'Julie & Julia' (& Nora)
"Never before has food being cooked and eaten on screen looked so good."
If you're a serious eater, you're going to love Julie & Julia, Nora Ephron's graceful, funny, and generously spirited new movie. Why do I say this?
Not because the back of my head takes a star turn that, according to Nora herself, "has everyone talking" (ha, ha). No, I'm afraid that joy will only be shared by my family and friends who will be the only ones taking note of my hatted head walking behind Amy Adams as she orders beef for her boeuf bourguignon at the Dean & Deluca butcher counter.
I say that you are going to love this film because it's as passionate, discerning, and inclusive when it comes to food and life as Serious Eats. I say that because it is about the food-centric lives of two strong women—food icon Julia Child (played to a turn by the equally iconic Meryl Streep), and writer-cum-food blogger Julie Powell (played by a fetching and appealing Amy Adams)—discovering their bliss and their calling by writing and cooking.
I say that because the movie celebrates the joys and the tensions of marriage, an altogether unusual exposition in any movie. I say that because it celebrates men and women eating, cooking, and the sheer joy people derive from sitting down at meals together in a way that has never been depicted before. Virtually every few minutes another dish and another meal gets a star turn. Never before has food being cooked and eaten on screen looked so good.
Is it autobiographical? Everyone wants to know.
Nora Ephron
In one of the many New York Times pieces about the film, Nora says no. Her pal Mike Nichols begs to differ. So do I.
Nora and I have only had a few meals together, so I can't say I know her intimately or all that well, but it is patently obvious that Nora felt this material in her bones in a way that no other director would have. How so? It's a movie about two strong woman who find their bliss and their calling by cooking and writing.
It's a movie about the enduring power and pleasures of a strong marriage (yes, I know that Julie Powell writes about an affair she had in her about-to-be published book, Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession). It's a movie about the deeply satisfying pleasures of breaking bread, cooking a meal for friends, and just eating and drinking with people you care about.
It's a movie that celebrates perseverance and hard work and real love. Sound familiar, Nora Ephron fans?
As far as I'm concerned the movie should have been called Julie, Julia, & Nora. The studio might have balked, but it's the truth. Go see the movie for yourself. It's the most life and food affirming film I've seen in years. It's got heart, it's got soul, and it's got boeuf bourguignon and Dover sole meunière. What more could you want?
Related
Behind-the-Scenes: The Food in 'Julie and Julia'
'Julie & Julia' Trailer Now Available Online
My Bit Part as an Extra in 'Julie and Julia'
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21 Comments:
I cannot wait to see this movie! Thank you for the review, it's making me even more excited.
cb1414 at 2:32PM on 08/06/09
i have absolutely no desire to see this.
couldn't stand the book--and really can't stand to see meryl streep try to embody the awesomeness that was julia child.
do yourself a favor and just read 'appetite for life'
gastronomeg at 2:53PM on 08/06/09
Hope the movie is better than the book. I wanted to love the book, really I did, but had a hard time making it through. It was all just so self-aware and irritating. Love Julia Child, love Meryl Streep, love Amy Adams so maybe the movie will be redeeming.
leeber at 3:07PM on 08/06/09
It's also based on Child's My Life in France, so if you didn't like Julie Powell's book I wouldn't stress over it. I saw the movie last night - Streep is great in it, and they make Powell less annoying than she is in her book. ;)
anonymoose at 3:26PM on 08/06/09
Can Food Network and everyone else stop shoving this movie in my face? How can you advertise it 24 hrs a day and then not show it in a theater near me? And it's not like I live in a remote place. I live in Philly and it's not playing in a single theater in the city.
wilma at 3:30PM on 08/06/09
It doesn't open until tomorrow, wilma. I'm sure it will be playing on many screens in Philly.
Ed Levine at 3:33PM on 08/06/09
I know it doesnt open until friday, but I checked every theater for friday showings.
wilma at 4:02PM on 08/06/09
@ Wilma: it will be showing at the UA on Columbus Blvd, although I wouldn't really recommend that theater. (One annoyed moviegoer shot someone for talking during a showing on Christmas.) If you have access to a car, it will also be showing in KoP and at my personal favorite, the Hiway in Jenkintown. I could probably provide restaurant reccomendations near all of these locations if you'd like :)
annabanannas at 4:34PM on 08/06/09
I refuse to go see this, Julie Powell is a disgusting human being.
