| Directed by: | Donald Petrie |
| Written by: | Mike Reiss |
| Starring: | Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Georgoulis, Alistair McGowan, Harland Williams, Caroline Goodall |
| Released: | July 16, 2009 |
| Grade: | B |
Ever gone on an overseas holiday with a tour company? If so, did you have a funny, helpful tour guide? Or did you have a dull, boring one? Georgia (Vardalos) falls into the later category. She’s an American stuck working as a guide in Greece. It’s not her dream job and that shows with her level of enthusiasm. She’s constantly annoyed by her fussy customers and their lack of interest in Greek history. All they seem to care about is shopping and ice cream.
Things are about to change however. Her latest tour, which she thinks will be her last, will turn out to be a wild adventure. Central to it all is an elderly man named Irv (Dreyfuss) who gives Georgia some much needed advice. He tells her to lighten up and start appreciating the greatness of life. It gets even better for Georgia when she starts falling in love with her new, young bus driver (Georgoulis).
I didn’t think I’d be a huge fan of this movie but it’s heart-warming and sentimental. Sure it’s corny in places but Nia Vardalos (who we all remember from My Big Fat Greek Wedding) is a likeable heroine. I wanted her to find the happiness that she deserved.
Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland’s Opus, The American President) was my favourite of the large cast. Dreyfuss is a wonderful actor and it’s a shame we don’t see him in more films these days. He and Vardalos share some nice moments together.
Released in the same week as new Harry Potter movie, My Life In Ruins won’t be the most popular flick at the box-office but it’s good to see a decent alternative to those not interested in wizards and muggles.