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"EAT PRAY LOVE" (2010) (Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Mild Heavy Minor Minor Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None None None Heavy Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Minor Extreme Heavy Minor QUICK TAKE: Drama: A recently divorced woman tries to find herself and happiness while traveling abroad for a year. PLOT: Liz Gilbert (JULIA ROBERTS) is a magazine writer who, after interviewing Ketut (HADI SUBIYANTO), a seventh generation medicine man in Bali, has decided she no longer wants to be married to Stephen (BILLY CRUDUP) and begins the divorce proceedings. While she gets support from her best friend, Delia (VIOLA DAVIS), and her husband, Andy (MIKE O'MALLEY), and has a brief fling with younger stage actor David (JAMES FRANCO), Liz still isn't happy about herself or her life. Accordingly, she sets out on a year-long, around the globe journey of self-rediscovery. She starts in Italy where, with her new friend Sofi (TUVA NOVOTNY), their Italian language tutor, Giovanni (LUCA ARGENTERO), and his friend, Luca Spaghetti (GIUSEPPE GANDINI), she tries to get back her appetite for life starting with her appetite for food. Following four months of that she's off to Calcutta to find her spirituality by living and working in a guru's compound where she meets 17-year-old Tulsi (RUSHITA SINGH) who's dejected about her pending arranged marriage, as well as American Richard (RICHARD JENKINS) who gives Liz something of a hard time along with lots of advice, but is harboring his own struggles with personal demons from his past. That's followed by a return trip to Bali to work for Ketut. There, she not only meets a local physician, Wayan (CHRISTINE HAKIM), with her own past domestic issues, but also the ruggedly handsome Felipe (JAVIER BARDEM), an importer/exporter who finds himself smitten with her. But before she can allow herself to fall in love again, she's determined to find balance and happiness in her life and overcome nagging memories and emotions that stand in her way. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're fans of the source novel or someone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely many kids will be interested in it. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 On appeal for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity (meaning it was originally rated R). CAST AS ROLE MODELS: JULIA ROBERTS plays a magazine reporter who's having some sort of midlife crisis and thus is unhappy with her life and marriage, and sets off to find herself. She uses some profanity, sleeps with various men and drinks, including to the point of intoxication. HADI SUBIYANTO plays a whimsical but wise medicine man in Bali who tries to advise her. BILLY CRUDUP plays Liz's husband who's shocked to learn she wants a divorce and thus doesn't want to go along with that. VIOLA DAVIS plays Liz's friend and new mother who tries to be supportive of Liz's midlife crisis. JAMES FRANCO plays an actor in Liz's play who ends up becoming her younger lover. He uses some profanity. TUVA NOVOTNY plays a Swede in Italy who befriends Liz and goes on an eating tour with her. LUCA ARGENTERO plays their Italian language tutor who becomes Sofi's boyfriend. RICHARD JENKINS plays an American in Calcutta who gives Liz something of a hard time while both live, work and worship under a guru. He uses brief strong profanity, has an unhappy story of past problems and substance abuse, and ultimately tries to help Liz while helping himself. RUSHITA SINGH plays a 17-year-old Indian girl who's unhappy about her pending arranged marriage, thinking it means the end of her life. JAVIER BARDEM plays an importer/exporter living in Bali who falls for Liz but is frustrated that she can't fully commit. CHRISTINE HAKIM plays a local physician in Bali who tends to Liz's leg wound, offers her own advice, and is still dealing with the aftermath of domestic abuse in her past. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this PG-13 rated drama. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, off-screen sex is implied, some making out is viewed, and a man's bare butt is seen several times as he prepares to go skinny-dipping. A brief biking accident results in a bloody leg wound. Various characters drink in various scenes, including some intoxication. Bad attitudes are present, as is tense family material and various thematic elements, while some imitative behavior is also on display. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there are varying amounts of camera movement (bouncy, spin-around, point of view, etc.) on several occasions, while we see point of view footage of a car driving fast through Calcutta. