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With talented actors such as Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci and Jane Lynch on board, plus Nora Ephron has been responsible for some lovely work, 'Julie & Julia' seemed a recipe made in heaven. Seeing it, it is truly delicious stuff.
Do agree with those saying that the Julia Child portions are much more interesting than the Julie Powell ones. Not that the Julie Powell scenes are unwatchable, certainly not. There are amusing and sweet moments and succeeds just as much as the Julia Child story in making one want to grab a cook-book and start cooking or starting a blog. The film in general with both story lines compels one to want to cook, regardless of how good they are at it or not.
Amy Adams also brings charm to Julie and an amusing angst and Chris Messina is likable support, though the character is underwritten somewhat. Their chemistry is nicely done.
What lets it down however are silly scenes like with the dinner and 65 answer phone messages, pacing that lacked lustre in places and the shallow self-absorbed way Julie particularly is written.
Luckily, the Julia Child portions have much more charm and are easier to relate to, with Julia's obstacles and determinations being easier to root for and Julia being a more endearing character. The scenes have so much warmth and makes one laugh in an uplifting fashion and cry in how delicately and sensitively the subject is portrayed.
Meryl Streep gives yet another masterly performance, that's both hilarious and touching and much more than an impersonation even with the mannerisms, voice and such being spot on. She is not as tall as Child was, who was 6 foot 2 to Streep's 5 foot 6, but 'Julie & Julia' cleverly disguised that by basically casting shorter actors and actresses. Stanley Tucci is equally brilliant as her husband, one really believes that they are in love and Tucci charms the socks out of everybody. Jane Lynch is a welcome presence in a small role as Dorothy.
The only problems with her story are that it occasionally sags in the middle and that the Republican/McCarthyism jibes did come over as mean-spirited and unnecessary.
'Julie & Julia' is beautifully filmed, especially in the Julia story, which also has very evocative and handsomely rendered period detail that feels like late 40s-50s France. The music gives a good taste of the uplifting and the tragic, with brilliant use of "Time After Time". Am not a fan of the very overplayed "Prince of Denmark" march but tolerated it here.
Nora Ephron's directing in the film's best parts is some of the best she ever did in my opinion and in the best parts the script is witty, inspiring, poignant and sharply observant with lots of warmth. Much of the story works really well, with the two stories and time lines intertwined with great skills and never is hard to follow or choppy.
Overall, culinary deliciousness if at times uneven. 8/10 Bethany Cox