CATERPILLARGIRL at 4:47PM on 08/06/09
So excited for the movie tomorrow! I think it's going to start a revolution; a new interest in food and food blogs from those that didn't necessarily know they were interested before.
Chew on That at 4:47PM on 08/06/09
I saw this movie at a sneak preview almost a month ago and I loved it! The theatre full of foodies was literally gasping and cooing the whole time. I was excited throughout the whole movie (and besides Up, it takes a lot for me to even laugh at movies these days). Powell's book was a fun read and I like Amy Adams, but both pale in comparison to Meryl Streep's portrayal of Julia Child. She is not making fun of Julia at all. She perfectly excudes the excitement and attitude that radiated from the woman herself. And I think Nora knew that most viewers wanted more of Julia, so Amy Adams' scenes are brief.
The food is lovely! Ed's head looks great on the big screen! Go see the movie at your local independently-owned theatre if possible!
LiveToEat at 4:56PM on 08/06/09
Food Network Humor hates it, and resents it being shoved in our faces, too. For those who have no desire to see the movie, there's a funny post about it here: http://foodnetworkhumor.com/2009/08/julie-julia-zzzzzzzzzzzz/
neoknows at 11:09AM on 08/07/09
Geez, it's only a movie, and it's summertime. And if it's okay for Nora that Streep plays Nora in 'Heartburn' I don't see why Nora shouldn't be okay with Streep playing JC in this movie.
jayveejay at 12:58PM on 08/07/09
It was just a nice, happy enjoyable movie. It strikes me from so many of these posts that the negative comments are from people who are determined for whatever reason not to like. I didn't want to get my hopes up about the movie but it was wonderfully made and had the whole audience riveted.
lexophile at 8:01AM on 08/08/09
I was really excited to go watch this movie ... the movie hall was packed! but sadly, the move was quite a disappointment. while the movie's core idea was interesting, it really dragged on for 2 full hours! it was pretty boring, no climax, not all that much humor ... quite a disappointment. If you're a foodie who's eager to watch this movie, would recommend watching it at home or on the internet. It's not worth a movie ticket.
sonianyc at 2:38PM on 08/08/09
re: catepillargirl, did julie powell kill your cat or something?
i am so over the obligatory julie powell hate. "julie powell is so annoying", "julie powell is not worthy of julia child" (she knew that!) comments. every time i read something about the blog/book/movie i like to play a game where i guess how many comments i'll read before i get to the bland powell hate. i'd love a thoughtful critique of julie in lieu of the rude and thoughtless dismissals.
i saw the movie with my kids (tweens) and they loved it. we laughed a lot! and had a great talk after wards about finding something you're passionate about--some people are lucky to have that in their jobs and some people find it other ways. we went home and baked a cake!
justaneater at 6:18PM on 08/08/09
Saw this movie on Friday when it opened here and it was a good movie for foodies of all ages.
Sure, I agree, it was not perfect, but there were some really good moments. Nora did an ok job mergeing the two stories, but Julia's story was the strongest, most watchable and relateable for me.
Perhaps it was the Paris connection.
Julie's story fell a little flat for me...
Julia was natural and totally unpretentious...
Julie was and is just trying way too hard.
That's life...you are who you are...
However, I wish her well.
I have loved Julia since I was a kid and follow her MtAoFC recipes in my own culinary work, so had to see this movie.
I think Meryl was the best choice to portray Julia, and IMHO did a pretty good job without the portrayal being too strange.
See my blog for more on Julia
http://feastingonpixels.blogspot.com/2009/07/drawing-from-julia.html
metrogirl at 2:09AM on 08/10/09
@justaneater - That made me smile. Your family movie day sounds so lovely.
lexophile at 10:40AM on 08/10/09
Just saw the movie last night , and I really enjoyed it. The acting is great ( everyone ), it is just a fun enternaining movie. And, I so want to make boeuf bourguignon this weekend. .
elen55 at 10:45AM on 08/11/09
saw it yesterday and agree that Julia's story is the stronger of the two ... movie has an opening scene in which a trout is de-boned table side in the slickest, most elegant fashion ... and reminds me how much yet there is to learn ... and how much yet there is to eat!
thomy at 1:30PM on 08/11/09
@justaneater: I did not like the book, either, but my tween girls are bugging me to see it. Seems like fun, but is there anything questionable for a 9 yr old to see?
Hungry in Columbus at 12:46PM on 08/12/09