Mix 1 seasoned television cook, 1 modern day writer, 524 recipes, 365 days, and the world of blogging to produce The Julie/Julia Project.
The Plot of Julie & Julia
Julie Powell (Amy Adams) has just moved to Queens with her "saint" of a husband and their cat. A Texas-born alumnae of Amherst College, Julie has begun to give up on her desire of becoming a writer until her editor husband Eric (Chris Messina) suggests that she start to write a blog.
Julie soon decides that she will challenge herself to cook each of the 524 recipes in the infamous Julia Child's cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
The movie continues by moving between scenes from the lives of Julia Child, played by Meryl Streep, and the year in the life of Julie Powell as she works on her cooking challenge.
Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
Meryl Streep succeeds in interesting even a non-fan of either the actress or the cook she portrays in the life and personality of Julia Child, and the scenes about the famous American chef are often more interesting then the scenes about the modern day blogger chef of Julie Powell.
Amy Adams gives a good performance, but her character at times seems slightly insane. As the project proceeds Julie seems to become almost too involved in it, suffering breakdowns and beginning to talk to her recipe book.
Of course, the audience can understand and forgive Julie's odd behavior because she is under pressure to succeed in her project, but it is nonetheless uncomforting.
Two True Stories, Two Different Times Periods
Based on two true stories about two different women, perhaps the most interesting thing about the movie is watching the difference between the women's lives.
Although Julia Child experiences more obvious upsets such as being childless and watching her beloved husband face legal trouble, it is the modern female Julie Powell, who seems to emotionally suffer more greatly.
Up to a point, the movie succeeds in reflecting that this difference is due the change in the pace of life.
Nora Ephron and Bringing True Stories to the Screen
Nora Ephron, who herself had a portion of her life adapted to the screen in a 1986 film starring Meryl Streep, scripted and directed Julie & Julia.
The movie used several sources including the autobiography of Julia Child, My Life in France, and the book written by Julie Powell about her experiences.
Julia Child and Julie & Julia
Although Child is well known in the United States as a chef and television personality, she is not as widely known in other countries, which handicaps the movie abroad.
Reviewing Julie & Julia
All things considered, this is an enjoyable movie, with several high quality aspects.
It is well scripts and acted, and the story moves and developes well.
Julie & Julia may even be worth watching twice in order to catch all the details of it, but it is unlikely to be the sort of film to wacth again and again.
 |
