My Life In Ruins (2009)
Release date: Friday June 5, 2009 Genre: Comedy Running Time: 96 min. Director: Donald Petrie Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Producer(s): Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Nathalie Marciano Screenplay: Mike Reiss Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Rachel Dratch, Harland Williams, Alexis Georgoulis, Sheila Bernette, Ralph Nossek, Maria Adanez, Bernice Stegers
This movie was so uplifting for me. Perhaps because I’m in a place in my life that really does feel just likeGeorgia (Nia Vardalos) in this movie. Anyone who has lost their KEFI (spirit of joy and enthusiasm also known as MOJO) should really watch this film. It’s a simple story of an unfortunate soul stuck between a rock and a hard place. A woman who went back to her roots to live a life in academia so that she may relish in the beauty of Greece and enjoy it as "it should be" enjoyed according to her. What she learns, and what we learn, is that things in life just have to go the way they go sometimes. Take life as it comes and find the beauty in the ruins, in disaster, and in the moment–only then can you be happy.
The audience takes this journey from ruin to ruin and watches as Georgia’s life falls apart. Hence the title My Life in Ruins. On this journey where her life is falling apart she slowly finds her way, her kefi, and love. Love in this film that isn’t just romantic but also carnal in a pure way. How physicality can fix the spirit. Making love and feeling love is important. It is only through connection with others that Georgia can find joy in her own life. It is only through connecting with Poupi ( Alexis Georgoulis) that she feels her worth through the arms of another. I know we are all for self esteem but sometimes allowing others to appreciate us is a step towards feeling good about ourselves. After all, love is acceptance–or so I hear.
Alexis Georgoulis is a Greek actor who could not have made his North American debut in a finer role. He is simply fantastic in this role and has great chemistry with our Canadian pride AKA Nia Vardalos! I really hope that we will see more of him in the years to come as he’s got the right combination of masculinity and talent. Also, any man who gets the line "Your butt is too small" is Aces in my deck…good in my books…longed for in my…keep it PG-13! I may linger on his dark eyes and long hair in this picture but the truth is Alexis brings back to the movies that old school masculinity that women such as myself long for. A man being sensitive as he is rather than as a woman would like him to be. There is a certain allure and mysticism about a strong man whose elegance and sensibility is revealed only when he wishes it. Somehow, this may say more about me than it does about Poupi Kakas or Alexis Georgoulis for that matter, nonetheless, I’m very glad to see an actor bring forth this kind of contemplation. After all, Thespius stepped out of the chorus to make us think didn’t he–perhaps Alexis steps out of what we are accustomed to in popular cinema to do the same in the 21st century. A girl can dream…
Back to reality. The entire cast makes you laugh and smile through out the film. Richard Dreyfuss really is the "spirit guide" of the entire movie. He is the voice of reason, the oracle, and the one who brings them all together in the end. I can’t say that this part could have been better cast. Rachel Dratch and Harland Williams are so cute in this picture making you laugh out loud every time they speak. Also, the actual location is the most prominent and lovable character in this whole film. It is impossible to watch this movie and not immediately plan a trip to Greece. I will admit that after I watched it I started to find tours and rates and began to wonder why the hell I hadn’t planned a trip earlier. The music, the scenery, the language, ad the over all culture presented in each frame was simply enchanting. The first film to get to shoot at the ancient ruins proving that Nia Vardalos is a woman who can deliver along with this incredible group of producers, director, screenwriter, and cast.
With everything else that’s out right now I feel this movie will be unjustly cast in the shadows. But, I do see a huge cult following and a great DVD in the months to come. I highly recommend it, it helped me in my search for my kefi, maybe it will help you too?
I feel that way often in person and sometimes on blogs — that the conversation is so established I would be interrupting. I know exactly what you mean about that.