The First Time- "My Life in Ruins" (2009)

Before I begin, I just wanted to address something. Several people have come to me saying that they do not agree with my last review of "42". That is why I write these reviews. I write them so people can talk about the art that they experience, and yes, sometimes disagree.

Despite what most people think, the purpose of a critic is not to negatively criticize every film they see. The point is to get people to go see movies, develop their own ideas about them, and talk to their friends and family about what they saw. So please! Please comment on my posts! Let's talk about it! I'm all ears!

"My Life in Ruins" (2009)

I was told before forcing myself to watch this film that it was going to stink. It's sad because Nia Vardalos was so wonderful in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002). She was likable, relatable, and exactly whole we all wanted to be. She started out as "frump girl" and transformed into a gorgeous, confident woman with a sexy fiancee who went through hell and high water (her family) to get married to the love of his life.

So if she could do that, why couldn't she make another awesome movie involving Greece and a sexy guy? Because the world is not that kind.

Vardalos's character Georgia was mainly annoying. She spent most of the movie complaining about how awful her life is and how she has a horrible job (as a Greek tour guide) and nothing ever goes her way. Ok, yes, we all have those days, weeks, and sometimes years where nothing seems to be going our way. Life is pelting lemons at our heads and we can't seem to do anything about it. It just burns.

But you can really only take a woman whining and complaining for so long, and this is coming from a woman. In comes Irv, played by Mr. Holland's Opus himself, Richard Dreyfuss (If you haven't seen "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995), DO IT! It's life-changingly awesome!). Irv starts out as your average class clown old man who seems to just want to drag Georgia's tour down to the ground. But frankly, we don't care if he does because at least she stops complaining for a while.

And next but not least, the sexy Greek guy named Poupi (yes it's pronounced like poopy). He is played by the unknown Alexis Georgoulis. Poupi is the mysterious and quiet bus driver substitute who doesn't speak English. Insert more of Georgia's rants about her horrible life. Guess what... he does speak English!!! HA!

The Plot

Georgia wanted to teach Greek history at a university, but she couldn't get hired anywhere so she came to Greece and got a job as a tour guide of the ancient world she is an expert on. Georgia has decided that after this tour, she is going to quit her job. She sleeps in terrible hotels and has people on her tours who don't listen to her or appreciate all of the knowledge she has to offer.

With the help of Irv and the mysterious Poupi, she learns to open up to life and new experiences. She learns to love her job and falls in love with... Poupi, of course. And she doesn't quit her job. But you could have figured that one out.

The Cast

Vardalos doesn't shine as much in this one than she did in "MBFGW". Her character was not a very likable person so I don't think it was entirely her fault.

Dreyfuss was amazing! He totally made this movie for me. There is a moment when he leaves the scene for a while, and all I kept thinking was, when is Irv coming back??!! He is the life of the party and the life of the movie. Too bad they couldn't have just done the whole movie on him.

Caroline Goodall ("The Princess Diaries" (2001), "Hook" (1991)) makes an appearance as a doctor go vacation with her husband and angsty daughter. I have loved her in all of the other films I have seen her in, but she was pretty flat in this one. No life. I blame the writing.

The Message

Stop complaining about your life and open up to new experiences. Life never goes as you plan, so just take it and relax. 

"Well if you call it a job, it ain't fun. I mean, look at porn stars. They get to 'schtup' all day. They should be happy. You never hear about a happy porn star."- Irv aka the Yoda of Life in the 21st century

I can't say the script is bad writing.

Overall

So what's the issue with this movie? I think it was trying to hard to be another MBFGW. And it really wasn't meant to be. Too many characters were floating around and we didn't get to know any of them very well, except for Irv and Georgia, and Irv was more fun to know.

My recommendation, don't spend your money on buying it. A cheap rental or online streaming is fine. If you want some great life lessons from Irv, enjoy.

1 out of 4 Ruined Columns