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Uproarious, Talent-Packed ‘The Love Guru’ a Script of Destiny From Funnyman Mike Myers
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![]() 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.
![]() 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.”
![]() 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.
![]() 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.
![]() 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.
![]() | By ADAM FENDELMAN |
everyone attacking the reviewer needs to grow the hell up
Seriously does it make you feel big and strong to attack one mans “opinion” of a movie? Get a life dudes. Lets all follow the herd and cast stones at the people who dont agree with you. Its sheep like you that cursed Speed Racer without even seeing it (it was frikkin unreal, thats my OPINION) and said Iron Man was the greatest thing ever (boring regurgitated average movie, again my OPINION) Peace
A song about you.
Hey hey, I’m retarded
I like to eat dirt off the ground
I like Mike Myers’ movies
The retard is comin’ to your town.
You are the reason
You are the reason garbage like this is made in the first place. Your reviews suck. You give everything a rave review no matter how lame or poorly made. You hold up Austin Powers like it was the pinacle of film making. The Powers movies were terrible. Instead of being a parody or satire of Bond movies they were a collection of midget and penis jokes.
Something tells me he also
Something tells me he also enjoyed Meet the Spartans, which was really just an abomination that needed to be put to sleep when it was just a notion in the minds of the writers.
what kind of fags sit online
what kind of fags sit online and bitch about stupid movie reviews anyways…get a life!
We're all winners on the Internets!
what kind of fags sit online and bitch about stupid movie reviews anyways…get a life!
I don’t know, but they’re one better than the kind who sit online and bitch about people bitching about stupid movie reviews.
As much as this guy may sound like a shill, it’s impressive how much misdirected hatred he gets. I doubt that he’s bankrolled the project to enable its production, I’m not sure his ability to speak Hebrew makes him a Hollywood insider, and I’m sure you could do a little cursory research before you slam him for his opinions on other films; a glance on RottenTomatoes returns no results for Meet the Spartans from him, so perhaps he didn’t review it. If you’d like, you can find a list and a sampling of his opinions on his RT page.