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Driving Aphrodite (2009)
Director: Donald Petrie
Movie review
From Time Out London
The original title of this greasy, overcooked kebab of a film was ‘My Life in Ruins’, which gives a better idea of what you’re in for. Beneath ancient Greece’s breathtaking architecture, miseryguts tour guide Georgia (Nia Vardalos) ushers her moronic charges from clapped-out bus to substandard hotel. She drones on about history – proof, naturally, that she’s not getting laid – while her charges demonstrate that racism in Hollywood didn’t leave with the mammies and Injuns. The Aussies are Foster-quaffing imbeciles, the Americans are argumentative ignoramuses and the English uptight fools. Then there’s Richard Dreyfuss as a cute, wise old guy and Alexis Georgoulis as a hirsute Greek driver called Poupi Kakas. Vardalos has lost a lot of weight since her hit film ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, but she’s still an unconventional beauty. She didn’t write this tosh, but it’s a pity she agreed to star in it rather than coming up with a strong story of her own. Hollywood doesn’t know what to do with difference, any more than it does with ruins. It’s about time Vardalos, or someone, gave the suits a guided tour.Author: Nina Caplan
Time Out London Issue 2041: 1-7 October, 2009
User reviews of this film
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- Kate said...
- Posted on Jan 09 2010 19:53 I enjoyed this movie - it is nothing to right home about but a great nothingniss movie to give you a smile and lift the spirits! There were the poor styreotypes and the plot line was laughable but sometimes you dont want to go to a movie to be moved in a great way - sometimes you go to just smile and escape a little and one can in this movie
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- Melissa said...
- Posted on Dec 17 2009 17:55 This movie was boring and stupid.
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- Melissa said...
- Posted on Dec 17 2009 17:55 This movie was boring and stupid.
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- Jeff Rawlinson said...
- Posted on Oct 07 2009 17:05 This film is better than the critics suggest. Its a bit of light-hearted fun, with a few chuckles. The scenery is great and the heroine attractive, in a different sort of way. Every story about Greece does not have to rival Homer or Virgil.
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Cast & crew
Director: Donald Petrie
Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Georgoulis
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 12A
Duration: 95 mins
UK Release: Oct 2 2009
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