REELGUYS DVD REVIEW:
My Life in Ruins has its ups and downs but doesn't crumble
Maine connection(new feature): I have never met a Mainer named Poupi Kakas but I sure have met several wood-cutters and fishermen who look like him.
The joy and humor from this little romantic comedy comes from the spot-on truths behind its tourism humor and the likeability of its star Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding"). When the film tries to be too outrageous or diminish the viewer's fondness for Vardalos's tour guide the story starts to crumble like ancient ruins. The tour "My Life in Ruins" takes through the hilly terrain of the Greek islands has its ups and downs but the scenery is so breathtaking, that much can be forgiven.
Vardalos--where has she been hiding since 2002?--is Georgia, a Greek-American professor who loses her job and must become a tour guide to pay the bills. No one knows more about the history of Greece but she can't quite connect with her tour groups. She is on the verge of losing her job to her sleazy, shallow co-worker, Nico, when she is given one last challenging tour group. The movie has fun with the cultural stereotypes for the tourists, including: the annoying redneck Americans, boisterous Australians, oversexed Spanish divorcees, and the funny guy. The funny guy, Irv, is played with appropriate pluck and cantankerousness by Richard Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss manages to develop this character beyond what is expected, putting in a heartwarming though modest performance that may be his best since "Mr. Holland's Opus."
The story requires the viewer not to like Georgia at first. This is a challenging task which requires the director to make the character vacillate between inattentive and obnoxious. The quiet Greek bus driver, Poupi, is more likeable early on in the picture than the actual tour guide. When the film finally allows Georgia to grow and start having fun, the viewer and the rest of the cast perk up. We want to like Vardalos and when she is allowed to be sweet, self-deprecating, and sincere the screen loves her too. Dreyfus and Vardalos are permitted a deeper relationship in "My Life in Ruins" than is often the case between an older male mentor and a younger, female star. He carries the otherwise dry spells of the picture and helps her make the ending memorable.
The love triangle between Georgia, Poupi, and a IHOP businessman is played to just the right amount of ridiculous desperation to work. The potential for something to happen between Georgia and Poupi is believable and works within the confines of the picture. While much of the dialogue is pretty standard, the scenery and performances gives this picture just the right amount of flavor to keep it interesting. While nowhere near as good as "Greek Wedding," "My Life in Ruins" is still thoroughly enjoyable.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content.
