Julie & Julia
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
Direction: Nora Ephron
Rating: *** & 1/2
Over the years, several films — Babette’s Feast, Eat Drink Man Woman, Chocolat — have explored the restorative power of food.
Even though it isn’t as flavourful as those gourmet treats, Julie & Julia has what it takes to make a palatable meal.
Adapting not just one but two real-life stories, writer-director Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle) skillfully juggles the dual plotlines revolving around two women from different generations.
In the first, Julia Child (Streep), a middle-aged housewife indulges her culinary passion in late-1940s Paris. Against daun-ting odds, she masters the art of Fren-ch cuisine. Besides publishing a landmark cookbook, the celebrity chef even hosted a long-running TV show.
Julia’s story alternates with the experiences of Julie Powell (Adams) in Manhattan during the early 2000s. Bored with her job, the young civil servant establishes a daily blog documenting her preparation of all the 500-plus recipes in Julia’s cookbook.
There are interesting parallels in the lives of the two women.
{{/usCountry}}There are interesting parallels in the lives of the two women.
{{/usCountry}}United by their love of cooking, both Julia and Julie are blessed with doting husbands (Stanley Tucci-Chris Messina) who encourage them wholeheartedly. Also, both women are childless and strive to seek fulfillment in the culinary arts. Ephron sprinkles their journeys with a couple of giggle-worthy interludes such as the unexpected visit by Julia’s sister (Jane Lynch, marvellous in a minuscule role). In a much more substantial part, Amy Adams is endearing. Of course, the main course of this foodie flick is Meryl Streep.
Her pitch-perfect impersonation of Julia Child consolidates her reputation as the pre-eminent actress of our time. She and Ms Adams had previously appeared together in Doubt (2008). All seen and salivated, Julie & Julia yields a few appetising courses. Indulge.