Critics tear down Nia Vardalos’ new movie, “My Life in Ruins,” at their own peril.
It’s like kicking a puppy to list “Ruins’” flaws, or giving a thumbs down to your kid’s school play.
It’s so gosh-darn earnest and desperate to be loved.
But audiences should know the film’s sundry flaws before thinking they’ve wandered into another “Big Fat” sleeper.
Vardalos stars as Georgia, a Greek tour guide with a lousy job, no romantic prospects and a serious case of missing kefi – that’s mojo for non-Greek readers.
Her latest batch of stereotypes, or rather tourists, includes two obnoxious Americans, two drunken Aussie and some brittle Brits. She also gets a traveler with a horrible sense of humor (Richard Dreyfuss) who simply won’t stay quiet.
Georgia keeps being told she’s not funny, and she says the same to Dreyfuss’ character.
It’s an inauspicous way to start a romantic comedy.
Naturally, the unruly tourists start to win Georgia over, as does the monosyllabic tour bus driver, whose name is the ultimate knee slapper – Poupi Kakas (Alexis Georgoulis).
If that made you laugh, then rush out to see “My Life in Ruins.”
The biggest shock here, beyond the fact that “poopy” jokes are still considered script worthy, is that “Simpsons” scribe Mike Reiss penned this watered-down vehicle. Clearly, Vardalos weighed in on the finished product, too, giving the film a few authentic Greek flourishes with add some much needed texture.
“My Life In Ruins” means as well as Vardalos, a former unknown trying like mad to charm us all over again. But the film feels like a sitcom pilot that could only muster a mid season replacement slot. Georgoulis’ character plays out like a romance novel hero sprung to life, but not nearly as deep or realistic.
Dreyfuss’ character takes on nearly mystical properties, and it’s lucky for “Ruins” to cast someone as grounded and effervescent as the veteran actor to take on such a pivotal role. But he eventually becomes a soothsayer who patches over all the character’s woes, which makes for one lazy scrap of screenwriting.
Yes, the Greek locales are beautiful, but director Donald Petrie (“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”) isn’t the visionary needed to fully exploit their grandeur.
“My Life in Ruins” has Vardalos’ sunny disposition to thank for elevating such thin material, but she – and the movie – are so relentlessly chipper it hurts.
(Photo: Actress Nia Vardalos attempts a big fat comeback with her new romantic comedy “My Life in Ruins.”)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Stereotypes CAN be funny -if well written and handled. Is this the case here?
I’d say no, Kit. The stereotypes end up being endearing characters, but they don’t bring many laughs. In a way, comedy is often based on stereotypes – men love ESPN, women nag their husbands, etc. It’s all in how you cleverly spin the material.
Was bored to death by ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
I found it campy but humorous, and the sheer novelty of a less than gorgeous lead actress intrigued me.
I could have done without the Windex gags, though