Uproarious, Talent-Packed ‘The Love Guru’ a Script of Destiny From Funnyman Mike Myers

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Average: 2.3 (25 votes)
HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Commendably co-written by Mike Myers (who also wrote characters for 2002’s “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and 1999’s “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”), you know lines like “sheket bevakasha” came directly from his bowels.

Granted, I was one of the few at my screening to understand this Hebrew line as “quiet, please” and laugh at its precision placement, but that’s OK.

Though always known as a hippie funnyman, the novel script for “The Love Guru” actually holds personal and grave emotional value for Myers. He has said the film is a “reflection of the spiritual journey” he traveled after the 1991 death of his father.

Jessica Alba as Jane Bullard in the comedy The Love Guru
Jessica Alba as Jane Bullard in the comedy “The Love Guru”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

The Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison died on Nov. 29, 2001, which literally was the final day of filming for 2002’s “Austin Powers in Goldmember”. Upon opening a letter from Harrison, Myers told MTV on April 9, 2008 that he thought to himself: “OK, universe. I think I get it. This is the movie you want me to make.”

Yes, that's actually Justin Timberlake as Jacques Grande in the comedy The Love Guru
Yes, that’s actually Justin Timberlake as Jacques Grande in “The Love Guru”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

While Mike Myers proves he’s more than just Austin Powers through new plotlines taking him to new lands, he’s still the relatively same hilarious, hippie-loving beatnik no matter his purpose for being on screen.

Myers co-wrote this highly original script with rookie screenwriter Graham Gordy whose only other writing credit goes to a little-known film entitled “War Eagle, Arkansas”. Gordy also plays a small role in “The Love Guru,” which shot principal photography in Toronto, Ontario.

While for some “The Love Guru” may feel as though its gags were forced and unworthy as a script of pure hilarity, those same opponents will find themselves either secretly snickering or outright chortling in a seat-bouncing fashion.

So, yes, I’m bucking critical consensus and awarding overall funny credit for originality and guffaws that will deliver for you either clearly or furtively.

Part of me can’t believe I’m writing this, but for the first time, mega pop-singer Justin Timberlake is actually transformative as an actor. I went in vaguely remembering he’s featured in this film and then forgot about this nugget of information only for it to be mentioned again later.

On double take, I attempted asking my mental self which character he played.

Mike Myers stars as Guru Pitka in the comedy The Love Guru
Mike Myers stars as Guru Pitka in the comedy “The Love Guru”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

Having to look him up for a mental image associated with his name, I of course immediately recalled his seminal villain character as Jacques “La Coq” Grande: the hockey goalie trying to steal away the woman who Romany Malco as hockey phenom Darren Roanoke is rightfully married to.

This sets up the plot where Myers as Guru Pitka has a shot at millions in cash, the chance to appear on Chicago’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and ultimately the opportunity to best the world’s No. 1 guru – Deepak Chopra (a real-life Indian medical doctor and writer) – and launch himself forward from the No. 2 slot.

Jessica Alba (center) as Jane Bullard in the comedy The Love Guru
Jessica Alba (center) as Jane Bullard in the comedy “The Love Guru”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

Guru Pitka – who enjoys speaking into a prehistoric, voice-changing machine that hilariously transforms his voice into Morgan Freeman’s – has to love counsel Roanoke back with his wife to spur his confidence. This is all to assist the ailing Toronto Maple Leafs (owned by the fiery siren Jessica Alba) in “breaking their curse” (OK, that’s unoriginally stolen) and winning the Stanley Cup.

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While Alba again burns up the screen every moment she’s on it, her presence in “The Love Guru” is yet again felt as Hollywood eye candy without meaningful acting substance. Cameos by Jessica Simpson, Kanye West and Rob Blake (a Los Angeles Kings hockey player) are used sparingly and appropriately.

Verne Troyer – who is notably known by his dwarfism and stands at 2 feet 8 inches – plays a key role as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, Troyer returns to work with Myers again after playing the ever-memorable role as Mini-Me in “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” in 1999.

Stephen Colbert of the U.S. satirical television show “The Colbert Report” adds another acting credit to his list as Myers’ money-hungry agent and business partner Jay Kell.

The ever-brilliant Ben Kingsley – who played Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1982’s “Gandhi” – wonderfully disappears into the cross-eyed role of Myers’ guru trainer Guru Tugginmypudha.

“The Love Guru” opened everywhere on June 20, 2008.

HollywoodChicago.com editor-in-chief Adam Fendelman

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2008 Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com

Anonymous's picture

“While for some “The

While for some “The Love Guru” may feel as though its gags were forced and unworthy as a script of pure hilarity, those same opponents will find themselves either secretly snickering or outright chortling in a seat-bouncing fashion.”

Ah the old “even if you say you don’t like it you know you do” argument. From what I’ve seen from the trailer, this is nothing but a regurgitation of the same old jokes Myers has been using ad-naseum since Austin Powers.

Anonymous's picture

You just lost all

You just lost all credibility as a human being. Giving this movie anything above 0 stars is a crime against film.

HollywoodChicago.com's picture

Have you seen it?

Quote:
Ah the old “even if you say you don’t like it you know you do” argument. From what I’ve seen from the trailer, this is nothing but a regurgitation of the same old jokes Myers has been using ad-naseum since Austin Powers.

I most certainly respect all opinions — similar or opposite — but shouldn’t people reserve personal judgment about a film until they actually see it?

Quote:
Giving this movie anything above 0 stars is a crime against film.

Most films have at least some redeeming value and deserve to earn a rating of more than 0. This one certainly does. But really: Is it fair to say a film deserves a rating of zero without seeing it with your own eyes?

Blank Frank's picture

Quote:Most films have at

Quote:
Most films have at least some redeeming value and deserve to earn a
rating of more than 0. This one certainly does. But really: Is it fair
to say a film deserves a rating of zero without seeing it with your own eyes?

When the commercials are laden with “ha ha! midgets sure are funny!” gags, I’d say it’s pretty fair.

 

HollywoodChicago.com's picture

To each their own.

Certainly thank you for your opinion, but to each their own. After screening the film, I stand by mine.

IQAboveFifty's picture

Everyone's a Critic

Sure it’s a cliche, but one more than proven true by this ham-handed attempt at a review.

Whether or not the Love Guru is a good movie is beside the point. You should work on making your criticism be more than a series of haphazardly sequenced paragraphs of facts.

And c’mon, the last remaining “hippie funnyman” just left us. As you apparently really like using that word, maybe you could give us 150 words on George Carlin instead.

HollywoodChicago.com's picture

George Carlin just passed away

Quote:
And c’mon, the last remaining “hippie funnyman” just left us. As you apparently really like using that word, maybe you could give us 150 words on George Carlin instead.

Unfortunate timing to mention that. George Carlin just passed away. RIP.

Anonymous's picture

Are you kidding me?

Uh, hello. What did you think it meant when I said “just left us”? Sorry that I was too subtle for you.

Anonymous's picture

Terrible Film

Was it hard to write this review with Mike Meyer’s fully erect penis in your mouth?

Anonymous's picture

Hebrew?

You speak Hebrew! Thank you for letting us all know that. We really came here to hear all about you and not for a review of a piece of garbage Mike Myers retread of every movie that he has done in the last 15 years. Im not saying dick and fart jokes are not funny, especially with 10 year olds, im just saying they were not funny here. After reading your review I saw the film and I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that you are a moron. I thought you Heebs were supposed to know about Hollywood

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