Julie and Julia Movie Review
The story in a nutshell: Julie Powell sets out to cook every recipe in Julia Child’s famed cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking
For starts – my daughter and I agree that Meryl Streep playing Julia Child was fabulous! Julia Child is such a wonderful, joyful person, and her relationship with her devoted husband is so romantic and heartwarming, you should see Julie and Julia if only for that.
In fact, we sort of felt it would have been a better movie if it was called Julia, not Julie and Julia, and the blogger part was left out completely. Julia Child was the real (and only!) draw.
Bear in mind, I did not read the Julie and Julia book. I didn’t read the Julie & Julia blog, either (though I did peek at a few posts, just to see what was what.) This review is only about the movie – not about the real life people portrayed.
So what was so wrong with the blogging part in the movie? Picture lots of scenes of a woman sitting at the computer typing. Ugh. This is cinema!! I want to escape! If I want to watch someone type, I can walk into any office.
Second, the Julie blogger character is not very interesting (as portrayed in the movie.) She has a great husband and an actual job (some don’t in these times), but otherwise has nothing going on in her life. Julie attaches her happiness to Julia Child’s famed recipe book.
Look, I know that’s the point of the movie – that Julie needs Julia in order to be happy. But attaching happiness to anything is usually a recipe for disaster. Plus, blogger Julie comes off as a boring bitch (she even calls herself a bitch in the movie, and her friend agrees). Every time Julie came on screen, we wanted her to leave.
Julia Child, on the other hand, was so full of life. We couldn’t wait to see more of her.
Interesting note: Julia Child in real life felt that Julie Powell’s blog project was disrespectful, perhaps to the cookbook and to all Julia Child had been through. The movie made comparisons between Julie and Julia that I thought were disrespectful, too. (Sort of like Dan Quayle comparing himself to JFK.) Not sure why director Nora Ephron was stretching the comparison. But like I said, the movie could have been just about Julia Child, and we would have been delighted.
Third problem, the blogging wasn’t very realistic. Julie didn’t know how many readers she had (who doesn’t watch their blog stats at least a little?) She didn’t have any personal connection with any of her readers (bloggers tend to form personal relationships in the blogosphere, if only virtual. And if they don’t, it seems sad. BTW – Dad’s House readers ROCK!) She kept referring to her readers as “they” (as in, “they need me to blog!”) A tad narcissistic, don’t you think?
On the bright side – I loved Julia Child’s moxie when she joins an all-male cooking class. I loved the scenes with Julia and her husband – so much romance and love in that marriage. I enjoyed seeing Julia’s perseverance when publishers rejected her book. She knew what she had in her book, she believed in herself, and she kept at it until big things happened. Bravo!
All in all, it was a worthwhile movie to see. And if you get hungry watching all the cooking and eating, feel free to get up for some food… during the blogging scenes!!
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Comment by Heather
| December 30th, 2009
I’ve not seen the movie yet. I don’t know if we will either.. Hubby isn’t much on chick flicks. Gosh I don’t even remember the last movie I saw was, in the theater that is….
Heather´s last blog ..Christmas recap: In a nutshell
Comment by Kat Wilder
| December 30th, 2009
I agree that Julia’s life was more more interesting, and I loved that her husband was such a nice guy. Her sister lived in Marin for a while, and I once stood behind Julia and her husband in the supermarket. She was a big woman!
Kat Wilder´s last blog ..Where not to meet men and other nonsense
Comment by Vinomom
| December 30th, 2009
I thought the movie looked somewhat interesting. A few of my friends enjoyed it. From your review, though, I can tell it’s not exactly what I thought it was. Interesting that Julia Child’s didn’t like the project too.
Vinomom´s last blog ..The Aftermath
Comment by Honey
| December 30th, 2009
I loved this movie, and while I thought that Meryl Streep was the best part (I also love the guy who played her husband), I didn’t mind the blogging bits.
