My Life in Ruins (2009)

A travel guide rediscovers her romantic side on a trip around Greece.

Director:

Donald Petrie

Writer:

Mike Reiss

Stars:

Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Georgoulis

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nia Vardalos	...	Georgia
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Irv
Alexis Georgoulis	...	Poupi
Alistair McGowan	...	Nico
Harland Williams	...	Big Al
Rachel Dratch	...	Kim
Caroline Goodall	...	Dr. Tullen
Ian Ogilvy	...	Mr. Tullen
Sophie Stuckey	...	Caitlin
María Botto	...	Lala
María Adánez	...	Lena
Brian Palermo	...	Marc
Jareb Dauplaise	...	Gator
Simon Gleeson	...	Ken
Natalie O'Donnell	...	Sue

Storyline

Georgia is an American academic who's lost her teaching job in Athens. She's taken a job as a tour guide, but she hates it and it shows: the tourists, mostly American, are bored with history and facts; they want to shop. Every group has a goofy couple, a frat boy, a sullen teen, a feuding couple, divorcées looking for a mate, and a funny guy. This group is no exception, plus there's no air conditioning and a bearded silent driver. Thanks to an unlikely friendship, plus daisies, an ice-cream cone, the history of syrup, and the Oracle at Delphi, Georgia may have a shot at finding her kefi during this four-day tour.

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Plot Keywords:

american | air conditioning | tour guide | syrup | tourist | 

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Taglines:

The Star of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' is Finally Going to Greece.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi vida en ruinas

Filming Locations:

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,223,161 (USA) (5 June 2009)

Gross:

$8,662,318 (USA) (28 August 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

26 Films, Kanzaman

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 98 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Irv's dead wife Elinor is played by Rita Wilson, who is also one of the executive producers, along with her husband Tom Hanks.

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Goofs

There are many scenes where you can see clearly they were filmed in Spain, not in Greece. Most noticeable, the hotel they stay at the night before going to the beach is the HOTEL MIRAMAR ("sea view" in Spanish). Also the phone in the room is Spanish, some of the machines used in a close-by job-site belong to a Spanish rental company.

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Quotes

Georgia: You must think I'm crazy.
Poupi Kakas: Yes.
Georgia: Fair enough. Why would not tell me?
Poupi Kakas: I thought you needed to talk. I have three sisters, so talk.
Georgia: Do you ever question what you're doing with your life?
Poupi Kakas: No.
Georgia: What?
Poupi Kakas: Talk more about the no sex.
Georgia: I'm good. Thanks.
Poupi Kakas: You don't question? Come on. Greece is the land of philosophers.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #8.109 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Den Katalava"
Written by Giannis Hatzisoglou (AEPI), Michalis Avatagelos (AEPI), & Ilias Asvestopoulos (AEPI)
Performed by 2002 Gr (as 2002 GR)
Courtesy of FM Records SA
By Arrangement with RipTide Music, Inc/The Audio Factory GmbH

User Reviews

A great summer escape...

If you want to be happy, go See This Movie. I saw this film at a screening in San Diego and am so happy it is getting released this summer! It's funny, charming and above all, very romantic. It will definitely make you want to visit Greece but if you can't afford to travel, this movie is a great escape for about ten dollars. The scenery is amazing, and this movie made me laugh out loud. This sexy new movie star Alex G is amazing. Nia Vardalos is so perfect for this role. She and Alex G have great chemistry. And, Richard Dreyfuss is sly and sweet and Rachel Dratch is hilarious in anything she does. (little fact: She and Nia V worked at the comedy theater "The Second City", in Chicago together.) I left the theater with a smile, and wished there were more films like this out there. It's a great summer movie and a great date movie and just a fun time."