A few years ago, I — like millions of other women around the world — read Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love. For those of you unfamiliar with its premise, the author chronicles a year of her life spent traveling around Italy, India and Bali by herself after a painful divorce. (If Oprah hasn't convinced you to check it out yet but you still intend to one day, then stop reading this post now, or else some of what happens to its navel-gazing heroine will be spoiled.)
Way, way back in October 2006, the movie rights were snatched up by Paramount and Julia Roberts was attached to star as the blond, curly-haired, pale-skinned, thirtysomething Gilbert. "Say what?" I thought at the time. Since you all know that I am not a fan of Julia's, it should come as no surprise that I was absolutely dumbfounded and very much displeased by this news. First off, Roberts looks nothing like the author. Secondly, by the time filming begins, she'll be almost full decade older than Gilbert was during her soul-searching trip. Thirdly, well… OK, I don't have another specific gripe except for stating that — all bias aside — I really can't see Roberts in this role. My feeling is that they should've chosen a significantly less famous actress who better fit Liz's description and wouldn't have run the risk of overwhelming the audience with her presence. I mean, the book has been selling like hotcakes for three years — they didn't need the likes of Julia Roberts to woo fans to the theater.
I was slightly heartened to learn that Academy Award® nominated actor Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) had landed the part of "Richard from Texas," the wisecracking ex-drug addict the author befriended at an ashram in India, who was by far my favorite real-life "character" in the book. And now today, two and a half years after the adaptation was first announced, Oscar winner Javier Bardem has been cast as Gilbert's love interest, Felipe. Once more, I scratch my head. From what I recall, Felipe is quite a bit older than Elizabeth (yep, I was right: click here for proof) — whereas Javier and Julia are both in their early 40s. I know that the whole age thing isn't usually that big of a deal in Hollywood and can easily be overcome with a good makeup team, but something about this movie just isn't sitting right with me now that the major players are confirmed.
I know there are lots of Eat, Pray, Love fans out there, so please, share your opinions below in the comments section! Am I crazy for thinking that Julia Roberts is all wrong for the leading role? Who would've better embodied Elizabeth, Richard from Texas and Felipe? Or doesn't it matter, because you intend to see this movie no matter what?
Posted on June 8, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I think the woman that played Libby on “Lost” would have made a great Elizabeth – Cynthia Watros (I just had to go look that up.) I think Julia Roberts is going to have a hard time convincing us that she is sufficiently neurotic.
I pictured Felipe as kind of a mix between Andy Garcia and Hector Elizando.
I pictured Richard from Texas as burlier than Richard Jenkins. I can picture the actor I want but can’t think of what he’s been in.
Posted on June 9, 2009 at 12:49 am
Maybe Amanda Detmer? (I had to look her up, but she was the first actress whose face came to mind.) I think Julia Roberts will be OK, but not my first choice.
Posted on June 9, 2009 at 1:20 am
I don’t think anyone’s going to be surprised to find I have not read the book. (If it had been Eat, Drink, Zombie… maybe…) But hey, Amanda Detmer!!!
Omg, you mean the co-star of Saving Silverman, one of my favorite under-appreciated comedies of the past decade?!?! Who is NOT related to my favorite third-string NFL QB of all time, the lovable hippie Eagle Koy Detmer (brother of the slightly more successful Ty)??!
How in the heck did you pull her name out of wherever you pulled it from? Does she even work anymore? Oops, I’m looking now and see she’s on Private Practice…
Wow, Amanda Detmer… what a pleasant blast from the not-so-distant past… let’s get her in a project as the middle sister between Virginia Madsen and whatshername from Mamma Mia!, Amanda Seyfried…