And I have no idea how many readers we have. Lance took down the counter, and I have no idea how to check :-)
Honey´s last blog ..I Think I Have A Sex Sprain
Comment by Zoeyjane
| December 30th, 2009
I read the book about a year ago and it made me want to blog a cookbook; I watched the movie and it killed that want, but made me want to learn how to chop onions really well.
So, I got something out of it.
Zoeyjane´s last blog ..On nodding off
Comment by Momma Sunshine
| December 30th, 2009
I have a bit of a cookbook fetish, so I think I’d like to see the movie….for the Julia Child part, at least.
Great review!
Momma Sunshine´s last blog ..Conversations With My Ex
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
I absolutely loved and ate up every minute of the movie. I adored Meryl as Julia and Tucci as her doting and supportive hubby. And no matter what Amy Adams is in, I fall in love with her. Definitely the movie did a good job of focusing on Julia’s life more than Julie’s, showing that Julie’s paled by comparison and that she was kinda on the wrong track with her obsession and need for fulfillment when she had a treasure of a life right in her own lap.
One of my favorite things was when Julie decided to write a blog because, “I have thoughts!!” I could definitely relate to that. And I also have no clue at any given time how many readers I have. I did think it strange that she didn’t connect with any of her readers, but for all I know the real Julie did but it would have created too much extra stuff in the movie.
At any rate, the movie brought up a strong desire in me to make hollandaise sauce (which I’ve yet to do) and purchase Julia’s book for my daughter. I bought her the movie for Christmas because she loves to cook and loves to learn more about cooking (and hadn’t yet seen it). Next up, I’m sending her that french cooking book. Perhaps she’ll create her own challenge and start her own blog. :)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by Sandra
| December 30th, 2009
I bought the book and read part of it. I have yet to finish it, because I was put off by Julie. In the book, at least in the beginning, I didn’t get a lot of Julia. I got tidbits of info from letters she wrote taken from her memoirs, but it wasn’t interesting. Maybe I will see some of what you saw as I get more into the book.
A couple of interesting tidbits:
-My grandparents have an inn and Julia Child stayed there once, and my grandparents got to actually chat with her for a while. The told me that Meryl Streep did a wonderful job of playing her.
- You’re not the only one who is criticizing Julie. Julia Child didn’t even approve of Julie. Julie wrote Julia and told her about the blog. Julia Child’s staff mentioned Julia wasn’t interested in the blog or in Julie.
Basically Julia Child felt like Julie wasn’t taking her cooking seriously. That when she blogged about her recipies, she was not engaging the readers, she was just baking the food and blogging. She was not demonstrating how to actually make the meals and give pointers or talk about the food. Food was Julia Child’s life, and she felt that what Julie was doing was almost an insult.
Sandra´s last blog ..The Sexy Six
Comment by T
| December 30th, 2009
How funny David, I just watched this movie on Saturday night.
I agree with you. Meryl Streep was FABULOUS as Julia Child. I loved her scenes the most.
The movie was ok but, as Cathouse Teri says, it did make me want to attempt a hollandaise sauce. Because yum…
T´s last blog ..On the subject of money
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
That was pointed out in the movie, that Julia was not pleased with Julie’s flippant regard for the craft. But Julie was passionate about it in her meagre little way. We can’t all be Julias! :)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by dadshouse
| December 30th, 2009
Sandra – I felt that same thing from reading a few blog posts on the Julie and Julia blog. Julie basically wrote “I made this last night, and this a**hole complained in a comment.” She didn’t really give tips or engage the reader. I really don’t understand why her story made it into a movie – except that Nora Ephron did “You got mail”, and probably wanted to do the first blogger movie. But Julia Childs life was the interesting thing here.
Cathouse Teri – I didn’t get that about Julie in the movie at all. I thought at the end she was still attached to her image of Julia. She didn’t really embrace her actual life, or the light that was already in her own lap.
I also didn’t feel like Julie was passionate in the same manner as Julia – i.e. Julia Child cooked for joy and love, and Julie Powell came across in this movie as cooking to avoid feeling crappy and depressed, and to meet her deadline. Julia Child’s cookbook was a labor of love. Julie Powell’s blog was anything but that. (At least as portrayed in the movie)
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
I didn’t say Julie REALIZED her error. I said she was on the wrong track and that came out in the movie. I also said exactly what you said ~ Julia had a passion for food that Julie didn’t possess. But again, I felt like the movie expressed that.
