The Love Guru – a review
July 21st 2008 22:05
You know the premise unless you’ve been on another planet: Mike Myers plays a hairy publicity-hungry spiritual enlightenment expert, Pitka. His story began when he was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child. He was raised by gurus, in particular the uncomfortably-cross-eyed Guru Tugginmypudha (Ben Kingsley) who enjoys pouring tea through his nostrils in a neti pot style. He uses urine-drenched mops to dispense spiky words of wisdom. And yes, you have the say the name out loud to get the joke.
Myers moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality. Ensconced in America, Pitka churns out a steady stream of self-help guides with titles like, ‘I Know You Are, but What Am I?’ and ‘If You're Happy and You Know It, Think Again’. Myers’ specialty is finding self-absorbed, spiritual truths in everyday expressions, for example: ‘Intimacy’ becomes ‘Into Me I See’. He has an acronym for every occasion, complete with cheesy emphatic facial expressions. These narcissistic revelations and acronyms made me snort with laughter.
Pitka’s ‘skills’ are tested when he must settle a rift between hockey player Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) and his estranged wife (Meagan Good). Out of revenge, Roanoke’s wife starts dating L.A. Kings star Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake), which ruins Roanoke’s concentration making him play poorly. Pitka’s delicate task is to return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old ‘Bullard Curse’ and win the Stanley Cup. If Pitka succeeds, this will help him become more well-known and hopefully end up on Oprah’s famous bum-eroded sofa.
The film has an abundance of famous yet almost unnecessary names. Timberlake is a flamboyant, heavily-accented comic actor. Alba is Pitka's love interest giggles who titters and twitters inanely at his flat jokes. Her laughter is so badly timed that it appears to have been cut in after the fact. Again, Alba shows she's a visually appealing counterpart with limited acting skills.
Before seeing the film, we have an idea of which tools of his trade Myers will use: the usual farty toilet jokes, penis references, double entrendres, but this time involving elephants, midgets and the odd colourful, hand-gesturing Bollywood sequence.
Many aspects of the reviews are right; the film is a mish-mash, the scenes are messy and often seemingly unlinked. There are only a few funny jokes underneath the heavy blanket of obvious, overused jokes. Yet, despite these major flaws, I guffawed more than expected. The humour is visual and verbal, and playfully silly. The appealing thing about Mike Myers and the comedy he writes is that it's amiable. Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I found it hard not to appreciate some of his hardy and infectious efforts. The film was just too good-natured to incur my long-term wrath.
Many thanks to Paramount Pictures for my invite and ticket.
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Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
I love Mike Myers and his faultless comic timing but I have heard very bad reviews about this movie - in particular, the plot and the flat acting from the rest of the cast.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
They stole that 'intimacy' thing from SATC!
Mich
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thank-you for the compliment. I know what you mean about the reviews, I haven't read many good ones which surprises me...it's not a brilliant film, but it's definitely not the worst either. My husband and I had a good laugh (at times).
Thanks!!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
They stole that from SATC?!! What kind of a fan am I if I didn’t notice!! Preposterous!!
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I might get around to seeing this, depending on how often I go to the movies in the next few weeks. The premise doesn't appeal to me to me much, but I haven't seen anything of this genre for a while so it can't infuriate me too much. And then there's Jessica Alba to drool over, a nice bonus.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think it's definitely suited to a silly, frivolous mood or else the antics could drive you nutty. I don't tend to see that many comedies at the cinema so I think that added to my enjoyment.
I agree, Jessica is pleasing on the eye...not so pleasing in her performance though!!
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Wayne F
Bucket Movies
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I've only seen one of the Austin Powers films, so I guess that made it seem less predictable. But I know what you mean about the jokes, they were definitely well used...
Glad you had a few chuckles though...
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Lol.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
This has to be the nicest review I've read on this movie.
I like Mike Myers so was a little disappointed to hear the bad rap this movie had been getting.
From what I've seen though, it's the same old jokes.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I know what you mean, there aren't that many favourable reviews out there.
It does have many of the same old jokes done with a cheesy smile, elephant essence and Bollywood flair, but it gave me a few snorts and smiles which I enjoyed.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Hope you are well.
I have to be the only person alive who isn`t an Austin Powers fan! It`s not my kind of humour to be honest.
I thought this movie would be ok though, but I was really disappointed by it. Nup, not converted I`m afraid!
Ash
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
You're not the only one, I didn't laugh once during the Austin Powers movie I saw (I think it was 'The Spy Who Shagged Me')!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The only Mike Meyers film that made me laugh was So I Married an Axe Murderer. Though Wayne's world had its moments it his work on SNL that I love.
I'm with postmodewrn, I hated Austin Powers, unfunny and obvious.
The Love Guru looks really lame from the trailers, but maybe your review will make it worth a DVD screening. I actually ahd a preview pass but didn't use it.
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Hiya friend! I really enjoyed this movie and I wanted to hate it so much but I (like you) laughed my way through it! Great review as usual. Hope you are well!
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for popping over.
This isn't a film that appeals to all and you're not alone in your thoughts!
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You and Ash seem to have your thoughts in unison!
Thanks for popping over,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm not particularly a MIke Myers fan, I thought Austin Powers was OK, but nothing as brilliant as others seemed to think.
It surprised me I snorted through parts of the film...
I think it's weekly DVD choice...
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm well thanks, hope you are too.
I'm happy to have your company in liking this film!
Thanks for coming over,
Byee