Directed by Nora Ephron Starring: Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina Review by Matthew Toffolo
SYNOPSIS:
Frustrated secretary Julie Powell (Adams) tries to shake up her life by chronicling her attempt to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time.
Julie and Julia opened the same weekend as GI Joe. And the frustration of that is that all those kids who headed off to see GI Joe missed the film it was suppose to really see. And that film is Julie and Julia because it tells a story about two women who learn the art of discipline and determination to follow your passion. The two main characters do what they love no matter all of the conflicts and setbacks that are thrown their way. They never quit eventhough it's the easy thing to do. And what a great story for the under 25 generation who are all generally developing their inner selves and values. This true story tells them that yes it might takes years and a lot of personal struggle, but if you keep going you'll end up obtaining what you want in life.
The weekend of August 7 2009 gave us one of the best films of 2009 (Julie and Julia) and by far the worst film of 2009 (GI Joe). One film that will grow braincells and entertain you while the other film that will easily kill braincells and bore you to death.
I loved this movie. It gave you everything a great film is suppose to be. It made you laugh, it made you cry, it entertained you and it also told a story that was incredibly inspirational. Two stories about one woman learning to deal with the man's world of the 1940s and another woman learning to deal with the man's world of the 2000s. As we move from Julia Child's story in 40s Paris, France to present day Julie Powell's story in Queens, New York we realize that a lot is different in the two worlds while a whole lot is also very much the same. There is still a disconnect occurring and cooking is the thing that pulls the two leads closer to the world and helping others too with their actions.
Both woman have one thing in common: a supportive spouse. And what a great thing to see as both husbands of the leads are their to do what woman usually do in the movies, support the man while he goes off to accomplish his goals.
And both woman don't have the typical desires you see in Hollywood films these days where they either have conflict because they can't find a date or have conflict because they want to have a baby (or both conflicts at the same time). These woman's journeys have an actual point to them and it's so amazing to see because it's so rare.
I am cheering for Julie and Julia to do well as the box office because this is the type of movie that should be made more often. These characters are role models for woman and the irony
of that statement is that they are doing their work in the kitchen. A spot many men would prefer to have their woman be all the time. But their work in that spot allows them to enter different worlds that most men could only dream of being in. So in a way it's them sticking it to those men who still haven't learned to grow up quite yet.
I know many men who would never see this type of movie because they are still uncomfortable watching stories about females who accomplish things. They would never admit this and will come up with a million rationalizations as to why they won't watch it, but it will come down to their own insecurity. You see most men can't stand the idea that a woman could be smarter or most accomplished than them. So there's no way they would ever watch a movie about two woman who are perhaps a bit better than them.
But Julie and Julia is a good start and perhaps it helps push the boundaries a little more so more of these films can be made.
And this film shows that life is all about picking the right partner because neither of these characters would of gotten far without the right man in their lives. Julia Child waited until she was almost 40 to find the right man and that tells you that patience is a virtue. Your partner will come eventually and the trick is to make sure you don't settle while you wait for them.
An interesting thing to think about after seeing Julie and Julia is the acting. The performances are all so seamless you really don't even notice how extraordinary they all are. This is a film about love and the actors show it everytime.
So if it's not too late for all you under 25 people out there. Skip GI Joe and go see a real movie. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. And if you are then email me and I'll give you your money back because Julie and Julia is a film I want everyone to see.
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