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Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Casey Wilson

A woman verging on thirty and frustrated in a temp secretary job takes on a yearlong culinary quest: cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." She chronicles her tri...( read more  read more... )als and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd.

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72% liked it

301,338 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

191 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 3 min.

Directed by: Nora Ephron

Release Date: August 7, 2009

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DVD Release Date: December 8, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (11,774)

  • smith44
    October 23, 2009
    smith44
    Meryl is fantastic, as always!
  • her69eyes
    August 22, 2009
    her69eyes
    Hey, you know what? That Meryl Streep is pretty good.

    "Julie & Julia", the latest film by Nora Ephron ("You've Got Mail", "Sleepless in Seatte") is based on the lives of two women: one, a cultural icon responsible for one of the most significant works of postwar literature, and ...( read more)another, an average modern-day government worker. They're united by a cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" - Julia Child (Meryl Streep) spent nearly a decade assembling it, and Julie Powell (Amy Adams) spent 365 days cooking all of it's 524 recipes.

    Telling parallel stories in the early 1950's and 2002 gives the film a gimmick to sustain it's momentum for the first half of the film, however, like many films of this style, audiences will be quick to pick their favorite story. I was much more enthralled with the story of Julia Child and her marriage with the supportive Paul Child (Stanley Tucci). Streep's performance is just delightful, and it successfully captures the enormous charisma of Child (well, from the little i've seen - she was before my time). Tucci, who is really cementing himself as one of our very best character actors, once again has a remarkable chemistry with Streep and is her perfect foil.

    Julie Powell, on the other hand, is portrayed as completely self-absorbed and single-minded. Her husband, Eric (the reliable Chris Messina), is equally supportive as Paul, but we can only wonder why. Amy Adams, however, has certainly proven time and time again that she's more than a capable actress. She's perfectly fine here, but her role is simply outmatched and underwritten in comparison to the Julia Child half.

    "Julie and Julia" is mostly frothy and inoffensive entertainment, but it seems to be about a half an hour too long. The arrival of the wonderful Jane Lynch as Julia Child's sister doesn't amount to much at all, and relationship troubles between Julie and Eric escalate only because that's what they do in this kind of film. The dramatic momentum comes to a halt before the end of the film, which becomes even more apparent with it's unsatisfying conclusion.

    If there's one thing that the film makes clear, it's that Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci should appear as an onscreen couple in every film until the end of time. Streep's performance is a blast, almost near the level of the perpetually happy Poppy from last year's "Happy-Go-Lucky", but unfortunately even her enormous talent can't completely salvage this uneven chick flick.
  • moonrivers
    August 17, 2009
    moonrivers
    if there's only one reason to see this it's streep's glorious refusal to whatever "older" woman ought to be, do, and say, enlivening this mere personality toss-off by some and then some. stanley tucci holds up before her assault on preconcieved thoughts and notions, but only bar...( read more)ely (though with a wry smile). amy adams...always good, though burdened w/ the less likable of these "tales of two cities", rightly leans in to get her picture taken w/a picture of greatness.
  • moviesrule3817
    August 15, 2009
    moviesrule3817
    Julie & Julia (2009)
    Rated "PG-13" for brief strong language and some sensuality
    Director: Nora Ephron
    Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Linda Emond, Jane Lynch, and Mary Lynn Rajskub


    "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously...( read more) interested in it." This seemingly simple advice was given by Julia Child, an individual who clearly found something that she was incredibly passionate about, in her lifetime. Her 1963 show The French Cook was an influential show which ran for an impressive 10 years, and her 1961 cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking is on its way to its 49th printing. So, it would be no stretch to say that Child found a passion for food. In doing so, though, Child also found a passion for something much more: life. While the new film "Julie & Julia" puts wonderful foods on display for the observing audience, it's more apparent that the new film is actually about each character's passion to live their lives.


    The new film, from Oscar-nominated, writer-director Nora Ephron *, is quite something. It's not easy to bring two real life stories to the screen, and it's arguable much more difficult to bring the story of Julia Child to the screen. The culinary wizard is known by much of the older generation, and her trademark voice and movements are known by anyone who's ever seen one of her many TV appearances. The storyline follows a year in the life of Julie Powell, who attempts to cook all 524 recipes from Child's cookbook. In addition, the film also follows the life of Julia and Paul Child as they move through various locations in the 1950's and 60's. Juggling the stories is no easy task, and while some reviewers believe that Ephron hasn't succeeded at doing so, I would have to agree. The stories of the two women mesh really well together, and that can be attributed to Ephron's wonderful eye for a great story. Adapting one bestselling novel would be difficult enough, but she also chooses to adapt Child's own memoir, My Life in France. Though separated by time, the two women in the film are brought together not only by their love for cooking, but also by their fearlessness and by their passion for life.


    Each element to this film acts like the perfect ingredient needed to complete a recipe. Ephron's script and direction is, of course, a large part. She succeeds on both ends, too, delivering her best effort in years. The most important element of this film, however, is the acting. Lucky for us, what we have are two great actresses reminding us how great they are, and a slew of superb supporting work. Oscar winner Meryl Streep ** and two-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams *** were together just last year in the brilliant film "Doubt," and it's wonderful to see them back together so soon. While they share no screen time, their individual presences wouldn't mean quite as much without the connection created by the actresses. Most reviewers have complained that Adams is the weak point in the film, but I cannot find any basis for this argument. It's no mystery that Streep is given the more glamorous and interesting role, but Adams does what is needed with her role. She portrays Powell as a woman who seems to be lost in her own life and she's deeply effective.


