Julie & Julia Movie Review

Meryl Streep's Oscar Worthy Performance

Aug 7, 2009 Francine Brokaw

This delightful movie merges two stories into one, both centering around the legendary cook Julia Child.

The movie is the story of Julia Child and how she became the famous chef that she was, and it is also the story of Julie Powell who was a bored government worker in New York after 9/11 and decided to change her life by cooking every one of the 524 recipes in Child's book and writing a blog about her experience, all within one year. As the film switches back and forth between the 1950s and the early 2000s, both women share the common thread of the love of cooking and eating, and they both have very caring and understanding husbands that are by their sides throughout their ordeals.

A Phenomenal Cast

Meryl Streep is Julia Child. No ifs, ands, or buts. Watching the movie it is difficult to see Meryl Streep on the screen. Audiences are basically watching Julia Child. Streep's performance is masterful and is definitely worthy of recognition.

Amy Adams plays Julia with a sweetness that has audiences rooting for this woman, even when she is a bit self-centered. Stanley Tucci is adorable as Paul Child, Julia's adoring husband, and Chris Messina plays Eric Powell, Julie's supportive husband.

Julia Child’s Life Before She Was a Household Name

This film is a treat, no pun intended. It is filled with clever, witty, and adorable scenes as well as an interesting; actually two interesting stories about two very endearing women. While Julia Child is figuring out what to do with herself when her husband is transferred to Paris, she tries hat making and bridge. Then decides to combine her love of eating with her love of cooking and enrolls in the Cordon Bleu. Then she enters into collaboration with two friends to create a cook book, which all these years later is still going strong.

Julie Powell Seeks a Purpose in her Life

Julie Powell is basically a lost soul, but her new project gives her life new meaning. She works in a cubicle talking to people affected by the terrorist attacks, without getting any satisfaction and while also getting treated like she's the bottom of the barrel. But when she takes up this new challenge, she changes and becomes a more self-confident woman. And the icing on the cake, so to speak, for her husband, is that he gets incredible meals night after night.

The movie might be more attractive to women than men, but it is definitely a fun film that leaves the audience with a happy feeling.

Julie and Julia is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality. It runs 123 minutes.

The copyright of the article Julie & Julia Movie Review in Romantic Films/Comedies is owned by Francine Brokaw. Permission to republish Julie & Julia Movie Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Meryl Streep as Julia Child