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You are here: Home / books / Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia

August 8, 2009 by Suzie the Foodie 6 Comments


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Opening night and I was there in the theatre watching Julie and Julia!How exciting! Our friends Mike & Jen came with us who have witnessed my foodie journey for years now, so lovely to have great company, and our cashier at the concessions was actually named Julia, how perfect.
From the commercials, I knew Meryl Streep was going to portray Julia Child perfectly and I was right. Not a stereotype but her essence was on the screen. I loved learning even more about Julia Child from watching her story in the theatre and not just from the book. Like so many girls and women, I grew up with Julia. My mom would watch her cooking show on many afternoons. I would marvel at how my mom would love to watch Julia cook the most amazing meals, completely entranced. Then be saddened to hear a deep sigh come from her when the program was over and watch her mentally prepare to make dinner on a budget for four kids who did not like anything the same. I can not imagine how much of a kitchen fantasy it must have been for her to watch Julia make real French food.

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I have been a huge fan of the book Julie and Juliafrom the moment my sister Shannon‘s Christmas parcel showed up in the mail. I absolutely devoured Julie’s story, enjoying every literary bite. It reminded me of how much I love to be in the kitchen, learning about food. It got me through great dark times of my life which I am still struggling through and finding inspiration from culinary challenges. Julie helped me embrace my inner foodie and reminded me that we can be real and ourselves even when everything falls apart.
This brings me to my one major criticism of the movie: the portrayal of Julie Powell. Amy Adams is of course lovely and adorable and so very likable but where is the tough-as-nails kitchen warrior who could make a sailor blush with her cursing?! If you read some of the reviews of Julie and Julia on Amazon you will see many people criticizing the book for its intense language but that was one of the things I love about Julie! Yes, she has many moments of breaking down but she gets up and takes on the world after she fumes in frustration.
Perhaps they were trying to tone down the movie to make sure the ratings stayed PG or something but I did not like this change. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Julia’s joie de vivre philosophy next to Julie’s intensity and foul language. It makes me wonder if the author sees herself more like a child sniveling on the kitchen floor than how I see her, a pirate in the kitchen? Maybe I am remembering it wrong but I know she is tougher than the Julie in the movie.
The movie was entertaining, informative and inspiring. To find joy in the kitchen at any stage in life is exciting and is a story that I can connect to. Like the book, the movie helped give me a nudge back into my kitchen to create my own culinary blogging stories. Thank you Julie & Julia!
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Comments

  1. Shell says

    August 8, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    I didn’t read the book. I am looking forward to seeing the movie!! I know it’s going to be good.

    Reply
  2. Debra She Who Seeks says

    August 8, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    I’m not surprised you were there right on opening night! Thanks for your review, it adds to my anticipation. I hope to go see it this coming week.

    Reply
  3. aliceinparis says

    August 8, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    I can hardly wait!! Did you know the Julia Child was 6’2″? Meryl was wearing platforms and on boxes through a lot of the filming.

    Reply
  4. Shannon the Movie Moxie says

    August 8, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    I’m so glad you got out to see the film Suzie, and glad you enjoyed the book as well – I knew from the moment I started reading it that it would be one to share with you!

    I was wondering what they were doing with the Julie character and this confirmed my suspicions that they toned it down. I really wonder why. Thanks so much for writing about it! I certainly have it on my to see list!

    Reply
  5. tournesol says

    August 9, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Im hoping to see it today, didn’t make opening night..I have so been looking forward to this movie too!

    Reply
  6. intothedawn says

    August 9, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I’ve been looking forward to seeing this movie ever since they started showing commercials for it. Unfortunately, probably going to have to wait until its cheaper at the second-run theatre.

    But from what you’ve said about the changes in the movie, looks like I’m going to have to read the book as well! Lots of swearing goes on in my kitchen when I’m trying new recipes, so I like the idea of a foul-mouthed kitchen warrior. LOL Plus, I know from experience that the books is always better than the movie. I would guess they toned that part down to make the movie more “family friendly”.

    Reply

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