I’m a book kind of girl. I read a lot of books, buy a lot of books, borrow and lend a lot of books. That’s why I always say to myself, once you’ve read the book, DO NOT see the movie. I say it, I mean it, I don’t listen to myself and I regret it. So, in my opinion the title of this movie should be “Eat, Pray, Don’t Love. That’s how I felt after seeing “Eat, Pray, Love” based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert. WHY didn’t I listen to myself? Because I think I know myself better than I really do; and I am usually wrong. So, once again, I am saying visualize on your own, don’t see the movie afterwards, it ruins the images you have.
The movie started with Julia Roberts’ luminous face, all toothy grin and natural beauty. She’s a great actress but a little too showy, too pretty and shiny for this movie. Light softly silhouettes her face, there is beautiful scenery which of course showcases again the light of Julia’s pretty face. She’s beautiful even when she is supposed to be an emotional wreck. I wanted more authenticity instead of Julia Roberts playing Pretty Woman Now Middle-Aged. It was Julia Roberts on Julia Roberts, in just about every scene.
Another thing for us real women; if i had gone to Italy for a month of carbs and conversation I would have gained 30 lbs. and would have worn sweat pants instead of the teeny-tiny jeans she was wearing before and after in the film. If you are going to love your pizza, and your pasta, your wine, bread etc. keep it real. Most women don’t giggle lying down in a fitting room buying only the tiniest of jeans. Yes, we’ve all done the zipper trick at home, on our beds, alone, but most of us would show we have gained weight, which is how real life is. Embrace your body? Not with those size 0 or 2 or 4 jeans, not even close.
The other incredibly annoying thing about the movie, which I found totally inappropriate, was the sound track. As soon as I heard the first song, my mouth was wide open, aghast. I’m sure the songs themselves will be hits but they just didn’t belong to the movie. Did Elizabeth Gilbert hear those songs in her mind? Somehow, I doubt it.
Pretty woman, you’re still pretty, and beautiful but you’re amazingly privileged in the movie. I know a lot of people who go through marital troubles and they don’t get paid a nice salary for taking off time and traveling abroad. I understand the chaos you went through, I ‘m just not buying Julia Roberts feeling it.
Hibernationnow's Blog 
I had no intentions of going to see the movie! As I read a review of the film which referenced the book, my first thought was: this is NOT a Julia Roberts-kinda woman: where is the nervous-wreck? where are the italian “love-handles?;” what lottery did she win to travel around the world? (I’m not familiar with the book, only its title). After reading your review, I have even less intentions to see the movie. (Secret revealed: I’m not a big fan of Julia Roberts, or Julia Roberts movies.)
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It’s so interesting you say this, I’m reading the book right now and wondered how well Julia Roberts would portray the main character. AND I wondered about the weight gain from all the food – would they show that in the movie; I highly doubted it, which makes it much less real.
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