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE People have drinks at a reception. Handed Delia's young child, Stephen holds it at arm's length and then jokingly asks the child if they should grab a beer. Later, Stephen mentions he's a pastry chef, and Delia's husband says that means Stephen is a baker and then asks if he wants to get "baked" (drunk). Liz playfully states to Stephen that she'll have unlimited mini-bar access in their Bali hotel. About Liz wanting out of her marriage, Delia's husband asks why Liz doesn't get drunk and "laid," saying that's what he'd do, but Delia chimes in that he wouldn't. Delia states that when she and her husband had a falling out, he tried running a microbrewery. People drink in a bar, including David, and then later he and Liz have beer. Liz, David, Delia and her husband have wine with a meal. After Delia's husband states that Liz is starting to look like David, just like human owners start to look like their dogs, Liz later tells David that Delia's husband had five beers and was bombed. Delia asks Liz if she needs a Xanax, with Liz replying, "Always." Miscellaneous people have wine. Liz and Giovanni have wine with a meal, with Liz referring to the wine as her "therapist." Later, Giovanni asks about scheduling their next tutor session, adding that they could have another bottle of her therapy. Liz has wine with a meal. Luke explains that Americans feel guilty and are over-stressed since they know entertainment, but not pleasure. He then says they see a commercial about Miller Time and thus buy a 6-pack. Liz and her new friends have wine with a meal, and she orders two more bottles. Liz and others have wine with her Thanksgiving meal in Italy, and everyone raises a toast with that. Later, when everyone is asleep, we see various bottles and glasses of wine around the place. About a sweet soda Liz has tasted, Richard jokes that he thinks it has amphetamines in it, adding, "I can only hope." We see a flashback to Liz and Stephen's wedding where there's champagne at the reception. About his past, Richard says there was too much alcohol, too many drugs, and too much mindless cheating. He then recounts a past event where he went to a bar and got "sh*t-faced," wanting to numb himself, but then drove home that way and nearly drove over his young son playing in the driveway. But he says the boy got out of the way (being used to doing that in general) and that the next morning his wife and that boy were gone. He then adds that he missed his son growing up. Miscellaneous people drink at a bar where Liz orders tequila on the rocks. Felipe then arrives and asks if he can buy her a drink. Liz drinks with a younger man in Bali and is then intoxicated. Felipe ends up driving her home and later returns with a small bag of hangover cure for her. Liz and Felipe have wine. Liz has wine by her. Liz writes to her friends back home that if she were having a birthday party, they'd be buying her bottles of wine. BLOOD/GORE Handed Delia's young child, Stephen holds it at arm's length and then returns the asleep child to her, saying he'd be asleep too if he took a "dump" like the child did (not seen). We see a butcher chopping into a side of meat. A tour guide tells Liz and others to be careful where they step in a tourist spot that's now the bathroom for homeless people (nothing is seen). Distracted by his car radio, Felipe nearly runs over Liz on her bike. She falls off that and off the road, followed by a view of her bloody leg. Later, Liz removes the bandage and we see a mostly healed wound. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Liz informs Stephen that she doesn't want to be married, but never really explains why, thus leaving him mystified and upset. About David's play, a patron yells out "This sucks!" upon exiting the venue. Luke explains that Americans feel guilty and are over-stressed since they know entertainment, but not pleasure. He then jokes about taking a break at noon to "sleep with your wife." A young girl gives "the finger" to Liz. Hearing that Liz isn't married, Giovanni's mom disapprovingly asks if she's a lesbian, with Liz playfully touching her arm after that. Richard makes fun of how much Liz is eating, and then repeatedly refers to her as "Groceries." About his past, Richard says there was too much alcohol, too many drugs, and too much mindless cheating. About Liz, Felipe's adult son asks Felipe if he's slept with Liz yet. He then repeats that when Felipe asks what he said, adding that it's been 10 years (since the divorce) and that it's now time. FRIGHTENING SCENES Distracted by his car radio, Felipe nearly runs over Liz on her bike. She falls off that and off the road, followed by a view of her bloody leg. GUNS/WEAPONS A real estate agent tells Liz he can sell her a place for cheap due to "the bombing" (sometime in the past, not described or seen). