Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir about her around-the-world journey of self-discovery brought her acclaim, a best seller and a visit to “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” but having Julia Roberts play her on the big screen is a new thrill.
“Who sane would think that they should be played by Julia Roberts?” Elizabeth laughed at the NYC premiere of the film “Eat Pray Love” with Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson on Tuesday night.
Touched that the actress helped bring her story to life, Elizabeth said that Julia brought a real sensitivity to the big screen adaptation of her book.
”[Julia’s] so lovable and she has that ability to connect with the audience and with this book and with this story,” Elizabeth said. “You needed to have an actress who people would care about, that they would want to watch [the] whole unfolding with and she’s that. She’s amazing.”
The author, however, said she relinquishes ownership of the movie version to Julia, who gave it an entirely different life.
“I just have to say. It’s my book. It’s her movie. She completely takes ownership of it and it’s hers,” Elizabeth enthused. “It’s for her that I want the movie to be a success because I feel like she’s taking back the crown of being the greatest and people are going to love it.”
Beyond the thrill of being played by the Hollywood darling, Elizabeth said the whole experience of seeing her book evolve and touch so many people in so many ways, has been enormously wonderful.
”[It’s] like a dream, but it’s also been the whole experience of ‘Eat Pray Love,’ you know,” she said. “It’s been a gift. It’s been a blessing and this is just obviously the icing on the cake. It’s wonderful.”
“Eat Pray Love” opens in theaters on August 13.
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