My Life in Ruins is an upcoming romantic comedy film set amongst the ruins of ancient Greece, starring Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Georgoulis, Rachel Dratch, Harland Williams and British comedy actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan. The film is about a tour guide whose life takes a personal detour, while her group gets entangled in comic situations among the ruins with a series of unexpected stops along the way. The film is scheduled to be released May 8, 2009 in the United States.

Plot

Georgia (Nia Vardalos) is a Greek-American tour guide, who leads an assorted group of misfit tourists around Greece. Tourists who would rather buy a T-Shirt than learn about history. In an hysterical clash of personalities and cultures, everything seems to go wrong. Until one day when a very special tourist, Irv Gordon (Richard Dreyfuss), shows her how to have fun and take a good look at the last person she'd ever expect to find love with....Her quiet and sexy Greek bus driver. (Alexis Georgoulis).

Tagline

Falling in love...in all the wrong places.

Cast

• Nia Vardalos as Georgia
• Richard Dreyfuss as Irv Gordon
• Alexis Georgoulis as Poupi
• Rachel Dratch as Kim
• Harland Williams as Big Al
• Caroline Goodall as Mrs. Tullen
• Ian Ogilvy as Mr. Tullen
• Alistair McGowan as Nico

Production

Development

The script is originally by Mike Reiss (The Simpsons, The Simpsons Movie), based on his travel experiences, but was later re-written by Vardalos after she became involved. It is being produced by Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks for Hanks' Playtone Productions and directed by Donald Petrie. Vardalos has stated that the film was a lifelong dream of hers for she had always wanted to do a film in her family's ancestral homeland.

Filming

The film is set on location in Greece and Alicante, in Spain. This will mark the first time that an American film studio will be allowed to film on location at the Acropolis. The Greek government gave the studio its approval after Vardalos sought permission to do several scenes there.

Release

Distribution

The film will be distributed by Fox Searchlight in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, while it will be distributed in all other locations by Echo Bridge Entertainment.

Critical Reception

Early Screening

According to ” Fox Searchlight Pictures President Peter Rice in Fox Searchlight's press release for signing a distribution deal for the film, the film has gained positive feedback in early screenings:

“Given the wildly enthusiastic audience response, we are thrilled to be distributing the film. Nia’s enormous box office appeal along with her gift of perfect comedic timing make for a winning combination. Producers Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Nathalie Marciano, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Peter Safran have proven that films with broad audience appeal can still be made independently.”

References

External links

• Official Website
• Hollywood Entertainment Website
• Official Trailer
• Article from "The Guardian" about The Acropolis being used in the film