To escape the 90+ degree temperatures and smothering humidity that have been smothering New England today, Melissa and I went to see the new movie, Julie & Julia. Bottomline: We thoroughly enjoyed it!
The movie tells two stories in parallel: the first of Julia Child's journey from bored diplomatic housewife to creator of the most popular cookbook of all time, and the second of Julie Powell, a frustrated wannabe writer who decides to cook her way through Child's cookbook over the course of a year and blog about the experience to overcome her writer's block.
Working within the confines of Nora Ephron's gooey script, Meryl Streep does a great job as Julia Child. Ephron's characterization of Child doesn't present much emotional depth to challenge the actor, so Streep has little else to do beyond mastering Child's voice and mannerism as she transforms the icon that so many Americans adored into a slightly deeper caricature. Streep's success in the role is made all the greater by the wonderful support she receives from Stanley Tucci's warm and thoughtful portrayal of her diplomat husband, Paul Child. If the movie were a bit deeper emotionally, I wouldn't have been surprised if Tucci were mentioned for Best Supporting Actor when the award nominations come out early next year. Unfortunately, I doubt it's likely given the movie's light-hearted treatment of both stories.
In the second storyline about Powell, Streep's co-star from 2008's Doubt, Amy Adams, gives a solid performance. Adams was delightful as she rises to the challenge of portraying someone that most Americans have never heard of, bringing to life her obsessive personality as she works through Child's cookbook and, along the way, through her narration, she reveals details about the Childs that didn't fit in smoothly with the direction of the other storyline. Chris Messina, who plays Powell's husband, Eric, deserves mention. While he's no Stanley Tucci, he more than held his own within the storyline with Adams and did a great job as her better half.
Finally, a word of warning: be sure to eat BEFORE you see this movie. With only a few exceptions, there is wonderful looking food in nearly every scene in this movie. If you don't come in with a full stomach, then plan on a trip to your favorite local dining spot on the way home.
I thought this movie was a lot of fun and would recommend it folks add it to your NetFlix queue.