apple_pathways: Whatever floats your boat! (Good books)
apple_pathways ([personal profile] apple_pathways) wrote2010-09-04 12:23 am
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry
Entry tags:

Eat, Pray, Yadda yadda yadda

I went and saw Eat, Pray, Love today. I can sum the entire movie up with one giant eyeroll.

I went to see it knowing I would hate it. My friend, whom I do love and respect, has read both of the books and wanted to see it. I am going to take her word for it that the book is better than the movie. She's going through a bit of a stressful time right now, and dating a new guy, and something about this woman's view on relationships chimes with her.

I'm not going to rant about everything I disliked about the movie; I'll just compose a short list:

  • cultural appropriation
  • spoiled, whiny white people
  • modern "spirituality"
  • soul-searching that results in the conclusion: "Gee, it really is all about me!"
  • Julia Roberts
  • self-serving philosophy
  • lack of perspective
  • "Rich, pretty people have problems, too!"
  • "Everybody loves what's-her-name!" (Honestly, I can't remember the character's name...)
  • lack of sacrifice
  • no real character growth
  • TWO AND A FUCKING HALF HOURS LONG! I mean, really? REALLY?


Then we had sushi and udon for dinner. Hooray!
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[identity profile] tourdefierce.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
Didn't you also enjoy how everywhere she went, every "growth" she had in herself was contributed by A MAN?

WTF.

[identity profile] apple-pathways.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
NOTED. Also, the premise set up in the beginning is that she's never been alone, she's always been in a relationship, she loses herself in her partner, blah blah blah and then what do you know? She ends up in yet another obsessive, all-consuming relationship with a man that is no different from the "bad" relationship she's in at the beginning of the film. How's that for "growth"?

UGH

[identity profile] vivitchi.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
I had reservations about this film myself. I don't much like Julia Roberts (not necessarily her acting, just her, I can't explain why I prefer some actors and not others xD), and now you've just made up my mind. Thanks bb. <3

[identity profile] apple-pathways.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
(not necessarily her acting, just her, I can't explain why I prefer some actors and not others xD),

I'm the same way! I develop irrational prejudices against certain actors and actresses that I'm unable to explain. Kiera Knightley is at the top of that list.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend this film. Even my friend who enjoyed the books agreed that the film was poorly made.

[identity profile] rachel2205.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Just the name of the film makes it sound full of dickery.

[identity profile] apple-pathways.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
An astute, and completely correct, observation!

This is also what I thought when I first saw the book sitting on my neighbor's bedside table a couple years ago. Of course, she's part of the book's prime demographic: white, upper middle class, mid-30s divorced woman. (She's also totally cool, don't get me wrong! But yeah, taste in books? Not so much...)

[identity profile] rachel2205.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah... Then again, I'm fairly sure I'm living a whole BUNCH of cliches. Such as, for instance, wasting a perfectly pleasant afternoon in Paris writing a nerdy meta post on [livejournal.com profile] sherlockbbc. Me and my internet addiction. BUT I did dance to Whigfield at a lesbian bar last night so I think I don't have to feel TOO guilty.

[identity profile] apple-pathways.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm knitting a bonnet and getting ready to go to a baby shower. I am all kinds of interesting today!

[identity profile] rachel2205.livejournal.com 2010-09-04 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG I have to tell you this - I was on the metro today and there was this cute guy on there. Late 20s, kind of 50s styling going on with side parted hair and Joe 90 glasses. Hipster, obviously, but cute. And then I saw what book he was reading.

Yep. Eat, Pray, Love.

Not really that cute after that.

[identity profile] apple-pathways.livejournal.com 2010-09-05 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
*shudders* Dear God, it's infecting the hipsters! TRUST NO ONE! No one is safe!

I was hanging out with old high school friends today, and two of them were talking about how much they liked the book. I know I haven't read it, and I am TRYING not to be a judgmental bitch, but...COME ON! Just...argh!

(Ok, I'm just gonna continue making frustrated noises now...you may continue about your business...)
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only