We waited a long time for this movie to come out on DVD--and it ended up being perfect timing for us to watch it yesterday, on our anniversary!Julie & Julia is two true stories of real women: Julia Child, in 1949, before she was famous, searching for "something to do"; and Julie Powell, in 2002, a young woman without purpose who settled on the project of cooking through Julia Child's 5oo-something recipes in 365 days, and writing a blog about it. (Which became a book and eventually, the movie.)
In both cases, their husbands were their biggest fans, though it required sacrifice on their parts (which reminds me of my own husband, who is the number one fan of this blog and willing for me to neglect other things in order to do it!). It was refreshing to watch a current movie that painted such a positive picture of matrimony. Both marriages were portrayed as fresh, dynamic relationships (not stale and stagnant) with--yes--healthy s*x lives. (These were quick, cute, romantic scenes for the most part, though my teenagers groaned at the thought of Julia Child and her husband in bed--but that was another refreshing aspect of the movie, that it showed romantic attraction in a physically-mismatched, middle-aged couple--not your stock Hollywood image.)
The acting and cinematography were wonderful. Meryl Streep was incredibly perfect as Julia Child--we couldn't think of another actor/actress alive who can so completely lose her own identity in a character. Delightful Amy Adams (the princess from Enchanted) played the younger Julie as a complicated but winsome character, and the two husbands were great in their supporting roles. The 1949 scenes in Paris were a visual treat--every scene had a building, a window, a car that was just a delight to view. And of course, the food scenes made you hungry and curious--how did they eat all that rich food and not gain weight??
I hate cooking. But this movie almost made me want to spend a little more time in the kitchen, and it reminded me how in love I am with my husband. Yes, I recommend it!
Rated PG-13 for strong language (just a couple times) and some sensuality.
Writer/director Nora Ephron also wrote the screenplays for You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally!
5 comments:
I would be so glad if cooking disappeared from my life, and yet this movie inspired me too! Maybe there's a closet cook in me yet : ).
I really liked this movie also. I was excited when I found the original blog site, but disappointed when I realized that "Julie" has a potty mouth. I'm glad they edited her a bit for the movie.
I loved this, too. It was so refreshing to see a movie where marriage was portrayed so positively. Two thumbs up from our house!
I really liked this movie. :)
This was my favourite movie of the year too. I love to cook so it was inspirational! I got Julia Child's French cooking from the library and finally learned how to do a roast chicken so that it's perfectly moist. Perfect timing for Christmas dinner.
A belated Happy Anniversary to you both! Roger and I celebrate 33 years today :)
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