Post by BIGFANBOY on Jun 5, 2009 5:25:30 GMT -5
MY LIFE IN RUINS
Review by Gary Dean Murray
There is just something about Nia Vardalos. The star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding has a certain spark that really comes across on the big screen. It is that undefined quality that turns mortals into stars. Her latest is another home run and called My Life in Ruins.
Vardalos stars as Georgia, a tour guide in Greece, way too educated for her position. Through a series of bad luck breaks, she lost her university job teaching history and now has the task of babysitting tourists who want to see all of Greece in a few days. On all of her evaluations she is called 'average' because there is no lower score. Since she is not popular, she gets the worst of everything - accommodations, buses, etc. The guests that she shows sights to do not care about seeing ancient relics, but want shopping and sun worshiping.
Early on, she lays out the stereotypical types who make up the trips, from drunk Australians to boorish Americans, middle-aged divorced women who have sworn off men to the joker. The latter is Irv played by Richard Dreyfuss. We get an IHOP corporate guy who lives and breathes syrup. Also on board is the bitter British family trying to connect while seeing the sights.
Georgia decides that she cannot take it anymore, not the tourists nor their lack of respect for Greek culture and history. As Richard Dreyfuss tells her “If you call it a job, it ain't fun.” This will be her final tour. The film is all about this last group she will lead around and her relationship with her bus driver Poupi. Anyone who has ever seen a romantic comedy knows where all of these threads are going to be drawn together.
Nia Vardalos is just absolutely perfect in the role of Georgia. Not only is she breathtakingly attractive in the role, but she doesn't pull any diva stunts. She is not afraid to let her co-stars take a big laugh (or three) and she's also not afraid to make herself look foolish. There is just this warmth that radiates whenever she is on screen that is inviting and special.
Richard Dreyfuss has always been a favorite of mine. This actor can turn any role into something magical and here he gets to do just that. His Irv has a shaman quality. At the Oracle of Delphi, he dispenses wisdom with a sorcery touch. The spark in his eye still works its wonder.
But more than anything is the biggest star of the film - Greece itself. Donald Petrie's camera turns My Life in Ruins into a loving tribute to both the history and the beauty of this cradle of civilization. Yes, we do get some of the details from 2500 years ago, but we also get the charm. This is a solid advertisement for the Greek Tourist Bureau.
My Life in Ruins might be predictable, but who cares. There are so many lovely moments throughout the story that all the faults become a part of the greater whole. Its imperfections are a perfection. If you are looking for something different from the whiz bang, over the top fare that imbues the summer Silver Screens, don't miss this little gem. My Life in Ruins is definitely not ruinous.
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