Eat Pray Love (PG-13, 2010)

common sense media says

Find-your-bliss film appeals but raises questions, too.


parents & educators say
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this romantic drama based on the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert examines what happens when a woman walks away from the life (and husband) she knows to travel the world in search of meaning, balance, and joy. That’s fairly heavy material for tweens, which is part of why this movie is more age-appropriate for teens and adults, who will be better able to appreciate the movie's life lessons. Expect some discussions about sex, celibacy, and relationships; a few glimpses of a naked male butt; and some swearing (including "s--t" and one "motherf---er") and drinking (including one scene in which a character gets quite drunk).

Positive messages: The movie suggests that when you find yourself living a life that turns out to not be what you wanted or dreamed of, it’s time to reboot, even if that means a complete overhaul. Yes, feelings will get hurt, and the pain may last for months or even years. But the risk is worth it, the movie says, to find happiness.
Positive role models: Liz is lost in the beginning of the movie. She doesn’t like the life she has, and she doesn’t know how to get the one she wants. She opts to take big risks to seek wisdom and joy, which is admirable. But there are casualties in her search for enlightenment.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Couples kiss tenderly. Lots of flirtation, some references to “sexy time,” and talk about a woman's need to end her self-prescribed celibacy. In one scene, a man strips down and asks the main character to go skinny dipping -- viewers see his bare backside a couple of times.
Language: Words used include "s--t," "screw," "ass," “goddamn," "hell," "damn," "oh my God," and “bulls--," plus one “motherf---er.”
Consumerism: Not many labels, but the book and the movie have encouraged many Eat Pray Love-inspired product tie-ins
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some social drinking at parties, bars, and restaurants. A woman gets drunk at a a party and suffers a huge hangover the morning after. Some references in casual conversation to Xanax and meth.

More on Eat Pray Love

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's messages. Who do you think it's trying to reach? What is it saying to that audience?
  • Liz finds her bliss through a complete change in scenery, literally and figuratively. How realistic is this option for most people? What do you think would have happened if she hadn't been able to escape?
  • What eventually persuades Liz to leave her husband? Is her struggle relatable? Believable?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Writer Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) suddenly finds herself feeling trapped in a marriage she doesn't want, in a life she didn't envision. Despite the fact that she chose to fashion that very life, now she wants out -- and that realization will destroy her husband (Billy Crudup) and worry her friends. A love affair with a young actor (James Franco) isn't the answer, and neither is disappearing into her sorrows. So she decides to go to Italy, where she hopes to rediscover her passion for food, and, perhaps, life; to India, where she seeks spiritual connection; and to Bali, where she may finally forgive herself. It's there that she meets a Brazilian man (Javier Bardem) who just might convince her that love is worth the risk.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

All hail Julia Roberts: As Elizabeth Gilbert’s avatar in this cinematic adaptation of the bestselling memoir Eat Pray Love, she's luminous and beautiful -- her faint wrinkles assure us that she hasn't been Botoxed or plastic-surgeried to death -- and every bit the likable America's sweetheart she's known to be. With her in the starring role, a supporting cast filled with the likes of Bardem, Franco, Crudup, Viola Davis, and Richard Jenkins, and an inspired-by-real-life story set against some of the most photogenic locales in the world, how can it go wrong?

On one level, it doesn't. The film is convincingly stirring, and it hits all of the emotional notes that movies like these are supposed to hit. It's dreamy, it makes you think, and it even makes you cry. But poetic and unforgettable it's not. Some moments have been fashioned with heavy hands; you can feel the filmmakers pushing you to Feel Something. The film skates over why Liz can't abide the life she leads and the wreckage she leaves behind. And it incites the same debate that the book itself did: Is this chronicling a so-called self-indulgent journey that only the affluent can embark upon? Is it superficial? Or is it transformative? And does that matter when the film is, yes, entertaining?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Billy Crudup, Javier Bardem, Julia Roberts
Genre: Drama
Run time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release: August 13, 2010
DVD release: November 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity
Watch our review

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 67% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say they noticed product placement
  • 33% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Inspiring, life changing experience.
i loved this movie, i was waiting so curiously to see this movie and finally i did, it was little bit long but i had a great time watching it. Most films avoid themes about self awareness, personal growth, and transformation, settling instead for comedy and drama within accepted religious or community guidelines. This subject matter, however, is tackled head on (if somewhat superficially) in Eat Pray Love, a film by Ryan Murphy based on the best selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert. Written by the director and Jonathan Salt, Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts as Liz Gilbert is an entrancing travelogue, a romantic comedy, and a spiritual adventure all wrapped in one engaging package. Liz is looking for personal growth and enhanced self-awareness as summarized in Werner Erhard's discussion of transformation, "You get to look deep down and find out something profound about yourself", he said. "You come to know yourself, not what you think, not what you feel, but you come to know yourself honestly." The cinematography is excellent. Each of the countries have beautiful spots and the camera work is great as far as showing that beauty. Having had enough of reading mindless negative critiques of this remarkable film, I feel it is time someone put the record straight. We know Julia Roberts well enough to know that she would not associate herself with a bad film, she looked stunning, all those close ups meant there was nowhere to hide, and her own character shone through. The photography was brilliant, the attention to detail, the atmospheres of Italy, India and Bali were all brought to life. I had read the book, but I enjoyed the film even more. Anyone who has been unhappy in a marriage and has wished they had the courage to leave it with honesty, knowing it is the right thing for both parties, will relate to this film. In this case there was a satisfyingly good ending, not always so in real life, but I am sure this film will encourage other women to be braver and believe that they can find love again, and if not, at least they will know they do not need a man to find happiness. The two hours were well spent, I did not notice the time pass, take no notice of the sad critics who really missed the beauty of it all. This movie has one of the best performances this year Julia Roberts is extremely Good as Liz Gilbert perhaps she was born to play this role, she gives one of the best performance of her life superb Billy Crudup took me by surprise, he did an excellent job in those few scnes he was in, seriously outstanding. Excellent performance by Javier Bardem and ofcourse Richard jenkins. Some scenes really took me by surprise: 1. Julia in her first scene, praying for the first time, chilling and marvellous performance. 2. Billy Crudup in the elevator leaving while hiding his tears. 3. Richard talking about his life while crying 4. Javier saying good bye to his 19 year old son in a deeply emotional way. and many other scenes ofcourse. every character and performance in this movie is superb. An inspiring movie, a life changing experience, one of my favorite now. superb, excellent, lovely movie.

