What is for dinner? That seems to be a constant question in this film. A feast for the eyes, it's hard not to love Julie & Julia from first taste. An inspirational film that will have you loving, laughing, cooking and possibly even blogging again. Indeed, it is sure to put the spark back in anyone's life, rekindling an old passion. Because not only is this movie about food (and what food!) but it's about passion. Because, of course, what else could drive a woman to spend 8 years of her life on a cookbook but passion? The lovely personality of such a passionate woman as Julia Child is embodied perfectly by the always en pointe Meryl Streep. A performance sure to be emulated, worshiped and appreciated for years, Meryl makes this film. Not to be outdone, the enigmatic Stanley Tucci plays the butter to her bread, her life's breath, so absolutely perfectly you learn to love Paul Child as much as Julia did by the end of the film. The screen chemistry of Stanley and Meryl is perfection, and makes the scenes they share an absolute delight.
The scenes set in the past are positively flawless. From the costumes, to the mannerisms of the actors, you feel transported to the forties and you feel sad when you have to leave for the present, post 9/11 New York in 2002. However, the scenes set in the present are almost as perfect, and provide almost as much delight. Amy Adams is a great fit for the character Julie Powell, with a quirkiness and neurotic quality that makes this time travel transportation worthwhile. I have to admit I'd be pretty annoyed if I had to sit through an entire film involving flashbacks, which I usually dislike, and the main characters were exactly the same. While we see Julia almost always composed, Julie is prone to meltdowns when her cake falls and her eggs don't poach. The juxtaposition is orchestrated wonderfully, and you end up loving them both.
The problem I had was Amy Adams' performance. She was great, as I already stated, but for some reason I feel that the performance was not at a level that matched the others. She seemed, at times, half in and half out of her character. However, when Amy is on, she is on, no question.
I also feel that certain plot elements could have been explored a little further. It's clear to a keen observer of the film that Julia Child is somehow unable to have children, as Merryl does a great job of throwing forlorn looks at babies in buggies as they walk down the street, and trying her best to not break down completely when her sister becomes pregnant, however, possibly, those younger viewers would not completely understand this. Also, the ending seemed a bit disappointing. Yes, Julia got her book published, and Julie finished her blog, but there was a plot thread that seemed to run away with the filmmakers. About twenty minutes before the end of the film, Julie is informed by a journalist covering Mrs. Child's 90th birthday that Julia is less than impressed by Julie and her blog. Now, after this devastation, as the whole film was leading up to some confirmation that Julie had done Julia proud, you'd expect a meeting, a phone call, or a letter from Julia herself explaining herself, or stating that it was a misunderstanding and she loved the blog, but no such correspondence occurs. You're left feeling, dare I say it, a little miffed at Julia. The Julia Child should not be submitted to this kind of disdain by viewers. I'm sure this plot device left some viewers leaving the theater with a less than favorable opinion of Julia, since this is based on a true story. I would have appreciated some sort of closure on the plot thread, instead of letting it hang in the air.
You will leave Julie & Julia, hopefully, feeling inspired. Inspired to write, inspired to cook, inspired to eat, or just inspired to love the simple things in life, like duck confit and strawberry Bavarian cream. Embrace Julie & Julia, for both it's flaws and it's perfection, and Bon Apetit!
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