I have to admit, I wasn’t running to the nearest theater to see Eat, Pray, Love — especially since I had written a few articles about the film from a marketing perspective. I didn’t want to buy into the hype.
In fact, I had gotten turned off to the film. I’d see the movie poster with Julia Roberts — gelato cone in hand — and roll my eyes.
But, a friend of mine invited me to see it last week. The prospect of seeing it for free made it much more viable.
I chuckled to myself waiting to sit through two hours and 15 minutes — two hours and 20 minutes with credits, as the theater manager pointed out — of Hollywood at its commercial finest.
You know what? I actually liked it. Really liked it — tepid reviews and all.
I laughed. I cried. I loved that James Franco was in it.
I related to it on a few levels, having spent a good deal of time abroad myself.
At times, I am one of those travelers who tries to avoid places over-run with tourists. But, I have to keep reminding myself it’s popular for a reason. There’s something that draws people to it — much like a Hollywood blockbuster film.