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "She thinks I changed my name to m*therf*cker," "That's bullsh*t," "I was sh*t," "Oh sh*t," "Are you sh*tting me?" "Sh*t-faced," "Holy sh*t," "See you later, alligator," "Piece of crap," "This sucks," "Oh my God, baby you are in so much trouble," "A yogi from Yonkers," "You screwed up my life," "You suck," "I suck at faking it," "They hurt like hell," "My Italian sucks," "Suck it," "Screw you," "Screwed up," "How the hell does she do this?" "Oh my God, kill me," "Big ass," "You're so G*ddamn smart," "Do you always talk in bumper sticker?" "Never touch anything but yourself," "Holy God," "I married a hottie," "A damn waste," "Get your butt up here," "Kick my ass," "You are so naked" and "Would tease the crap out of me." Various Italians make hand gestures for terms (seen in subtitles) such as "Suck it," "Screw you" and "Another way to say 'screw you'" (that sounded like a variation of the F-word). A young girl gives "the finger" to Liz. Richard makes fun of how much Liz is eating, and then repeatedly refers to her as "Groceries." A young man removes his pants to go skinny-dipping (we don't see him enter the water). JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 "f" word (used with "mother"), 7 "s" words, 2 slang terms for sex ("laid" and "screw"), 1 for male genitals ("sausage"), 3 asses, 3 variations of crap (1 written as "crappy"), 3 damns, 2 hells, 3 uses of "Oh my God," 2 each of "Jesus" and "Oh God" and 1 use each of "God," "G-damn" and "Holy God." Various Italians make hand gestures for terms (seen in subtitles) such as "Suck it," "Screw you" and "Another way to say 'screw you'" (that sounded like a variation of the F-word). SEX/NUDITY Liz shows some cleavage. We see Liz reading in the bathtub, and her knees are spread, but there's no view under the water and thus no nudity. About Liz wanting out of her marriage, Delia's husband asks why Liz doesn't get drunk and "laid," saying that's what he'd do, but Delia chimes in that he wouldn't. In a play, an actress' character tells David's character that he can have her mind, body and more. David kisses Liz's neck and then they briefly kiss. We see that David has folded Liz's panties (she jokingly calls them her "delicates) in the Laundromat. We see miscellaneous cleavage. We see a miscellaneous couple making out. About a shallow amount of water in a bathtub, Liz's older Italian landlady tells her that everything that's important gets cleaned. That same woman tells her one rule is no guys overnight, adding that all American women want is pasta and sausage (the latter being her metaphor for penis). Liz sees a classic nude statue of a man, but due to the pose and the positioning of the camera, nothing explicit is seen. Liz watches a miscellaneous couple making out, with the guy's hand on that woman's exposed bare belly. Luke explains that Americans feel guilty and are over-stressed since they know entertainment, but not pleasure. He then jokes about taking a break at noon to "sleep with your wife." Liz asks her new friends what the one word for Rome would be, and they all agree that it's "sex." About Sofi being concerned about having gained some weight eating so much with her, Liz asks Sofi about the times she's undressed in front of men - Sofi says it hasn't been many -- and whether any of them have left upon seeing her. She says no, with Liz saying that's because the guys feel like they won the lottery by being in a room with a naked woman. We see some partial panty views (just the top of them) during a montage of Liz and Sofi trying to zip up very tight pants. We see a flashback to David stating that he and Liz hardly have sex anymore. In some text that Liz is typing, we see the term "lose their virginity." Hearing that Liz isn't married, Giovanni's mom asks if she's a lesbian, with Liz playfully touching her arm after that. Richard comments about mosquitoes big enough to stand flat-footed and "screw" a chicken. About Liz nearly drinking from a soda bottle, Richard puts a straw in that and says that the first rule in India is to never touch anything but yourself. We briefly see some shirtless men bathing outdoors in India. Liz shows some cleavage in a wedding dress (in a flashback). About his past, Richard says there was too much alcohol, too many drugs, and too much mindless cheating. We see some shirtless male bathers/swimmers outside. Tending to Liz's leg, Wayan (a woman) comments on Liz's dry knee, saying Liz hasn't had sex in a long time as that lubricates the joints. A woman tells Liz that all have love affairs in Bali, so Liz then dances and drinks with a young man who removes his shirt. They then leave the bar and hit the beach where he removes his pants (to go skinny-dipping) and stands nude in front of her (we see several views of his bare butt, while she sees -- but we don't -- full