September 3, 2009
Based on not one, but two true stories, Julie and Julia tells the tale of modern-day receptionist Julie, who decides to write a blog about her mission to cook 524 recipes in 365 days. Cue Julia Childs, the legendary cook who brought French cuisine to America, whose book forms the basis for the young Julie’s inspiration. Essentially, the plot revolves around the ever-approaching deadline that Julie has set for herself, alternately relating Childs’ initial search for a cookery teacher in Paris and, ultimately, a publisher for her life’s work.
Meryl Streep, as Julia Childs, puts in a typically brilliant performance, full of energy and humour. Streep, at 5’6”, manages to raise herself up to become the too-tall Childs (who was 6’2”), complete with the warbling tones and careless abandon the flamboyant cook was famed for (check out Dan Ackroyd’s hilarious parody, nicely included in the film). Stanley Tucci, as Childs’ husband, is equally believable and the pair’s relationship makes for some tender scenes. Amy Adams, reunited with Streep less than a year after Doubt, takes the role of 30 year old Julie. It is more a criticism of the character than the actress’s performance, but the frequent bouts of kitchen-induced breakdowns became somewhat irritating, as did the entirely self-absorbed blog mission. Indeed, her husband Eric (played by Chris Messina) elicited far more sympathy for his saintly tolerance of Julie’s narcissistic attempt to “finish something just once in [her] life”.
Those familiar with writer/director Nora Ephron’s other work will be unsurprised that this film is aesthetically flawless (you will undoubtedly leave the cinema feeling hungry) and also hopelessly romantic (Ephron wrote and directed the Hanks/Ryan vehicles Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail). Streep’s performance is worth seeing (as is Jane Lynch’s short turn as Childs’ sister, Dorothy) – indeed, an award nomination may be in order. Yet the proof is in the eating and, while the film certainly looks good enough to eat, the lack of sympathy one might feel for Julie ultimately leaves a somewhat bitter taste.
Meryl Streep, as Julia Childs, puts in a typically brilliant performance, full of energy and humour. Streep, at 5’6”, manages to raise herself up to become the too-tall Childs (who was 6’2”), complete with the warbling tones and careless abandon the flamboyant cook was famed for (check out Dan Ackroyd’s hilarious parody, nicely included in the film). Stanley Tucci, as Childs’ husband, is equally believable and the pair’s relationship makes for some tender scenes. Amy Adams, reunited with Streep less than a year after Doubt, takes the role of 30 year old Julie. It is more a criticism of the character than the actress’s performance, but the frequent bouts of kitchen-induced breakdowns became somewhat irritating, as did the entirely self-absorbed blog mission. Indeed, her husband Eric (played by Chris Messina) elicited far more sympathy for his saintly tolerance of Julie’s narcissistic attempt to “finish something just once in [her] life”.
Those familiar with writer/director Nora Ephron’s other work will be unsurprised that this film is aesthetically flawless (you will undoubtedly leave the cinema feeling hungry) and also hopelessly romantic (Ephron wrote and directed the Hanks/Ryan vehicles Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail). Streep’s performance is worth seeing (as is Jane Lynch’s short turn as Childs’ sister, Dorothy) – indeed, an award nomination may be in order. Yet the proof is in the eating and, while the film certainly looks good enough to eat, the lack of sympathy one might feel for Julie ultimately leaves a somewhat bitter taste.