By Robert Sims, Special to Hollywood.com
|
Thursday, August 14, 2008
3. The Love Guru (1/2 star)
Year of Release: 2008
U.S. Box Office Gross: $31.9 million *
Reported Budget: $62 million
*Through Aug. 10
The Reassessment: Mike Myers’ latest comic creation is just another horny international man of mystery, albeit one cursed to wear a chastity belt. Whereas Austin Powers charmed and disarmed you with his childish fish-out-of-water ways, Hindu motivational master Guru Pitka inspires revulsion. It’s hard to like a charlatan who’s more entertained than concerned by his clients’ suffering. Myers lazily trots out jokes that are older than the Taj Mahal, rehashes his aren’t-dwarfs- amusing? routine with Verne Troyer, and plucks the sitar for several mirthless Bollywood-style musical interludes. By the time Pitka’s free to bed Jessica Alba, you’re confused as to whether Myers is lampooning the self-help industry or lavishing praise on the work done by pal Deepak Chopra. Let’s hope The Love Guru isn’t a sign that Myers has lost his mojo.
* Through July 20.
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures