Julie and Julia – (2009) ***
Rounding out my trifecta of movie-going this weekend was Nora Ephron’s new romantic-comedy, “Julie and Julia”. Romantic comedy you say? Yup. But I’ll get back to that.
Much has been made of Meryl Streep’s glorious performance as Julia Child here. Every ounce of those kudos is well-deserved. Meryl’s gift for accents and astute understanding of character allow her to fully embrace and inhabit the out-sized personality of that force of nature, Julia Childs. The fact that this never feels like a mere imitation is a triumph in its own terms. It seems unavoidable that Streep has another oscar nomination coming – and I know it’s boring she keeps getting nominated, but hey, this performance absolutely deserves it. No question.
But I’ve also read reviews with headlines like “Loved Julia, Hated Julie” — which pronounced the other ‘half’ of the two simultaneous stories being told here as less engaging — claiming Julie is whining and self-absorbed, and saying they wished the whole movie had stayed with Julia.
Well, I beg to differ.
Amy Adams is complex and wonderful in the more difficult role of the two. Despite the breezy, fun charms of Julia’s story and character, this movie would have no heft without its more contemporary story lending perspective. Nora Ephron cleverly saw the parallels between the two Juli’s. Both stories are about a woman, very much of her respective generation, and how she is driven to define herself. And they both are very driven — Julia by her sheer joie de vivre and her desire to make cooking accessible to American women, and Julie by her 911-era sense of helplessness and inadequacy. And while much has been made of the fact that this is a departure for Ephron who usually makes romantic comedies — this movie is very much about love. It isn’t about will-they-won’t-they get together. It’s about the tougher side of romance –BEING together. The soul of this movie lies in the relationship each of these women has with their husband — two lovely performances from Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina. (Where’s this guy been? He’s charming!).
This is ultimately a movie about love. and the generosity of spirit love bestows upon you to support your partner’s toughest dreams.
I couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, I could have written your review, but I was too busy TELLING it to everyone I know… quick! before they read the stupid Seattle Times review and don’t go see it! The review here was so bad, in fact, that I thought we were going to see one brilliant hour of Meryl Streep as Julia, then cut! print! switch to: one boring whiny hour of Amy Adams as Julie. I took my mother-in-law, both of us expecting to see only 1/2 a movie we’d enjoy. What a pleasant surprise to find the movie cavorting pleasantly from one time period to another. And how perfect that the Amy Adams/Julie portions were cinematographically a little grittier, a little more “ordinary” than the lush Meryl/Julia portions, which seemed, in the words of a friend, “almost epic” in some intangible way (known only to cinematographers, no doubt). Of course Julie was a bit “down” from time to time. She was living in Queens, for goodness sake, and cooking gourmet food in a kitchen the size of my closet. No, make that SMALLER than my bathroom. But she was not continually whiny and the reviews I read (not all of them, thank heavens) did her a disservice. (It was actually nice to see her in a non-perky role, to tell the truth… even the nun in “Doubt” veers a bit toward the perkiness end of the scale from time to time.) Larry, you’re the only person I’ve read who gave credit where credit was due to the two men!! Stanley Tucci was understated, as always, simply shining with love… and Chris Messina was just perfect as Julie’s husband. Perfect. I agree – can we rent more movies with him? Will he please hurry and make a few more? I enjoy your reviews, bubba.
Appreciate the kind words. At times I feel just a bit like Julie. Wondering if anyone reads these things at all
Glad you felt the same way about the movie.
I am an [active] gourmet cook.
I have precious memories of viewing J. Child’s kitchen – lovingly transported to The Smithsonian.
I really enjoy old reruns of J.C. T.V. episodes.
Did I mention to you that she was once a spy for the O.S.S. ?
No? Oh. Never mind!
That’s right … I’d forgotten you were a big cooking fan.
Personally, I think this movie would make an excellent Stanley Tucci / cooking double feature with the excellent “Big Night”