Don’t Go Hungry to Julie and Julia

If you’re in the mood for a deep, thought-provoking, cinematic tour-de-force, keep going. You haven’t found it here in Julie and Julia. If you’re looking for a sweet, whimsical, good time wrapped in a motivational message, then head to your movie theater now for this Nora Ephron flick.

Is it the kind of film given largely away in the previews? Well, yes. But it’s not like there are suprise twists and turns to the plot. Instead, this movie is just an indulgence into our will to be thoroughly entertained, to laugh, smile, and overall escape the world inside that theater. The movie is two hours of pretty. Enjoyable from start to finish. Meryl Streep was just brilliant as Julia Child. Period. As if we expected anything less from her. You will want to watch hours and hours of her as Child. It would be okay by me if her Julia Child was a character in every single movie, no matter the genre - in fact, I think that would be an improvement. She is just a delightful human being, someone you wish you had in your life, a literal ray of sunshine - who only becomes more human and lovable when she reveals her few sadnesses in brief moments of weakness. Stanley Tucci is admirable as her husband, Paul. Admirable sounds like a strange, and perhaps lacking adjective for an actor in a film. But on the contrary, you look up to his Paul. Not that you will see this if you’re a man, but if your wife or girlfriend makes you sit through it on DVD or something, take note at this model husband. Just as I’m sure all women were taking note, too. Always loving, always putting Julia first, and yet never, ever being passive.

Modern day couple Julie and Eric Powell, played by Amy Adams and Chris Messina, are the parallel to the Childs, only Julie struggles a bit more to be that ray of sunshine - she is not. It’s said that in real life Julie Powell is a bit of a bitch. One movie flaw: they say Julie’s a bitch in the movie, as if to throw reality a bone, but Adams doesn’t play bitch. She’s still almost perfect, though. Bitch, no. But, moody, difficult, and narcisisstic? Yup. Simultaneously vulnerable, adorable, lovable, and relatable? Yup. And Eric is the modern day Paul. The saint with limits that protect his dignity.

All in all, this was a fun ride and a nearly fascinating look at two real life women who, cheesy as it sounds, had a dream and made it happen. There was nothing fantastical or unrealistic about how they reached success, because it was all true. It’s comforting to see that you can make your goals happen. And it’s even better to watch Meryl Streep and Amy Adams do it before your eyes. One word of warning: this movie is largely about cooking. The food looks AMAZING. Be prepared to quit your job the day after seeing this movie to take up cooking. Or, at least, you will want to get to a French bistro pronto.

August 13th, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in Reviews | (1)