Review

Review Date: 9-August-09
Spoiler Rating: Low
Juju Judgment: Juicy

Julie & Julia (2009)

Julie & Julia is a story about food, marriage, and self-actualization. Two stories, really, but they run parallel and are emphatically similar despite being based on real life. The first, beginning in 2002, follows a New Yorker named Julie Powell who is played by the lovely Amy Adams. Julie has a thirtieth birthday on the calendar, a half-finished novel in a drawer, and a job shuffling claims from victims of 9/11, none of which is conducive to feelings of fulfillment. Almost on a whim, she starts a blog chronicling her attempt to complete all of the recipes in Julia Child's famous book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She gives herself a scant year for the project, aiming to break a lifelong habit of not finishing what she starts. (Although the project is over, you can still find her blog here: http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/2002/08/25.html.)

The second story, beginning in 1949, follows Julia Child as she learns how to cook in Paris and sets out to write (and publish) a revolutionary reference for American homemakers. Meryl Streep's portrayal of Child borders on caricature, although the woman was so distinctive (6'2" and possessed of that absurd voice) that one can hardly blame her. Like the blogger whom she would influence 50 years later, Julia suffers a feeling of dissatisfaction which in her case derives from thwarted motherhood. She wants to create, to accomplish something meaningful, and her love of eating points the way.

Although the movie was inspired by biographical books, it bears the stamp of writer/director Nora Ephron, who has a way of making everything seem a hair too glossy to be true. Julie & Julia wants to make you feel good, and it succeeds if you are willing to swallow its (ironically) pre-packaged, processed-cheez brand of gratification. While the heroines struggle with frustrations (skeptical publishers, burned boeuf bourguignon), they are as cute as buttons and enjoy sitcom-style relationships with their husbands and friends. Indeed, their men are integral to the film. As Paul Child, Stanley Tucci attests to Julia's femininity; as Eric Powell, Chris Messina prevents Julie's obsession from appearing too desperate; both assure viewers that the women are safely anchored as they journey toward better selves. Julie and Julia's quest is as sweet and gooey as chocolate mousse, comfort food for people who crave antidotes to the inescapable bitterness in life.

Copyright © 2009 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.