Vacances à la grecque

For the past week it feels like Greece cannot stop talking about this film! I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to the world premiere in Athens (am Greek-American, grew up in Baltimore, married here, so living in Athens for about five years.) The Premiere was an elegant occasion with a private reception with delicious food. The audience of about 1500 people went crazy for this film. They laughed and laughed and clapped and everyone I talked to said they wanted to see it again. This movie has captured the joy of life in this country I love. But just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you don't have to be Greek to like it. It is such a funny movie and beautiful to look at. All the actors do a great job and Nia and Alexis are very romantic together. When they look at each other, you actually believe they're a couple (I know they're not!!) Just like with the first movie, I know Greeks can laugh at themselves (I was there, I heard them laughing like crazy!! Of course, there are always insecure people in this world but I think those type of people get offended by anything so who cares?) so I am sure the movie will do well here, and also in every country because it is a movie about tourists and traveling and being able to fall in love when you think there isn't a chance for you anymore. All I can say is, once again, Vardalos got it right."

This movie reminded me of If it's Tuesday this must be Belgium. I would say they are similar in quality and subject matter (romance on a tour bus with wacky tourists as comedy relief). The romance was a bit better in Belgium and maybe the movie overall but they are close. Low brow clichéd comedy in both and while Belgium does Western Europe Ruins is set in Greece. The cinematography is better in Ruins so if you like pretty pictures take a trip with Vardalos and company. The movie isn't awful and I would classify it as a pleasant time waster of a summer movie but that is it. It is the type of movie you wait to arrive on DVD, cable or regular TV. Nevertheless the crowd I saw it with at an advance screening clapped at the end so there are some as other user comments attest to that really liked it.

Sorry, Nia. I'm a fan....but this movie falls pretty flat. The comedy writing is contrived and predictable. There were some laugh out loud moments. But they were too few and far between. Most of the characters are cardboard cut-outs. They are unbelievable and obnoxious. And the story? Well, we've seen it a million times before. Richard Dreyfuss is the HIGHLIGHT of this film. It is in scenes with Nia and Dreyfuss that the movie shines. The scene at the beach was so brief but so powerful...Dreyfuss makes the most of those brief moments. The scenery,however,is fantastic! To see the ruins of Greece on the big screen...what a treat. Overall, I felt this movie was trying way too hard to be funny....much like the tour guide in the movie. Wait for it to come out on video.

Early voters are being a little to hard on this feel-good romantic comedy/Greek travel infomercial. Nia Vardolos is a Greek-American expatriate in Greece, overqualified and unhappy with her temporary job as a tour guide. Nia rolls her pretty eyes at the prospect of entertaining a tacky crew of caricatured tourists, which include Richard Dreyfuss as a jokester and Rachel Dratch as an absurd American. Alexis Georgoulis is their hairy driver.

The jokes are pretty hit and miss, with mostly hits after the bus gets rolling a bit. This is a warm, accessible, and engaging film, that will satisfy fans of MBFGW who do not burden the film with too much in the way of expectation.

I was really excited to see this movie after having loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding for so long. I was VERY happy with this movie! If you want to go on vacation, but don't have the money, I would suggest watching this movie! The comedy is great in it, although some of it can be a bit redundant and childish (bus drivers name is Poupi Kakas). Just like any other romantic comedy, it's pretty predictable, but who even cares! All romantic comedies have the same skeletal structure that make us giggle and smile in our seats! This movie seriously had me laughing out loud. You will honestly fall in love with Greece whether or not you've ever been there. Not to mention, you will fall in love with bus driver Poupi (Alexis Georgoulis), who is EXTREMELY hot! Definitely a movie worth renting, watching, and buying! I can't get enough of it! Another great movie from Nia Vardalos.