Review: Julie & Julia
Posted August 7, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When I hear the name Julia Child I remember sitting in my Nana’s kitchen as a young boy watching her cook while Julia was on the little 13-inch television in the background. My Nana was a tall, vibrant woman just like Julia and with nine children to feed she was constantly cooking for most of her life. She never once complained about it and just loved making people happy by way of their stomachs. I know my Nana would have loved Julie & Julia as much as I did.
The movie is based on two books: Child’s My Life in France (co-written with Alex Prud’homme) and Julie Powell’s Julie & Julia. Seamlessly jumping between the two stories, we learn how Child got interested in becoming a cook and how Powell’s love for food (and Child herself) inspired her to blog about cooking all 524 recipes from Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Though they’re living in different eras the two women view food with such admiration and joy that it defines both of them and gives them hope.
It’s quite evident Meryl Streep will be nominated for another Oscar for this role. Her portrayal of Child is dead on. She has the voice and mannerisms down so well you forget it’s Streep you’re watching at points. Amy Adams had easier shoes to fill as the blogger Powell. Considering this is her third film this year (Sunshine Cleaning and Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian being the others) she still comes across as a fresh face and has the same spark on-screen as her previous roles.
Stanley Tucci as Julia’s husband Paul and Chris Messina as Julie’s husband Eric both do an excellent job as the men these women love. These guys stick by as their wives push them aside for food. It’s not all bad though as both men eat very well whether they share the same passion for what they’re eating or not.
Julie & Julia really works because of Nora Ephron’s strong script and direction. There is no other person in Hollywood (male or female) who would have done these subjects justice as Ephron has. When the story could have gone in a very different direction (such as the Childs’ longing to have children, which is barely touched on) Ephron brings it back to a fun celebration of these two women. Some critics have put the film down for this but I think it’s what makes it so enjoyable to watch.
Eating, cooking, admiring and talking about food is a huge part of the film. Not only was my mouth watering by the end but I felt inspired to cook. A film that makes me laugh and want to cook is top notch in my books.
Bon appétit!
**** out of 5 stars
Rated PG-13
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Official Site IMDb
