The Daily O’Collegian

In all honesty, I didn’t expect much when going to see this film.

Mike Meyers’ character movies range from the really good (“Wayne’s World”) to the utterly atrocious pieces of crap (“The Cat in the Hat”).

Although “The Love Guru” doesn’t fit either of those extremes, it does provide a good, summertime laugh.

The story (what little there is) centers on the Pitka, an American who traveled to India to be trained by Gurus.

Upon returning to the U.S., he breaks into the self-help business with books and seminars.

A hockey team hires him to help fix the marriage of their star player, Darren Roanoke, and return him to top playing condition.

Meyers’ newest original character, the Guru Pitka, is pretty funny.

Scooting around on a motorized tasseled pillow (think Aladdin), he spreads positive thoughts and the message of love.

Although Meyers brings a sense of familiarity to the character, he doesn’t rest on his laurels by just henna tattooing Austin Powers—The Guru is a fresh, different character.

“The Love Guru” features a wide variety of characters that shine brighter than an Arabian day (cue laughter).

Those worth mentioning include the Maple Leafs’ (that’s not a typo) coach, Punch Cherkov (Verne Troyer), who takes little people jokes like a champ.

The coach hates Pitka’s zany methods and the two bicker throughout the entire film.

It’s hilarious.

Jessica Alba plays the owner of the Leafs, Jane Bullard.

Now, I love her, but she’s forgettable in this one.

Sorry Jess.

My favorite character, and the hands-down scene stealer is Jacques ‘Le Coq’ Grande, brought to life by—wait for it—Justin Timberlake.

He is a French Canadian hockey player and the reason Darren Roanoke’s marriage is in need of fixing.

Obsessed with Celine Dion and adored by women for his… large assets (read his nickname again) every scene with Timberlake’s character is absolutely hilarious.

Too bad there aren’t very many of them.

Also, let me just say how surprised I was that he was my favorite in this movie.

Seriously, this former “Bye Bye Bye”-er has got game.

He’s been in “Black Snake Moan”, “Alpha Dog” and now Mike Meyer’s newest comedy.

I’ve seen his range and I’m thoroughly impressed.

I think that we should all keep an eye on this guy, he’s everywhere.

This is all coming from a not-even-remotely-huge fan of JT.

That alone should be enough for you to forget the curly ‘fro and give the guy a chance.

Despite my shining recount thus far, “The Love Guru” isn’t without its share of problems.

While comedies such as “Juno” are breaking the genre conventions, this film stays well within the confines of its slapstick heritage.

Gross-out scenes and cheap penis jokes abound in “The Love Guru.”

Not all of the humor is back-of-the-class seventh grade stuff, though.

The film uses its self-help theme and pokes fun at that whole industry.

From ridiculous anagrams that are viciously trademarked to the ultimate honor of being on Oprah, “The Love Guru” exploits these traditions and it’s, for the most part, a lot of fun.

Basically, if you’re looking for a good, turn off your brain, eat popcorn and laugh a lot movie; go see “The Love Guru.”

Mike Meyers and his co-stars provide a goofy, yet honest peek into the world of self-help.

However, if you are more the awkward, smart and way more realistic comedy type then Netflix “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” or something of the like.

But before you click, take it from a “Juno”-loving, slapstick-skeptic: “The Love Guru” isn’t bad at all.