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
In other words, I think it’s odd to say you didn’t like the movie because you are pro Julia and not pro Julie, but the movie was exactly that. Pro Julia and not pro Julie. So it stands to reason that you would like the movie for that reason. That it agrees with you. :)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| December 30th, 2009
A blogger who doesn’t know their average amount of readers? P’shaw! I haven’t seen this, and probably won’t. Inglorious Basterds is more my speed. ;)
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Totally Late Music Tuesday
Comment by dadshouse
| December 30th, 2009
I thought the movie was fine. I just thought the blogger Julie part wasn’t much of a story worth telling. And it did not provide enough contrast to Julia Child. Julia lived life in a big way, and Julie just sort of skimmed the surface. For depth, I want more contrast, more change in the protagonist (if you can call blogger Julie that)
Ginger – we watched Inglorious Basterds, too! Good movie. Fascinating.
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
Gotcha. I loved Inglourious Basterds, too. But again, in reference to Ginger’s comment, what is so weird about a blogger not knowing their average amount of readers? I suppose you might mean a serious blogger, as opposed to a dabbler, like me. :)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by Danielle
| December 30th, 2009
Geesh, now I am going to have to go watch the movie and google Julie. Thanks for the homework dad.
Danielle´s last blog ..The decision
Comment by *Juliette*
| December 30th, 2009
I loved your review! I reviewed the book “My life in France” by Julia Child here: http://rendezvouswithromeos.blogspot.com/2009/08/juliette-julia.html
and would have loved to see a movie exclusively about Julia as well.
I also agree with you about having personal relationships with my readers.
*Juliette*´s last blog ..The Telltale Texts
Comment by Andrea
| December 30th, 2009
I haven’t seen this movie. Honestly I wasn’t planning to even though Meryl Streep in anything is worth the money. (My favorites of her’s include Bridges of Madison County and Postcards from the Edge). She’s a fantastic actress. But even I didn’t think she could save the plot on this one.
Andrea´s last blog ..Review & Giveaway: Rechargeable Automatic Wine Opener
Comment by Honey
| December 30th, 2009
I haven’t seen Inglorious Basterds…I don’t like Tarantino. Or most Spielberg things, though his more recent stuff is better than his early stuff. :-)
Honey´s last blog ..I Think I Have A Sex Sprain
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| December 30th, 2009
I love Meryl Streep in anything. I can’t wait to see her in her new movie with whatshisname. (haha… made my own self laugh)
But she RUINED Mamma Mia for me. That part was not for her. So says me. :)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by Elizabeth
| December 30th, 2009
David, I want to read your review of “It’s Complicated.” Heh. Talk about a strange premise for a movie. Go so you can take it apart for us, or surprise me by loving it.
Are you thinking of going, or is it TOO chick flick for you?
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Once a dog…
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| December 30th, 2009
I haven’t seen this yet either – but since it’s on cable, I may indulge sometime soon, just to see if I agree with you. As for chick flicks – you know I love them. At certain points in time, they’re just what the doctor ordered. Then again, a good bit of eccentricity-and-character-based French cinema is also up my alley. I’m curious if you ever saw Elegy, and what you thought of it. (Many picked it apart, but I found it fascinating and beautiful, though now I’m going to read the book it was based on, The Dying Animal, by Philip Roth.)
Oh – I think the Wild Mind (possibly?) blogged on “It’s Complicated.” I generally love Streep, but sounds like this one may be not what we expect either.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Scoring the decade: Your 10 years in review…
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| December 30th, 2009
yeah, Who doesn’t check their stats? And you’re right, how would “they” need her if she doesn’t even know who “they” are and how many of them there are? Duh. I didn’t see the movie, but I can agree that the only person I would find interesting is Julia Child.
