My Life in Ruins

Nia Vardolos. Photo / Supplied

Rating:

**

Verdict:

A semi-funny reminder why you should never travel on group tours.

My Life in Ruins is a romantic comedy staring Nia Vardalos, of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame, once again finding inspiration in her Hellenic ancestry.

She plays Georgia, an unemployed American history professor with Greek ancestry who has resorted to working as a tour guide in Athens. Vardalos struggles to settle into her role but it's not just her fault this film doesn't work - she's the most plausible person in it. The problem is she's surrounded by stereotypical characters and almost all are frustratingly overacted.

The most unpopular guide in the history of Pangloss Tours, Georgia always lands the worst bus, the grottiest hotels and most annoying tourists. When her boss offers fellow guide Nico (Alistair McGowan) a better deal if he can make Georgia quit, it looks like he'll easily succeed.

Basically, Georgia's a bit uptight, and has lost her kefi (or mojo), but then it's easy to sympathise with her. She spends her days dealing with a family of stuffy Brits, loud Americans and a couple of cringe-inducing, beer-swigging Aussies.

One of her clients, widower Irv (Richard Dreyfuss), takes pity on Georgia and gives her tips on dealing with the tour group and with her seemingly mute and hirsute bus driver Procopi "Poupi" Kakas (Alexis Georgoulis). Dreyfuss offers a genuine moment or two, but otherwise it's all rather unconvincing, including the romantic chemistry between Georgia and Poupi.

Plenty of postcard scenery, but all this achieves is a kind reminder about why not to go on group bus tours.

Francesca Rudkin

Cast:

Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss

Director:

Donald Petrie

Running time:

93 mins

Rating:

PG (Adult themes)