Film Review: Julie & Julia

JULIE & JULIA
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Performances by: Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film, "Julie & Julia" is based upon two books. One was written by the famous chef Julia Child entitled, “My Life in France” while the other was written by Julie Powell entitled, “Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen” or (in paperback) “Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously.” The later memoir is based on Julie Powell’s daily experiences cooking each of the 524 recipes in Child's “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” which she document online beginning in 2002 thus making this the first book and film adapted from a Blog. The former was an autobiographical account of Julia Child’s transition from being a government office work to the renown chef she eventually became most notably through her Public Television Cooking Show entitled, “The French Chef” which ran from 1963 to 1973 and was followed by similar programs. She was (as she would put it) “quite the rage.”

The film begins with the plight of Julie Powell (as portrayed by Amy Adams) whose work as a frustrated office worker dealing with customers suffering the aftermath of the September 11th attacks decides to relieve her frustration by creating a Blog from which the book and film derives. The film then turns to Julia Child (as portrayed by Meryl Streep) and her life with her husband Paul (Stanley Tucci) as they spent it in Paris during the 1940s and 1950s while he was a foreign diplomat. The fact the film is adapted from two novels make it seem like two separate movies leaving this reviewer to wonder which one he likes more.

Both stories are compelling and filled with a great amount of humor. While Amy Adams portrayal of Julie Powell was a joy to watch, it was Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Julia Child which truly transported the film to a very memorable one. Portraying someone who had very distinct mannerisms and voice is a very difficult challenge to any actor. The risk and tendency is often to imitate the person thus creating a caricature. In fact, this was demonstrated by showing the classic Saturday Night Live sketch in which Dan Aykroyd satirized Julia Child’s Culinary popularity to great effect. The role of Julia Child calls upon the talent of Ms. Streep’s caliber to go beyond creating an one dimensional caricature to creating a character with a great deal of depth in which all human beings can associate themselves with.

Yet, as much as it is enjoyable to watch the performances of Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. The real star of the movie is the food. The love for the culinary arts is explored throughout the film and it becomes quite contagious. This was achieved through scenes ranging from exhibiting the excitement of creating a dish resulting in a pleasing sensation on the taste buds to witnessing the bond one creates when a profound relationship is established between a butcher, a grocer, and anyone else who provides the ingredients utilized in any particular recipe. It is all these loving elements that transcends someone who just makes a meal to eat into someone who finds their kitchen a place in which an opportunity to discover something wonderful through their culinary endeavors are realized.

Another likable aspect of the film is how it draws the audience into the lives of the characters it presents. Many sounds echoing those made by the actors as they encountered the challenges and triumphs of their situations were heard from the audience. It seemed viewers of the film increasingly identified themselves as a part of the lives of Julie and Julia along with their family and friends as the film progressed.

The film is enjoyable to watch and is well worth the price of admission. It lures its audience into to lives of these two women exploring their parallel existence without making a too finer of a point of doing so. In other words, similarities of Julie Powell and Julia Child can be seen within the film, but the film does not rely upon this to tell a good set of stories. In doing so, they not only compliment one another but each could stand on its own merits if the film ever became separate pieces.

“Julie & Julia” is rated PG-13 and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theatre in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for show times and dates. Most films run one week from Friday to Thursday but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

“Julie & Julia” was the film viewed and discussed during the most recent Film and Chat Gathering presented by The Forwardian Arts Society on Friday August 7th at The Pocono Community Theater. The next Film and Chat Gathering will take place Friday September 4th. All film lovers are invited to attend. Please Contact The Forwardian Arts Society through their website for more information about their Film and Chat Gatherings and discover what film will be seen and discussed in September. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gatherings 2009 Gallery. www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts