Julie and Julia (2009)

Amy Adams as Julie Powell in Julie and Julia (2009), Columbia Pictures

Who loves this movie?? ....... Meeeeeee!!!! I do! I do!

Thanks, Oxygen Network, for making my day! 

I feel such an unexplainable joy watching Meryl Streep play Julia Child. I grin through almost the entire movie. 

Meryl Streep as Julia Child makes me feel like this

Julie and Julia (2009), Columbia Pictures

And this

Julie and Julia (2009), Columbia Pictures

Thoughts watching the film:

1. Two of the best actresses alive, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, play the title roles, Julia Child and Julie Powell, respectively.

2. As much as I love Meryl Streep as Julia Child, I think my favorite scene is when Julie Powell has a complete melt-down while trying to truss a chicken, and ends up sobbing uncontrollably on her kitchen floor (I relate to this, emotionally, on so many levels). As this is happening, the phone rings and her husband, Eric (Chris Messina), answers it. On the other line is a reporter that wants to do a story on Julie and her blog about surviving Julia Child's cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." And just like that, Julie is pulled from the depths of her misery. Isn't that how life tends to go? The best things present themselves at the lowest points. 

Of course later the reporter ends up canceling their meeting and breaking Julie's heart, but that's one of the great aspects of the film. It's encouraging to watch people deal with rejection and defeat, and pick themselves up again. And keep going. Julie and Julia receive hit after hit, but they keep going.
They survive. I like (need) modern survivalist tales, they keep me going.

3. How cute are Jane Lynch and Meryl Streep as sisters? So good.

 4. The film spins a magical and effective story. As Julie Powell becomes more obsessed with Julia Child, you the viewer, also, become obsessed with Julia Child. Julia Child kind of takes over your perspective on life as you watch this movie. It's a great homage to her. Or the idea of her, anyways. Suddenly, the only things that matter are French cooking, eating, and savoring moments.

Obsessed

5. How heartbreaking is the scene where Julia receives a letter from her sister Dorothy, announcing her pregnancy, and Julia bursts into tears? While her husband holds onto her, offering solace, Julia exclaims through her tears, "I'm so happy," trying to smile convincingly. Meryl Streep does this so brilliantly, conveying a happiness for her sister that is at once overshadowed and strangled by her own pain and sense of loss. This is such a beautiful moment in the film in its universality. It's so human. The need to feel genuinely happy for someone you love but unable to escape your own personal anguish. 

6. Who can't relate to striving to find some activity that fulfills you, while working a horrible 9-5 to pay the bills? It's kind of the new reality, isn't it? Amy Adams' Powell embodies this desperation so amazingly well.

"Oh god... someone shoot me."

7. Who doesn't tear up at the end when Julie's looking up at the picture of Julia Child at the Smithsonian and says, "I love you, Julia" ?? And she leaves the package of butter underneath the picture. Brilliant. Choking up.

You're brilliant, Amy Adams!

"I know, right?"

8. The old-timey music playing at the end. A big part of the movie is about nostalgia, no? Julie Powell reminisces early on about her mother cooking to Julia Child. Part of tackling Julia Child's cookbook is about yearning for the past and searching for meaning in your life.

Tackling the meaning of life right here

9. Last, but not least, Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep as husband and wife! So good! Their relationship is one of the best things about the film.

"Cheers to us!"

I could watch this movie a thousand times. 
Till next time, Julie and Julia.

Julie and Julia (2009)

Director: Nora Ephron

Screenplay: Nora Ephron 

(based on the book by Julie Powell)

Cast: 

Meryl Streep - Julia Child

Amy Adams - Julie Powell

Stanley Tucci - Paul Child

Chris Messina - Eric Powell

Jane Lynch - Dorothy McWilliams

Linda Emond - Simone Beck

Deborah Ruch - Avis De Voto