Even before I saw Eat. Pray. Love. with Julia Roberts this past weekend, I knew I wouldn’t agree with the premise of the movie.
Of course I didn’t see the movie with Julia Roberts. The movie just included Julia Roberts as the main character.
But, being the ever fair and open-minded movie watcher that I am, I thought I’d give it a shot. I made that decision despite reading several reviews that touted the author of the book by the same title as being self-centered, self-indulgent, and selfish. I already knew something of Elizabeth Gilbert’s year-long search for her identity in the countries of Italy, India, and Indonesia. I had also already duly noted the fact that all three of Ms. Gilbert’s chosen destinations begin with the letter “I,” as in “I want to end our marriage; I don’t want to be married any more; I want to travel the world; I want to leave behind my commitments and relationships; and I need to find out who I am.”
If you’re just looking for a good chick flick with some snazzy clothing, beautiful scenery, a love interest or two, and, well, Julia Roberts, then this is the movie for you. Unfortunately you’ll have had about all you can handle of all the above halfway through the movie. That’s right. The movie was somewhere around an two hours and twenty minutes long according to my watch. A little extensive for following one woman around the world while she eats pasta, prays to her guru, and pouts over men. I was ready to call it quits after our visit to India, but I knew we had a stop to make in Indonesia before I could dump my empty popcorn box and head to the ladies’ room.
Still, there was something about Ms. Gilbert’s quest for meaning and identity that resonated with me. Who among us hasn’t awakened in the middle of the night wondering where we misplaced ourselves? Who hasn’t felt that they lost at least a portion of their identity in the building of their marriage and the raising of their children? And who hasn’t looked at their piles of laundry, their busy calendar, the same old food in the refrigerator, and their older model car and wondered if this was all there was to life?
Some may call Ms. Gilbert’s pursuit of fulfillment as self-indulgent and selfish, but I consider it universal. While I normally value and even agree with many of the movie reviews I find on, say, Focus on the Family’s Plugged In Online, I take a different viewpoint than many of my fellow conservative Christians on this one.
For instance, while Plugged In’s reviewer says:
I also believe that our effectiveness in this world hinges, absolutely hinges, on our souls being satisfied, not the other way around. When I have found satisfaction for my hungry soul I have everything (and more) that I need to give to others, serve sacrificially, and love profusely. Until my soul is satisfied I will try to give, try to serve and try to love, only to find frustration and resentment blocking those channels and eventually shutting them, no me, down. And that is why people–Christians and non-Christians alike–end up chasing rainbows in places like Italy, India, Indonesia, Iowa and Indiana. They’re running on empty, for pete’s sake. Indeed they need to eat, pray, and love. Or something akin to that anyhow.
Instead of eating pasta, eat the Bread of Life. Instead of praying to a guru, talk and listen to your Father in heaven. And instead of loving yet another man, fall head over heels in love with Jesus, the lover of your soul. Then you’ll really have something worth writing a book about.
Kay, bravo you hit the proverbial nail on the head and did so with love and strength.
P.S. Yes I read your blog here along with many others. Thanks for being the woman of God you are.
This sums up my thoughts to a tee on the book. I had to stop about half-way through (I was reading it for a book club) and just couldn't keep going… her thoughts on God just offended me too much. But thanks for the review!
You mean I'm not the only one who looks around some days and wonders how in the world I got here? Thanks Kay. I probably won't see this one because I've heard just enough about the book to know that I'd be demanding my money back by the end of the show (not really… I'm non confrontational… I'd probably just talk about wanting my money back to people who don't care).
Good job, Kay…a great review and an even better lesson!
great review and post! I think I will skip the movie though.
Outstanding. I couldn't have said it better myself 🙂
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL, Kay. I love, love, LOVE your final two paragraphs. You have summed up so perfectly what I suspected all along. I may go see the movie, but I know I'll be disappointed. Thanks for this–really!
I read the book and found it lacking (and probably a lot of it made up) and didn't understand why it was a bestseller. I have chosen not to see the movie, despite it being Julia Roberts and the wonderful reviews. Thanks for your insights!
I was just introduced to your blog this morning by Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side. I loved this post and have added your blog to my reader.
This reminded me of something I read ages ago ~ that one of the most dangerous times in a persons life is that first inkling of "I want God in my life." Then the enemy goes to town to make sure that person finds a false god. Sounds like that is what happened here.
Not sure if this movie is an account of her actual life, but if it is, let's join together to pray that she finds the peace she is looking for in the True and Living God.
Thanks for a great review.
Fondly,
Glenda
You summed it up beautifully! I have tried to read the book several times and only get about halfway before putting it down.
We are living in an age where so many people are searching and missing the one true God.
2 Tim 4:3-4
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
Very nice summary. It is true; we all have a God shaped hole in our lives, each one of us. Search as we may, nothing will satisfy, nothing will fill the void except the one and only Living God.
Thank you for your synopsis and for sharing the truth.