Rob Calvert posted on August 07, 2009
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina
Here we have two stories in one that don’t intertwine, but they are related. The movie follows the true story of Julie Powell (Adams) – a city worker who answers phones assisting the victims of 9/11 with whatever problems they might have while at the same time trying to figure out what she REALLY wants to do with her time since she was reluctantly moved to Queens by her husband, Eric (Messina). Julie decides that she is going to put Julia Child’s cookbook, MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING, to the test by completing every recipe in one year, and then blogging about it.
The film splits time in Julie’s story with the story of Julia Child, taken from her book, MY LIFE IN FRANCE. In this story, we see Julia (Streep) with her husband, Paul (Tucci), as she tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life as the hubby works as a diplomat for the United States government….and hat-making just isn’t cutting it. She takes a cooking class, becomes the star of the show, and the rest is culinary history.
Adults who complain that Hollywood has nothing to offer an older audience that isn’t interested in seeing rampant sex and stuff blowing up (sometimes at the same time – which rules – by the way) have no reason to be upset anymore. At least for this year. JULIE & JULIA is a nice night out for anyone who wants to have a few harmless laughs at the movies, and, for those old enough to remember Julia, a bit of nostalgia.
Normally, this flick isn’t my kind of thing, but I very much enjoyed watching the relationship between Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. The two are so charming together as The Childs that it can’t help but when even the most cynical of viewers. And, honestly, if you are that cynical of a viewer then you WILL NOT going to this movie in the first place. The relationship between Julie and her husband is also set up well, but Adams and Messina don’t have nearly the chemistry of the other two. Not that their performances are bad, but IT IS Merryl Streep and Stanley Tucci we are talking about.
4 guitars on this one!(Out of 5 guitars)