2/4  disapointing
I gave this movie a two as I love Nia Vardalos and the concept was good. The execution was not so good. Much of the comedy seemed forced and the tourists were not characters but caricatures. That being said there was a couple of cut/fun... (read full)

2/4  My Life in Ruins Quick Review
a lifeless film. and a waste of good actors

1.5/4  My Life in Ruins Quick Review
Great title. Enticing premise.. Cheesy, predictable, and too reliant on stereotypes for laughs C

4/5 Loved it
  by The Escape Artist (Southwest, US)
I have a degree in Art History, so maybe I'm biased about Greek antiquities and can relate to the life of a tour guide. But really this film was hilarious and really entertaining. Sadly it seems like Nia Vardalos has been 'dismissed' for not coming out with another Big Fat Greek Wedding (even though she still works with many actors from that cast), when really she's got so much more to offer comedically then just a mere sequel. This movie is definitely about finding one's self during circumstances one would rather change. It's about stepping back, letting things happen, and enjoy life as a result; NOT about trying to control what's beyond our control. Stopping to smell the roses, even when they're not there. The actors in the tour group are a laugh out loud riot. And Richard Dreyfuss goes from being a grumpy old man to lovable in the blink of an eye. Great movie, great acting.

2/5 No big fat greek wedding here
  by T. Johnson (Portland, OR)
My Life in Ruins is a mildly watchable romantic comedy, mildly funny and mildly entertaining. The acting is OK. That said, the movie is also somewhat boring and extremely predictable and cliched. Mild spoiler warning: Yes, watch as the shaggy, odd bus driver gradually transforms throughout the movie until he is a sleek, clean shaven, perfectly coiffed, sharply dressed handsome romantic partner by the end. See what I mean by predictable and cliched? Richard Dreyfuss adds a little bit extra to the movie, enough to keep it going, but there are a lot better movies you could spend your precious time watching. This is stricly 2 stars.

1/5 What??
  by Sam
Based on other people's reviews, I rented this movie. I couldn't even finish it. It's that bad.

5/5 Great romantic comedy
  by C. Lavoie (North Conway, NH)
I wasn't sure what to expect when I rented it, but it looked funny from the previews I saw of it. I thought it was a lot better than I expected it to be and it was a great heartfelt comedy. I'm not sure why anyone has anything bad to say about it, it's kind of obvious the storylines and way that romantic comedies go so what do you expect when you buy/rent one. The story itself was sweet and worth seeing if you like Nia Vardalos and her acting style and sweet romantic comedies.

3/5 Entertaining, but probably best as a ...
  by terpfan1980 (Somewhere near Washington DC, United States)
My review title here should read Entertaining, but probably best as a rental (think Unbox). While I can see some viewers enjoying this enough to add it to their collection, and certainly the location shots of the wonder and splendor that is Greece shines through, the story here just doesn't rise to the level of something that would likely be viewed multiple times.

I give the writers credit for not going for the completely contrived and predictable, but then again what is here is barely above that. There's humor in watching Georgia (Nia Vardalos) struggle in her job as a tour guide, but the setup is a bit too convenient. Her tour group, Group B, is a mix of charicatures of various types all of which come together as a perfect mix of personalities that all wind up fitting too neatly with the rest of the group. As the tour moves along Georgia winds up watching her rival tour guide leading his group, group A, in fun activities that makes her own group jealous and distracted.

By the end of the flick, well, let me not give away the ending, even though it's fairly well telegraphed (heck, a blind person could likely see where things are going to go here). Just be cautioned in advance that what you're watching, while cute, sweet, funny and somewhat entertaining, is also headed right where you expect.

Personally I enjoyed the film more than I thought I would, and found several laughs along the way, but again, not enough to inspire me to give this film a buy it recommendation. Err on the side of caution, rent first if possible. Those that have an appreciation for Greek history might enjoy this more, and certainly it's a date night flick that both male and female can enjoy, but multiple viewings seems to be a value that just isn't achieved here.