know if it's really a journey towards finding yourself but to me, it was more a journey towards forgiving yourself for wanting something not everybody would understand. I guess if it's hard to be brave to do the right thing, it's harder to find the courage to choose to do something for your happiness despite the fact it that will make you despicable.
Not everyone will have the courage to break away from something but what struck me the most is her ability to verbalize that she doesn't feel anymore. I mean, can you imagine yourself not feeling anything? From that standpoint, I totally understood her reasons for leaving even if a lot of people would see her as the most evil wife in history. I guess I would have to compare it to remodeling a house. In order to make something new and fantastic, you have to break down walls, tear down the order of things.
Through her journey, she was constantly mocked for her choices, for not wanting to be married, for not wanting to have kids, for quitting that easily. And in the end, there was really no amazing discovery or reinvention. All there was, is a woman that finally managed to forgive herself so she can move on.
By no means this movie is a masterpiece but it was a unique voice and a refreshing perspective in an age where most movies are purged with molds for antagonists and protagonists. I just kinda wish they didn't cast Julia Roberts for this. Either they are trying to balance out the unlikable with the likable actress but I think it doesn't work. Diane Lane or Cate Blanchett would have been wonderful in this one.