Julia & Julie: The New Food Movie

Last night we went to see Julia & Julie, the new movie about Julia Child’s Classic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Julie Powell is a young woman working unhappily in an office that helps people after 9/11. With her husband’s help, Julie creates a blog that chronicles her goal of making all of the 500 plus recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook in 365 days.

The movie is wonderful on many levels, thanks to Nora Ephron, one of my favorite writers and movie producers. (Remember Heartburn, the story and movie of her own marriage and divorce?)

Actually, Julie & Julia is based on two true stories, both of which are juxtaposed throughout the movie. The first story line is about Julia Childs and her husband Paul Childs. The couple is living in France and Julia takes lessons at The Cordon Bleu. She meets Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck, French cooks who are writing a French cookbook for Americans. Julia Childs input as an American makes it happen.

The other story line is about Julie Powell being unhappy with her life as a would-be writer. She loves to cook and decided to create all of Julia Child’s recipes in one year in a tiny kitchen in a Queens apartment, located above a pizza parlor. And she does and then receives many offers for a book and of course, this movie.

As a “foodie” I loved this movie. Meryl Streep IS Julia Childs and Amy Adams once again captures our hearts with her sincerity and energy. Stanley Tucci is terrific as Julia Child’s husband and staunch supporter, Paul Childs. The scenes in France are lovely and the tender dialogues between Paul and Julia are precious. Even if you are not a food person, the acting in the movie and the story lines are enchanting! Seeing Streep and Adams again in this “lighter” movie is also engaging. (They were both in the movie Doubt.)

If you have not already done so, go see Julie & Julia. It is heartwarming, delightful, and delicious! Thanks, Nora, for bringing Julie Powell’s book/story to the screen and reviving the life and times of Julia Childs, one of my own food role models.

 

 

 

Photo of the “real” Julie Powell in her own kitchen.

 

P.S. If you Google Julie Powell and click on the Julia/Julie Project, you can read Julie’s blog.