I'd not seen this 2010 film until 2023. After viewing it, I understand why I'd never even heard of it! My overall impression is this; What could and should have been a soul searching, enlightening and splendid film was anything but. While there is nothing at all wrong with the cast and their performances in my opinion there is much wrong in the handling of the material and the direction of this film. I do not believe Ryan Murphy was equipped to manage what is such a multi-layered and multi-faceted undertaking. When a person begins to question their life and wishes to discover what is missing or what is making them so unhappy at their very core that they are willing to leave all they know and love behind...it is a very serious and earth shattering experience! This woman was successful in all she undertook...she was not a person whom one might consider to be a "loser" on any level or in any way. People such as this will often go where they need to in order to discover if they can "find themselves" somewhere...anywhere! They must search for the answers to questions that may not be altogether formulated. You know you're terribly unhappy and perhaps unfulfilled but cannot always say why or what is at the root of it! I was thinking of another film in which Tyrone Power took on such a journey...and that film was titled "The Razor's Edge." It was a powerful piece and a great film. The journey of a lifetime requires more information and subtle nuance. It needs attention to feelings, thoughts, discoveries made along the way and the many questions that come with that type of experience. Each detail is part of the journey and each should be given its weight in the telling of it. Mr. Murphy has given us nothing to ponder. He has only given us pause to ask the question; "Why on earth did you make this film in this manner?" As an openly Gay man you should be familiar with much of this territory and yet, somehow, you could not find a way to articulate it and get it across to your audience. You wrote the screenplay and yet, didn't understand one iota of the original premise; "I'm so very unhappy and shouldn't be. Everything seems perfect and yet...I want out of the life I am now living! What am I going to do and how can I change this?" Mr. Murphy had a great cast and I am pleased to be able to render KUDOS to Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis and Richard Jenkins. Mr. Murphy, you had it all right at your fingertips and at your disposal. You blew it...totally!
Review of Eat Pray Love
