Prepare to get hungry; this charming film will capture both your heart and your taste buds. Filled with witty humor and clips of delicious meals, “Julie & Julia” is the year’s best chick flick by far.
The film follows two different true stories. The first belongs to Julie Powell (Amy Adams). When the film begins, Julie is emotionally self-destructing in a cubicle, having all but abandoned her childhood dreams of being a writer. In an attempt to bring some meaning to her life, she decides to start a blog. The mission: To cook her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year.
As the film progresses, it flashes to scenes from the second true story, which is about Julia Child (Meryl Streep). Based on Child’s memoir My Life in France, these scenes follow Julia as she moves to France and becomes the endearingly eccentric icon known and loved in kitchens throughout America. Often these scenes parallel each other as both women go through similar struggles and achieve similar goals.
The film was incredibly well cast. Amy Adams was adorably convincing as a slightly melodramatic young woman. It’s hard to avoid giggling as you watch her struggle in the kitchen as so many of us have done. Meryl Streep was outstanding as always and captured Julia Child’s unique charisma unlike any other actress could have done.
Beware: This film will not be in theaters much longer, and it is definitely one you do not want to miss. Ladies, it is not one that your boyfriend is going to hate you for dragging him to. There were many long faced men being dragged in the theaters when I went, and they ended up being the ones laughing the hardest. Just remember not to go hungry, as the scenes filled with mouth-watering dishes will leave you salivating in your seat. Whether or not you end up going out to dinner afterward, this film will certainly send you out the doors cheerful and shouting “Bon Appetit!”
Rated: PG-13 Grade: A