Scott Pilgrim vs. Eat Pray Love
This is a big week for movie adaptations, with the release of "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "Eat Pray Love."(Click on either title for the movie trailer; here are Scott Pilgrim movie reviews.)
It's hard to imagine two books -- or movies -- that have more distance between their audiences (or do they?). Scott Pilgrim, a popular series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley, appeals to guys who have spent entirely too much time watching TV and playing video games, are angry about all the jocks who torment them, and are yearning for a relationship. It's set to a frenetic pace, as if the camera crew had been on a diet of Pop-Tarts and Froot Loops.
"Eat, Pray, Love," based on Elizabeth Gilbert's book, is aimed at women who are searching for some larger meaning in life, are angry at all the guys who have tormented them, and are yearning for a worthwhile relationship. The movie is heavy on scenic shots that would fit well in a travelogue. I enjoyed Gilbert's sense of humor in the book, and I hope that element carries over to Julia Roberts' character.
We'll bring you more about the movies, including early reviews, as the week goes on. In the meantime -- even though the movies have common themes of anger and yearning -- I bet lots of couples and families are scheduling their weekends at the cineplex, guys to the left for Scott Pilgrim, women to the right for "Eat Pray Love." Am I going to be the only person to see both?
Comments
I am wary of a movie adaptation of Eat, Pray, Love... really loved the book, but do not want to see it as A Julia Roberts Romantic Comedy. In the same way, I was suspicious of The Time-Travelers Wife and chose not to watch that movie because I thought they might go all Nicholas Sparks-y on it.
Posted by: heather | August 10, 2010 2:42 PM
What about The Expendables???
Posted by: jswo | August 10, 2010 3:32 PM
Actually, strike my last comment for ignorance. For some reason I thought this was about all movies opening this week, not just adaptations. Carry on! :-)
Posted by: jswo | August 10, 2010 3:34 PM
EG loved men a little too much in Eat, Pray, Love - that was her problem. Men are shown in a wonderful light in the book, so I'm not sure where the " are angry at all the guys who have tormented them" comes from . . ? No woman that I know, who is planning on seeing the movie thinks this way. We all look at it as a womens journey to recover from depression and change her life. We are worried about Julia Roberts playing Julia Roberts playing Elizabeth Gilbert though . . .
Posted by: 8 Women Dream | August 11, 2010 5:58 AM
Yes, Dave, I think you are a little off-base in your comments about women's anger. Have you actually read Elizabeth Gilbert's book?
Posted by: Dahlink | August 11, 2010 5:41 PM
Yes, Dahlink and 8 Women, I chose my words poorly. Gilbert was more disappointed, disillusioned and frustrated than angry. As for my post on the book itself, here's the link: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/2008/09/xxxxxxxxxxx.html
Posted by: Dave | August 11, 2010 6:10 PM
Sorry, Dave--I posted without checking the blog for your earlier post with your book review. Mea culpa.
I agree with you that the "pray" segment was the least satisfactory--probably because of the very nature of spirituality, which is hard to describe in words. And while I practice yoga, I can't imagine voluntarily submitting to the full immersion experience she describes.
Posted by: Dahlink | August 11, 2010 7:31 PM
Perhaps the split will be more age-based? All of the die-hard Scott Pilgrim fans I know are teenage and twenty-something girls.
Posted by: Erin | August 11, 2010 10:41 PM