Comment by Nicki
| December 31st, 2009
You gave me chills with the ‘personal relationship with the readers’ part. I’m learning about boundaries. ;)
And I have to tell you, though I found the meals incredible in the movie…all I could focus on was the clean up. Too involved for me, thanks.
Suffice it to say, I have high hopes for a better second blogger movie. Any volunteers?
Nicki´s last blog ..Once in a blue moon…
Comment by Cece
| December 31st, 2009
Thanks for a great review! I gave the DVD as a gift and have not seen it yet! I grew up watchcing julia child cocok and we can still see her on PBS here in Albuquerque. She is always entertaining and full of laughter and surprises!
Hope you have a great New Year!
cece
Cece´s last blog ..Living an Empowered Life:Singing in the Rain, Dancing in the Downpour!
Comment by Travis
| December 31st, 2009
The only person I found interesting was Paul… Now there is a story. The blogger part was silly, disappointing, and didn’t match reality. Even for the time period. Stats were well available during that time. And something bugged me about the relationship between Julie and her husband… And what was with the freeze frame at the end?
Travis´s last blog ..Is That Almond I Taste?
Comment by notasoccermom
| December 31st, 2009
Late to the game once again. I loved this movie! Loved every bit. Meryl should win an Oscar, I remember watching Julia Child on PBS when I was young and could have sworn it was her in the movie.
I didn’t think that the Julie Character was trying to BE Julia but to find her own identity. Wrong way of going about it but definitely a reality of many people.
The blogging, although not the style of bloggers who share was possibly common to bloggers who are just putting their words out into cyber space for their own comfort rather than for comment and blog friendships.
That is certainly how my blog started out, I didnt necessarily want anyone to READ it. Now I am gaining more confidence and figuring out about stat readers and discovering there are readers I had no Idea existed because they do not comment.
I thought her responses to comments was more of a defense as if someone had commented on a private journal…
Great review- however I do not completely agree
notasoccermom´s last blog ..I sure see my year from a different perspective today.
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| January 1st, 2010
I watched the film on cable. I grew up watching Julia Child on PBS, not to mention walking through her neighborhood. I thought Streep’s portrayal was fabulous. Everything about the Julie character simply paled in comparison. It felt flat, dramatically, and unsatisfying, even in terms of character development – regardless of the accuracy of the blogging activity.
In addition, Julie’s 9/11 related “government job” – with scenes that only offered tiny swatches of that experience (and her annoyance) seemed dismissive and offensive to that role, and those who performed other assisting roles following 9/11. Wasted opportunity – to give her a little more depth – or at least be respectful of the stresses in that role, which might have made the blogging with such fervor more understandable.
Netting things out – not a movie I’d watch a second time. Certainly not a book I’d read, though it wouldn’t surprise me if film editing contorted the end result. I agree with others – Streep as Julia and Tucci as Paul would have given us a wholly satisfying experience, without the Julie character.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Letter to the new decade
Comment by krn
| January 1st, 2010
J&J didn’t hold my interest to the end, though I loved the scenes between husband and wife. Tucci stole the show for me and that is huge playing across Streep, who was amazing as ever. There is such genuine light in her eyes when she plays joyful. But, Tucci was an absolute delight to watch in this film. The food looked delicious. Kind of made the popcorn seem pathetic in comparison. Didn’t stop me from munching a little bit to stave off the craving for something rich and complex, though.
Comment by thewildmind
| January 4th, 2010
Well, I’m definitely late to the conversation here. I read Dad’s post through My Yahoo! (yeah, I know something I should do every day and don’t), and decided to come over and check out the comments.
First off, I’ve not seen the movie and wanted to, until I read Dad’s assessment. Then I didn’t want to anymore, except for the love story part and I can save that for a lonely Friday evening on my couch…alone…lonely…yeah, whatever, no thanks.
Then I read the other comments here and now, dangit, I’m going to have to watch the thing to see what all the big deal is. Thank goodness it is on On Demand for free. I neither have to buy the vid or go to the theatre.
Nice discussion!
thewildmind´s last blog ..Avatar’s “Hidden Messages”: Who’s Hiding?