I don't cook. At all. Heck, I don't even really like eating… unless chocolate is involved. Before seeing Julie & Julia, all I knew about Julia Child was that she was a famous (and tall) chef with a sing-songy voice. I've never caught any reruns of her show — in fact, the only idea I had of what she looked, acted and sounded like came from Dan Aykroyd's impression of her on Saturday Night Live. So it should go without saying at this point that I also never read Julie Powell's blog-turned-book about the year she spent making Child's 524 recipes. All in all, I had low hopes of being able to connect with anything in Julie & Julia. I thought, If this is going to be solely about the love of food and the joy of cooking, my eyes will probably glaze over within the first twenty minutes.
I'm happy to say that my eyes did not glaze over — in fact, I probably felt more of a personal connection to this film than I have to any other this year, believe it or not. And yes, I'm making this statement even though I really don't do much more in the kitchen than toast bread, pour a bowl of cereal or boil water for pasta. Clearly, Julie & Julia is not a movie that only foodies will enjoy; I honestly think it's a movie that anyone and everyone would like. That's because writer and director Nora Ephron, in melding two autobiographies — Powell's "Julie & Julia" and Child's "My Life in France" — chose to weave the women's stories together in a way that highlights their inspirational follow-your-dreams-and-never-give-up! morals rather than the fact that they both were happiest when they pulled a perfect dish out of the oven. Powell went from being unhappy in her thankless job as a call center employee to finding her niche as a writer only after dedicating herself to the challenge of making it through every recipe in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" within 365 days. While Child, thirty-seven years old and bored in Paris during her husband's government assignment in the late '40s, was looking for "something to do" and discovered that she had not only a passion for eating and cooking, but also a knack for instructing "servantless American cooks" how to prepare French meals for their families. After studying at Le Cordon Bleu, she wanted to pour her knowledge into a book, and even though the publishing industry threw setback after setback her way, she never lost sight of her goal. We all know the fame and success she went on to achieve as a result of that determination.
I was moved by this film because I could identify with a lot of the struggles the characters went through as aspiring writers, but I believe anyone who has a dream for themselves — who wants more out of life and is willing to work hard to get it — will find a lot to rally around in Julie & Julia. The way Ephron transitions scenes seamlessly from the forties to post-9/11 New York helps drive home the timeless message that no matter where, who, or how old you are, if you're lucky enough to discover exactly what it is that motivates you, you owe it to yourself to do something about it.
Ephron dealt masterfully with the source material (I have a few friends that read Powell's book and found it fairly insufferable, so if they're right, then Nora did an exceptionally good job with the Julie scenes), but if she had lesser actresses at her disposal, this movie could've been really goofy, or if nothing else, unmemorable. Thankfully she had two of the best actresses in the business on board: Meryl Streep as Julia and Amy Adams as Julie. In the must-see DVD extra, "Secret Ingredients: Creating Julie & Julia," it's noted that the Oscar-winner was not trying to impersonate or mimic the real Julia Child as much as she was trying to portray the vision of Julia that Powell had in her head. But those who did know Julia said that Streep nailed her movements and inflections, and I for one simply can't imagine any other actress in this role. (And in case you were wondering, Julie Powell is also interviewed in the aforementioned bonus feature. If you rent this movie, make sure you watch it.)
Adams and Streep are supported on-screen by their characters' husbands, played by Chris Messina and Stanley Tucci, respectively. While this film is largely about headstrong, determined women, there's something to be said about these men, too, who both lovingly and unselfishly supported their wives' aspirations. (Related sidenote: Powell's new book was just published, and it is about her tumultuous marriage. Spoiler: Hollywood made things seem much better between Julie and her husband than they really were.) My favorite bit player in the film, however, was Jane Lynch as Child's sister Dorothy. At first it was a bit strange to see Lynch play a genuinely happy, carefree woman, since she's better known for sinking her teeth into caustic characters in comedies such as Role Models or the surprise TV hit Glee, but that she could pull off such a 180-turn in this movie as well just proves how awesome she is.
Since I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this film, I hope those of you who didn't see it in theaters will heed my advice now and rent it. And though it truly isn't a movie that's only about food or cooking, you still might be in the mood for some fine dining after the credits roll. So prepare in advance! Make dinner reservations or have a great meal ready to go the night you watch Julie & Julia. You can thank me later. And, of course, Bon Appétit!
Posted on December 9, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I just got this film on DVD on December 8, 2009 and I watched it yestday and on December 9, 2009! This is a feel-good movie, I mean seriously it’s worth the bucks to pay in the theatre and getting it on DVD or Blu-ray and renting it as well.
