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THE LOVE GURU (Running Time: 87 min; Rated: PG-13)

( 2 OUT OF 5 STARS)

Reviewed by Denise Castillón

DISENCHANTED BY “THE LOVE GURU”

Beloved comedian, Mike Myers introduces us to his newest character, Guru Pitka aka “The Love Guru”. THE LOVE GURU mixes part sports drama, part romantic comedy, and a dash of Bollywood to this satirical stew about the distraction of celebrity-hood. If you enjoy lowbrow humor, the clever wordplays and lewd defecation, urination and male genitalia jokes are hilarious. Otherwise, seek elsewhere for enlightening entertainment.

Branded as pop cultures’ second-best guru, Pikta (MIKE MYERS) is desperate to unseat his rival, Deepak Chopra, as the recognized spiritual leader of peace, love and enlightenment. His business manager (JOHN OLIVER) convinces “The Love Guru”, that only a guest spot on the highly-revered national television show, “Oprah”, can put him on the transcendental path towards this divine destiny.

Such an opportunity reveals its self, when Guru Pitka is contacted by Jane Bullard (JESSICA ALBA), owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, for his guidance. Her star player, Darren Roanoke (ROMANY MALCO) has led his team into a losing streak after his wife, Prudence (MEGAN GOOD), who he abandoned, starts dating the L.A. Kings’ legendary goalie, Jacques “Le Coq” Grande (JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE). Once “The Love Guru” reunites Darren and Prudence, thus locking up the Stanley Cup for the cursed Toronto Maple Leafs, a booked TV appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” is assured.

While the talents of the supporting cast, -famed British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili, Ben Kingsley and Troy Verner, are underplayed, Stephen Colbert brilliantly and hysterically portrays a drug-addicted, sex-crazed TV Sports-caster. There are also a number of fun, surprise cameos.

Mike Myers enlisted Graham Gordy to co-write the script and update Myers’ original character, Guru Pitka, for a “younger, hipper” audience. Obviously, they looked to Judd Apatow’s success with THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. There are several similarities between these two films, ranging from the casting of Romany Malco as “the sensitive, but roaming boyfriend” to the musical finale celebrating the consummation of the romantic storyline.

The feature film, THE LOVE GURU, is Marco Schnabel’s directorial debut.

Schnabel was recruited by Mike Myers to direct “The Love Guru”, subsequent to working, under the guidance of Jay Roach, on all three films in the “Austin Powers” franchise.