• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » WRITE WITH US » Movie Dreams: Will Eat, Pray, Love Be Lost In Translation?

in WRITE WITH US

Movie Dreams: Will Eat, Pray, Love Be Lost In Translation?

Last updated on December 10th, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Eat, Pray, Love Be Lost In Translation

As a budding screenwriter with a screen writing dream I tend to take a critical view of movies. What’s your opinion of movie adaptations? Are you leery of them? A common form of film adaptation is the use of a novel as the base of a film. Have you come across one that you’ve enjoyed more than the book?

As a budding screenwriter, I’m racking my brain to remember one.

Nope. I can’t come up with one.

I see it this way –

In a book, the author paints a canvas using characters, plot, subplots, themes, conflict, etc. from their own imagination allowing the reader to interpret the story the way they envision it.

My theory is that when a book is made into a movie, it’s never the same.

How can it be?

You have the original work thrust into a differently medium by a screenwriter who doesn’t write books (there are always exceptions, of course). By reading a book, you’re told a story with flowing prose and endless description. A screenplay shows you the story on the silver screen, leaving you to “see” and experience it in your own way.

When I go to see one of these I always catch myself saying: “This wasn’t in the book” or “Why did they cut a pivotal part of the book out of the movie?”

My theory will be tested when the heavily touted movie “Eat Pray Love” opens nationwide this week. It’s the movie adaptation of the #1 New York Times Bestseller written by Elizabeth Gilbert. I’ll be seeing this movie on Sunday.

In this memoir, we follow Elizabeth on her mission to overcome her depression and divorce. She embarks on a deeply spiritual journey of self discovery to ponder three aspects of her nature:

  • Pleasure in Italy
  • Devotion in India
  • A balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence in Bali

A wonderful book, brilliant and personal, rich in spiritual insight. ~Anne Lamott

“Eat Pray Love” will be released in 67 countries later on this year.

There is a glimmer of hope: current Man-of-the-Hour Ryan Murphy (writer for the hit series “Glee” and “Nip/Tuck”) and Jennifer Salt (writer/producer of “Nip/Tuck” and writer of “Soap”) are at the helm adapting this book into a movie.

Ms. Salt is in her sixties and still a major force in the Hollywood community. Hallelujah, there’s hope for older women screenwriters – like me! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that their collaboration will be magic and create a movie that truly represents the essence of Elizabeth Gilbert’s tome.

When I park my butt in the seat at the theater, I will:

EAT – Buttered popcorn and a soda

PRAY – this movie adaptation actually works

LOVE – I want to LOVE this movie, I really do!

I’ll report back to you next week with my review from a screenwriters point of view.

Come on Julia Roberts, knock this one out of the park . . .

If you see Eat, Pray, Love this week, I’d love to hear your critique of the movie!

Lights, Camera, Action –

Toni

Toni left 8 Women Dream in November of 2010 to work full-time on her screenplay and Club B.

Related Stories:

  • elisabeth-gilbert-quotes-eat-pray-love
    Advice to Read Eat, Pray, Love for a Dream Life
  • hiking-to-meet-someone-8WD
    Dare to Live Your Funny Version of Eat Pray Love
  • Passion, Plan, Execute: The Business Version of Eat Pray Love
    Passion, Plan, Execute: The Business Version of Eat…
  • Wild and Precious Life
    Let Me Tell You How I Lived an Eat, Pray, Love Journey
Contributor Dream Stories

Enjoy this special 8WomenDream Guest Contributor story submitted by new and experienced big dreamers throughout the world, edited and published to capture a dream perspective from different points of view. Do you have a personal dream story to share with 8WomenDream readers? Click here to learn how to submit dream big articles for consideration.

Note: Articles by Guest Post Contributors may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: WRITE WITH US

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« How To Continue Dreaming Big While Coping with Loss
Your Dream Will Make You The Best In The World »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT