My Life in Ruins (2009)

A disgruntled tour guide in Greece gains an unexpected new outlook on life thanks to one of the people on what she intends to be her last tour.

Director:

Donald Petrie

Writer:

Mike Reiss

Stars:

Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Rachel Dratch

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:

tourist | tour guide | greece | tour bus | greek | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ian Gomez, who appears as the creepy Hotel Clerk, is the real life husband of Nia Vardalos.

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Goofs

When the bus is first leaving at the start of the film, the Australian couple keep changing seats between shots.

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Quotes

Maria: By the way, Spiros eloped with that girl with no foot.
Georgia: [going through the mail] Excellent!
Georgia: Why?
Georgia: I'm being sarcastic.
Maria: You're not funny. Stop trying.
Georgia: Who's my new driver? Not Themio.
Maria: He's in jail. You got the substitute. Procopi.
Georgia: The creepy, hairy, creepy guy?
[behind her, Procopi sips his coffee]
Georgia: He's right behind me, isn't he?

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Noodles
(2008)
Performed by Guy Moon
Written by Guy Moon
Published by Moon People Music (BMI)
Courtesy of Guy Moon

User Reviews

Not her best work

Sorry, Nia. I'm a fan....but this movie falls pretty flat. The comedy writing is contrived and predictable. There were some laugh out loud moments. But they were too few and far between. Most of the characters are cardboard cut-outs. They are unbelievable and obnoxious. And the story? Well, we've seen it a million times before. Richard Dreyfuss is the HIGHLIGHT of this film. It is in scenes with Nia and Dreyfuss that the movie shines. The scene at the beach was so brief but so powerful...Dreyfuss makes the most of those brief moments. The scenery,however,is fantastic! To see the ruins of Greece on the big screen...what a treat. Overall, I felt this movie was trying way too hard to be funny....much like the tour guide in the movie. Wait for it to come out on video.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Spain

Language:

English Greek

Release Date:

5 June 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Life in Ruins

Filming Locations:

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,223,161, 7 June 2009

Gross USA:

$8,665,206

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,458,873

Company Credits

Production Co:

26 Films, Kanzaman

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 98 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1