frontal). She laughs and says, "You're so naked," but then leaves without anything else happening. About a local fruit, Felipe tells Liz it's like an orange made love to a plum. We see Felipe and Liz swimming in a pond/lake, with mostly above water views, but a quick view of her underwater (initially looking like she's nude in the distant shot, but it then appears she really isn't). About Liz, Felipe's adult son asks Felipe if he's slept with Liz yet. He then repeats that when Felipe asks what he said, adding that it's been 10 years (since the divorce) and that it's now time. Liz and Felipe dance into a bedroom and she closes the door (with sex or fooling around implied). The next morning, she lies on top of him on a sofa, kissing him before she leaves (both are clothed). Liz goes to see Wayan with a pain in her side that the doctor says is a bladder infection caused by going from no sex to too much sex. SMOKING A few miscellaneous characters are briefly seen smoking in different scenes. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Liz talks (in voice-over narration) about Cambodian refugees who endured genocide and losing family members. Liz prays to God for help and guidance regarding her unhappiness in her life and marriage. Liz informs Stephen that she doesn't want to be married. Delia states that when she and her husband had a falling out, he tried running a microbrewery. Liz and her female lawyer can't believe that Stephen is representing himself in their divorce proceedings. He tells her that she screwed up his life, that he had no warning about her unhappiness, and that she's simply running away. Liz learns from a phone call from her lawyer that her divorce proceedings are now final. We see a flashback to David stating that he and Liz hardly have sex anymore. Richard mentions his ex-wife thinking he changed his name to "m*therf*cker." About his past, Richard says there was too much alcohol, too many drugs, and too much mindless cheating. He then recounts a past event where he went to a bar and got "sh*t-faced," wanting to numb himself, but then drove home that way and nearly drove over his young son playing in the driveway. But he says the boy got out of the way (being used to doing that in general) and that the next morning his wife and that boy were gone. He then adds that he missed his son growing up. We hear that Felipe is divorced but see he has a close relationship with his adult son. Wayan mentions losing most everything except for her daughter while divorcing her husband over him hitting her on the head with a motorcycle helmet (not seen). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT People who aren't happy in their lives despite seemingly having nothing wrong with them. Liz talks (in voice-over narration) about Cambodian refugees who endured genocide and losing family members. Delia states that having a baby is like getting a face tattoo in that one needs to be fully committed to that. Liz prays to God for help and guidance regarding her unhappiness in her life and marriage. Liz is still upset with her life and states that her appetite for life is gone. The notion of what you do vs. who you are. About Sofi being concerned about having gained some weight eating so much with her, Liz asks Sofi about the times she's undressed in front of men and whether any of them have left upon seeing her. She says no, with Liz saying that's because the guys feel like they won the lottery by being in a room with a naked woman. The comment that ruin is a gift as it's the road to transformation. Meditation. Tulsi states her life is over (due to her pending, arranged marriage). The comment that weddings make people think about themselves (and their own weddings). About his past, Richard says there was too much alcohol, too many drugs, and too much mindless cheating. He then recounts a past event where he went to a bar and got "sh*t-faced," wanting to numb himself, but then drove home that way and nearly drove over his young son playing in the driveway. But he says the boy got out of the way (being used to doing that in general) and that the next morning his wife and that boy were gone. He then adds that he missed his son growing up. The notion of forgiving oneself. The comment that God dwells within you as you. Wayan mentions losing most everything except for her daughter while divorcing her husband over him hitting her on the head with a motorcycle helmet (not seen). The comment that everyone we meet on our life journeys are teachers. VIOLENCE Distracted by his car radio, Felipe nearly runs over Liz on her bike. She falls off that and off the road, followed by a view of her bloody leg. Later, Liz removes the bandage and we see a mostly healed wound. Reviewed August 10, 2010 / Posted August 13, 2010

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