Is Eat Pray Love Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by A Maria
Updated Apr 22, 2023
Eat Pray Love
The 2010 biographical romantic drama film, Eat Pray Love, features Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert and is based on Gilbert's memoir of the same name published in 2006. The film was co-written and directed by Ryan Murphy and was released in the United States on August 13, 2010.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, earning $204.6 million worldwide against a budget of $60 million. The movie was filmed in various locations, including New York City in the United States, Rome and Naples in Italy, Delhi and Pataudi in India, and Ubud and Padang-Padang Beach in Bali, Indonesia.
Is Eat Pray Love Based on a True Story?
The movie Eat Pray Love is based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert, whose 2006 biographical book was adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts as Liz. The movie chronicles Liz's year-long journey of spiritual and personal exploration following a difficult divorce.
In the book, Liz was married to Michael Cooper in 1994, but they divorced in 2002 after she fell in love with another man. However, the film portrays her divorce differently, with Liz leaving her husband because she is no longer in love with him. This was a deliberate creative decision by director Ryan Murphy, who wanted to highlight the complexities of relationships where there are no clear right or wrong choices.
The film portrays Liz's ex-husband Stephen (played by Billy Crudup), and her intense relationship with David (played by James Franco) during her divorce. While the book portrays her marriage as turbulent and mentions their unsuccessful attempts to have a child, the film does not delve into these details. Additionally, the film does not mention that Liz secured a book deal before embarking on her year-long journey, which was a significant factor in financing her travels.
Despite receiving criticism for lacking the emotional and spiritual depth of the book, the movie was a financial success. The real Elizabeth Gilbert never disclosed which ashram she visited in India, although it is speculated to be the Gurudev Siddha Peeth at Ganeshpuri in Maharashtra, India. The production team filmed these scenes in Pataudi, Haryana, India.
In the film, Liz falls in love with a Brazilian businessman named Felipe (played by Javier Bardem) during her time in Indonesia. Felipe's character is based on Jose Nunes, whom Gilbert met in Bali. They got married in 2007 but split amicably in mid-2016.
Murphy held Gilbert and her memoir in high regard and worked closely with her during the making of the film. He also incorporated certain aspects not mentioned in the book, such as the scene where Felipe cries when his son goes back to college, which was inspired by Gilbert's personal experience. Overall, the film closely follows the author's memoir and does justice to the vulnerable moments of Gilbert's life.
Eat Pray Love Ending Explained
During her journey, Elizabeth encounters a variety of people who provide valuable lessons that help her grow and evolve. In Italy, she is consumed with guilt over her affair with David and is only able to overcome it by indulging in the pleasures of food. Her Italian friends teach her to embrace the joy of doing nothing and to let go of the past to fully appreciate the present moment.
As Elizabeth delves deeper into Indian culture, she undergoes a spiritual transformation and learns the importance of listening and empathy through her relationship with Richard. By shedding the weight of her expectations, Elizabeth is able to find moments of enlightenment in unexpected places.
In Bali, with Felipe by her side, Elizabeth's journey comes full circle, enabling her to heal and accept herself and her true emotions. Throughout her journey, Elizabeth learns from those who hold a mirror to her mind and reflects on her thoughts. Through the process of letting go, she learns to forgive herself, a challenging task for any person's conscience.
The cast of Eat Pray Love
Julia Roberts
Elizabeth "Liz" Gilbert
Javier Bardem
Felipe
James Franco
David
Richard Jenkins
Richard
Viola Davis
Delia Shiraz
Billy Crudup
Steven
Sophie Thompson
Corella
Mike O'Malley
Andy Shiraz
Christine Hakim
Wayan
Arlene Tur
Armenia
Hadi Subiyanto
Ketut Liyer
Gita Reddy
The Guru
Tuva Novotny
Sofi
Luca Argentero
Giovanni
Rushita Singh
Tulsi
Laksmi De-Neefe Suardana
Dewi De-Neefe Suardana
CAST
CHARACTER
Eat Pray Love Plot
Elizabeth Gilbert is a successful writer living in New York who is going through a rough patch in her marriage to Steven (Billy Crudup) and desires to end the relationship. However, Steven is unwilling to agree to a divorce. While attempting to navigate the separation, Elizabeth becomes involved in a passionate affair with David (James Franco).
Despite her attempts to use the affair to heal, Elizabeth ultimately succumbs to guilt and feels disconnected from reality. After examining the cause of her marriage's failure, Elizabeth realizes that she wants to live life on her own terms without anyone else controlling her. When she confides in her friend and publisher Delia Shiraz (Viola Davis), Delia sees Elizabeth's desire to travel the world as a means of escapism rather than self-discovery.
Despite this, Elizabeth sets out to travel the world, taking Ketut's advice to spend four months each in Italy, India, and Bali. Along the way, she meets a variety of people who help her gain insight into life. Every encounter that Elizabeth has with strangers turns out to be a valuable lesson for her. In Italy, she discovers the pleasures of food and the importance of gratitude.
In India, Elizabeth experiences a spiritual awakening and develops her ability to listen to others. Although she is unable to meet the guru she had hoped to find, Elizabeth remains composed and focused. Finally, in Bali, Elizabeth is forced to re-examine her journey and understand herself. She finds herself caught up in a moment of serendipity that leads her to true love and a newfound balance between pleasure and spirituality.
Eat Pray Love Review
The romantic drama film ‘Eat Pray Love’ directed by Ryan Murphy is based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 book of the same name. The film portrays the story of a woman who realizes her unhappiness and decides to make life-altering choices by stepping out of her comfort zone to embark on a journey of self-discovery around the world.
The title of the film is derived from the three main highlights of her journey, which involve eating in Italy, praying in India, and finding love in Indonesia. Interestingly, the protagonist of both the book and the film is named Elizabeth Gilbert or Liz, which may lead one to wonder whether the story is based on a real person.
About Eat Pray Love
Directed by
Ryan Murphy
Screenplay by
Ryan Murphy
Jennifer Salt
Based on
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Music by
Dario Marianelli
Release date
August 13, 2010
Country
United States
Languages
English
Italian
Portuguese
Indonesian
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Is Eat Pray Love Based on a True Story - FAQs
Eat Pray Love is a 2010 biographical romantic drama film based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir of the same name published in 2006.
Julia Roberts stars in Eat Pray Love as Elizabeth Gilbert.
Eat Pray Love was co-written and directed by Ryan Murphy.
Eat Pray Love was released in the United States on August 13, 2010.
The budget for Eat Pray Love was $60 million.