The beef dish featured in the film sounds so darn yummy, I just want to go in the movie all together and meet the director Nora Ephron including the great actresses Amy Adams & Meryl Streep and also the actors Chris Messina and Stanley Tucci.
There are two scenes that I dislike that I wish the editor of the film cut them out, I can’t be specific but the two scenes are: Saturday Night Live Scene (It’s hilarious but that could’ve replaced a better scene) and Julie’s husband Eric shoves the almond cake in her face and she does the same (That scene was just not necessary).
I loved Julia’s husband and Julie’s husband was kind of a piggy cow throughout the film, it’s about food but all the characters loved food obviously since that’s the plot.
I gave the official website of the film because you can visit the official theatrical site and you can learn more about the film.
I’m glad about having the DVD since I couldn’t wait until the film was released in the first place. All I can say, Bon Appétit!
Posted on December 10, 2009 at 8:40 am
well moviegoer123, I know you’ve been hyped about this movie, and if I add Erika’s approval, sounds like I have a rental for this weekend!
Posted on December 10, 2009 at 11:26 am
I feel this should be THE role that Streep is remembered for. I am also a big fan of Adams. She is different in every role I have seen her in. I was mesmerized when I saw this in the theater – watching two incredible performances!
Posted on December 10, 2009 at 12:50 pm
This is such a great movie. And I’m glad I shelled out the extra bucks to watch it in the theater. I also liked reading your review, Erika, and that an apparently lackluster book was redeemed into a great movie. I will say, though, that it was a bit hard for me to stay focused on reading the rest of your review after reading your first two sentences. I can understand not liking to cook, even though I love to cook. But not liking to eat?!?! This I can’t understand at all! I bet you’re one of those people who says at the end of the day, “I forgot to eat.” ;~)
Posted on December 10, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Well, Kristin…It’s a definitely a great film! I’m not quite hyped up about this film Julie & Julia, it’s my favorite movie (well one of my favortites). This film just makes you hungry every time when you see almost every scene in the movie. Kristen, here’s a fact you might need to know, I was so excited when I knew it was released on DVD, OMG-LOL!
In my opinion Kristen, it’s worth the rental, Ms. Streep does great at her performance, the whole entire film is worth seeing; it’s not stupid.
When I first knew this film was going to be released in theatres (August 7) and when I saw the theatrical trailer, I was hooked until I finally saw the film in the theatre (August 12) and I absolutely fell in love with the film; my mom took my friend and I and most of the people in the theatre clapped after the film, I recall-it was four months ago so I’m not exactly sure.
I love eating, by the way and I enjoy cooking immensly. I’m planning in the future I cook my way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child and Simone Beck since this film inspired me to do the exact thing what Julie Powell did, not quite a blog though.
Erika’s write-up was joyful and I laughed when I read it, I agree with her. I enjoyed Erika’s write-up immensly also, not to mention the film. I love reading these DVD reviews! Thanks Redbox…
Posted on December 10, 2009 at 11:38 pm
My sister in law was visiting from out of town and suggested we go and see it. I was one of the few males in the theater, and expected just a chick flick, but i must admit i enjoyed it. Ms Streep nailed the Julia role and Amy Adams is easy on the eyes. worth a rental.
Scott.
Posted on December 12, 2009 at 7:37 am
It’s worth seeing. Oh yeah it’s a chick flick but the gentlemen would love this film if they enjoy eating and cooking, everyone loves to eat and cook. Ms. Streep and Ms. Adams did great for their performances. I love how the movie is based on two true stories and it’s sorta somewhat educational about Julia Child.
Posted on December 13, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Aaaahhh! I KNEW you would like it, e! I want to buy it and watch it again, but I’m fairly certain Santa will be bringing me this and Up. Guess I’ll just have to go get it from redbox! I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed the film. Meryl Streep was magical. I smell yet another Oscar nod for this one. And I would also love to see Stanley Tucci nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Just amazing. I agree with you on the surprise of Jane Lynch being carefree and fun. GREAT movie. And GREAT write-up, yet again!
Posted on December 13, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Yeah, Mindy it’s a great movie. Oh, don’t worry Christmas is a week and a half away, so maybe Santa willl bring the DVD or Blu-ray to you Mindy because it’s already released, at least no waiting up to get the movie.
I got this film on DVD right away on December 8, when it was served up and then just recently my family just bought another copy of the DVD for a friend who loved the movie so much I had to promise her I would get her own copy so I did and it’s for Christmas. In the store, I saw a gal had the DVD in the cart and my family whom doesn’t know and I just looked but I wasn’t that nosy to that gal, she jus had the DVD of this movie and it was so familar. I think this movie on home video will have a high gross revenue for it.
Great write-up, once again!