Straight to the point, the book is awesome. I would call it refreshing and somewhat enlightening. The movie...not so much. It drags for most of the 2 1/2 hrs, with bits of "humor" thrown in that barely registered smiles from myself or my boyfriend. There were only a few sporadic chuckles across the packed theater. One reviewer said that the movie provided lessons to learn if one is willing to listen. Well, sure it did, but anyone who's been around the block a time or two has learned these lessons, and I found it somewhat insulting that these were the best lessons the movie could portray for anyone of semi-intelligence...You don't have to love someone else to prove you love yourself, it's ok to not be a size zero, God dwells within yourself, family is a network of people who support and love each other, blah blah blah. I believe the book provides a deeper side that many could better relate to, or find something to relate to. I agree with another reviewer who said to buy a copy of National Geographic along with the book, Eat, Pray, Love, and you'll be well on your way to your own path of enlightenment. =)