    Streep seems to be doing much of the same, portraying Child as a woman who is attempting the find out exactly where she belongs. Each woman is striving to find where their true passion in life lies. What's perhaps most important about Streep's performance, though, is that is not merely trying to imitate Julia Child. Child's trademark voice is perfectly brought forth, but Streep herself has told us that her performance of Child is actually more of a homage to her mother. Streep's creation is another one of her brilliant roles in a long line of performances. In one scene, Streep manages to portray heartbreak and happiness in the matter of a few seconds. It's another wonderfully comedic role for Streep, but she also brings the dramatic element to the role that is needed. She makes it her own, re-creating Julia Child as we believe she would be, an individual driven by passion and love. The individual on the receiving end of much of that love is Paul Child. Paul is wonderfully brought to life by Stanley Tucci, who gives the second best performance of the film. His scenes with Streep are wonderful, and their love for one another is what drives much of the film. Their relationship seems to be what we all imagine true love is. Their interactions are frequently funny, and often very heartfelt. The other supporting actors add quite a bit, with the appearance of Jane Lynch being the best.


    With the hard work of the actors in the film, everything else seems to fall into place. The sets and costumes are great. The transition from New York to Paris works wonderfully, and, in the process, a very unique look is given to each individual story. The movie is part period piece and part contemporary. Yet, no matter what year the film portrays, it works. In the end, the film has as much to say about human connections, as it does about food. It tells us to have a life filled with passion, and, perhaps more importantly, it reminds us how much we rely on those around us.


    Final Thought: "Julia & Julia" is a fresh and fun summer film. It's the kind of summer fare we look forward to, and the performances by Streep and Adams are wonderfully realized. Streep's Julia Child is something to behold, and she's rightfully on her way to another Oscar nomination.


    Rating: 9/10

    Grade: B +

    ----------------------------------------------------

    * Silkwood (Writer, 1983), When Harry Met Sally (Writer, 1989), Sleepless in Seattle (Writer, 1993)

    ** Kramer vs. Kramer (Supporting Actress, 1979), Sophie?s Choice (Actress, 1982)

    *** Junebug (Supporting Actress, 2006), Doubt (Supporting Actress, 2008)
  • Cinema101
    August 8, 2009
    Cinema101
    Not a perfect film, but certainly one of the most delightful and well acted of any I've seen this year.
  • LTidemar
    November 21, 2009
    LTidemar
    Charming and inspiring! Based on two true stories.... Hehe! Love that ;))
  • wudrich
    November 21, 2009
    wudrich
    Entertaining with a good story. Worth renting.
  • barbaragpires
    November 21, 2009
    barbaragpires
    maryl streep arrasa mais uma vez. todas as cenas dela valem o filme.
    e amy adams também está ótima. assim como stanley tucci e jane lynch (sempre atores secundários que dão a graça do filme, mas não recebem a atenção que merecem).
    meu principal problema é que não é muito agradáve...( read more)l ver um pato sendo desossado (entre outras receitas) sendo vegetariana...
  • wangyng
    November 19, 2009
    wangyng
    excellent job by both female leads and Stanley Tucci! totally enjoyable!
  • Nan2Nan
    November 18, 2009
    Nan2Nan
    I Wanna Learn to how to Do Cooking~~ OH YEAH

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Critic Reviews

August 8, 2009
Kurt Loder, MTV

Meryl Streep is Julia Child -- in a movie that needs more of her. full review

August 7, 2009
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Ephron does the smart thing in Julie & Julia and lets Streep carry the day, with a minimum of embellishment. full review

August 7, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's a light and entertaining treat, with winning performances, sharp writing and some happy surprises. full review

August 7, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Loved the first course, hated the second. full review

August 6, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Julie & Julia proceeds with such ease and charm that its audacity is easy to miss. full review

August 6, 2009
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia is one-half delightful and one-half disappointing; luckily, the delightful part stays with you while the rest fades away. full review

August 6, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The ideal recipe has a special ingredient that can lift a dish from meh to memorable. Meryl Streep -- at her brilliant, beguiling best -- is the spice that does the trick for the yummy Julie & Julia. full review

August 6, 2009
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

The joys of the Julia parts are cumulative, and addictive. The Julie parts keep forcing us to go cold turkey. full review

August 6, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Julie & Julia is not lacking in entertainment value, especially with the Streep performance. But if the men had been portrayed as more high-spirited, it might have taken on intriguing dimensions. full review

August 5, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Ephron conveys neither gustatory joy nor cinematic know-how. full review

View more Julie & Julia reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • paxy2009
    August 20, 2009
    paxy2009
    It really lovely.i love it
  • marystar1521
    August 5, 2009
    marystar1521
    guess it will be great
    i mean something really original
    i´ll love it, of course
  • dfreebyrd59
    March 30, 2009
    dfreebyrd59
    i loved it. So true in some ways.
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Julie & Julia Trivia

  • What is Julie Andrews' full name?  Answer »
  • What is Julia Roberts real first name?  Answer »
  • What is Julia Roberts real first name? You Chose: e. It's Julia. (Incorrect - 0 pts) Correct Answer: a. Julie (1%) b. Janet (4%) c. Jane (1%) d. Juliet (3%) e. It's Julia. (9%) 'Fraid not. Check imdb.   Answer »
  • I just got a question about Julia Roberts, which was totally WRONG!!!! What is Julia Roberts REAL first name? JULIA IS THE ANSWER, but that was incorrect, they said it was JULIE!  Answer »
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