matty8
parent of 17 year old
 
This is a wonderful movie for adults, maybe kids 16 or older soon to be out on their own. It shows them real life situations.
The dialog was excellent and the filming was great. I've been to Italy so it was nice to see some scenes. No the food was not great, but bland. Stick to Italian/Amercian food. It was right on to what women feel every day. Wish my husband saw this....I held back the tears it was so accurate. Good job Julia Roberts & writer.

Kaihfewuory327ybch
teen, 17 years old
 
Strange, LONG movie with annoying main character
I found Julia Robert's character extremely annoying in this movie! She was so whiny and ungrateful. !!!SPOILER!!!: First she divorces the husband for no reason and then goes out with James Franco's character and then leaves him and then gets together with a weird brazillian guy who runs her off the road. I cried when she left James Franco - Who DOES that? !!!END OF SPOILER!!! Haha- no this movie wasn't that good but the countries were beautiful

Chinagirl123
teen, 13 years old
 
A history Movie not a Love story very boring
It was a pretty stupid BORING movie. I like history so i liked learning about the different countries. But my whole family watched it and many fell ASLEEP! You see the bare backside of a man MANY times and he asks a women to go skinny dipping with him.There is really no suspense no plot no conflict. Really its just like a movie about research. My mom thought she would love it and abosolutly hated it. If you like history watch it but if you looking for a love story go get a different movie

jjmmwgdp
parent of and 7 , 11 , 13 year old
 
over 15 for adult themes, a little boring
Julia Roberts and her husband are self-absorbed. So much so they their marriage is in shambles. She dumps him, has an affair and subsequently contemplates her navel through three beautiful countries. The redeeming character is the Brazilian dude that overcomes his fear of commitment and pain, and JR does come around in the end. Maybe my marriage is too good or maybe I'm too secure as a Christian to be able identify with trying to find myself. The locations were beautiful, though.

tweeni
teen, 15 years old
 
Life Changing!!!
This movie may be life changing for viewers around the world. Because of this movie, men and women will realize there marriage's aren't happy ones, and go on a quest to find peace within themselves. Throughout the course of this movie, Liz went to three different spots around the world; Italy (eat), India (pray), and Bali (love). She learns to truly enjoy life and balance it, living it to its fullest. She meets new people and truly opens up and follows her heart. A man wants to skinny dip with her, and his backside shows, but there's nothing really explicit besides kissing. Liz gets drunk and has a bad hangover. My little brother, who's only 9, saw this and didn't have any problems with it... apart from the fact that he was bored out of his mind. Kids over 11 may see this and find the concept fascinating.

ClearastheSea
teen, 16 years old
 
Pretty good
This film is a very well done tale of a woman going out into the world to find herself. She meets many inspirational people along the way, and discovers the meaning of her life within herself and in relation to others. However, there are some questionable scenes and conversations in the movie, and parents should be aware of this when letting their kids watch it.

Totally500
teen, 15 years old
 
A movie with Eat praying and love
This movie has it all, Eat Pray Love. I thought this film was the best and i think everyone should see it

DropOfLuck
teen, 16 years old
 
A thinker movie for a mature audience
This movie is about finding yourself. I saw it with my mom as a "don't have anything to do so might as well see this" type movie. I wouldn't buy it on DVD; just a one-time see. It's just an okay movie. Gives you a lot to think about; more for an older, more mature audience.

xxxGIRxxx
kid, 12 years old
 
BOOOOOOO
I went so see this movie... i hated it. Whatever the main girl characters name is whined too much and was so annoying. The scenary was cool but the movie itself was bad.

theflickchick
teen, 14 years old
 
A review
It was a pretty interesting movie, a little complicated and more for adults, but i think teens who like traveling and learning about different countries would like it

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
read the book first
the book is way better than the movie way better than the movie so read the book and then watch the movie. for real follow my advice. READ THE BOOK FIRST!!!!

TacoBall
teen, 16 years old
 
OK for younger teens, but boring
This looked like a good movie to me, but it turned out to be pretty boring. It's not a "bad" movie with tons of sex and violence, so it's fine for older tweens/younger teens to watch, it's just not all that interesting and you don't really care what happens to the main character. I did like seeing all the different scenery from her world travels, and the fact that James Franco was in the movie, but other than that, I can't say I enjoyed it very much. The ending wasn't even good--it was abrupt and unsatisfying and made the movie feel like it was missing something.

Novalita
kid, 13 years old
 
AMAZING!!!
It was really good and really inspiring!

TVDx10
kid, 11 years old
 
this was a horrible movie. it SUCKS.

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