The Love Guru

The Love Guru takes its name from yet another crazy character created by Mike Myers, the funny-man behind Austin Powers and Shrek. Guru Pitka (Mike Myers) is an American who, as a child, was left on the doorstep of an Indian ashram. Flashforward more than 30 years and His Holiness is the world's #2 spiritual man, inferior to none but child-hood rival Deepak Chopra (real-life contemporary guru). In his eagerness to spread the lurrrve and get on The Opera Show, Guru Pitka hops on a plane. His intention: to restore marital bliss to ice-hockey star, Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco of Weeds fame), who's clearly lost his moves since wifey started dating opposition goalie, Jacques "Le Coq" Grande (Justin Timberlake). Inevitably, not only does the Love Guru succeed - Pitka also embarks on a little love journey of his own, meanwhile discovering new meaning to the words peace and happiness.

The movie is an entertaining watch and will be a hit with fans of the SNL-type humour. Indeed, humour is not the only thing the The Love Guru has in common with SNL; the movie milks its capacity for guest appearances for all its worth. Keep a look out for everybody's favourite scientologist and more. Keep an even bigger look out for Justin Timberlake, who is a scream as movie history's most well-endowed character. Myers himself portrays a very likeable character, and although sometimes grossed-out by the guru's bodily explicitness, we are always assured that his gentle heart is in the right place.

However, there is a sizeable downside: the multitude of acronym-based jokes and crass sayings, while funny at first, can get a little tiring. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Myers and Jessica Alba, who plays Jane Bullard - owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team (yes, Leafs not Leaves) - fizzles about as much as my glass of water. The plot's not very original either. But all said and done, this is an ok comedy to sit down to after one of those long, gruelling days at work - and although I went in with a slightly sceptical attitude, I came out inspired enough to coin my own acronym...almost...

Cast Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Romany Malco, Meagan Good, Verne Troyer Director Marco Schnabel Runtime 88 minutes Opens 29 August

Text Michelle Yeo