Sunday, August 09, 2009

Childhood Nostalgia with Food

Yes, I watched Julie and Julia. But first, this week we saw the passing of a great writer/director, John Hughes. He was 59. He's the guy who wrote and/or directed movies like The Breakfast Club, National Lampoon's Vacation, Pretty in Pink, 16 Candles (sigh...Jake Ryan), Uncle Buck, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, just to name a few. I can list off all his work and I'm sure you've seen most, if not all, his movies. I'm sure at some point or another you've spouted off random quotes from them, too. I remember using the final line from Ferris Bueller as my high school senior yearbook quote.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller


In a nutshell, he made teen angst and childhood mischief enjoyable and fun to watch. I think I'll go listen to Holiday Road right now and imagine myself going on a trip to Wally World, which in fact is Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia Ca., 1/2 hour north of Los Angeles.


John Hughes will surely be missed, but he left us with some great movies that will live on.



So Julie & Julia opened on Friday. If you read my post last week (here), you'll know that I'm pretty excited about this movie. Not because it's about food. No wait...That's a lie. Ok, that's one of the reasons, but because it has Meryl Streep portraying one of the people I've admired for quite a long while. I remember watching Julia Child's show on PBS when I was young and thought she was so fascinating, sounding so carefree that I wanted to be like her. It was her and the Two Fat Ladies I used to watch.

I made sure that I went on opening day. Now, I'm as happy as a little girl!!! LOVED IT!!! Some of you may say otherwise, but you know, this is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Directed by Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail) with Meryl Streep as the legendary Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell. Stanley Tucci as Julia's husband, Paul, and Chris Messina as Julie's husband, Eric.

Can I just say Meryl Streep was absolutely fabulous as Julia Child. I think she got Julia down pretty good. I don't think anyone else could have pulled it off.
The chemistry between Julia and her husband, Paul, was great. Their interaction with one another made you believe that they were the people they were portraying. As if they were really a married couple. I also liked Amy Adams in the movie, too. I must say though, I wish Nora Ephron concentrated a little more on Julia's side of the story or, at least, added a few more scenes to make it a bit more balanced. I really wanted to see more of that side of the story rather than Julie Powell's. I know it's based on a book, but Julia Child is just a fascinating person.

Would I recommend this to others? Sure. Hey you, reading this. Go see it!!!! I found it funny that the theater I was in, it was mostly those a lot older than me. I didn't mind at all. I think they were taken aback by someone like me, watching a movie like that.
After watching, I wanted to jump right into the kitchen and make something. Also, I'd recommend eating something before you watch it because all the delicious food made me hungry. Literally. That was my fault for not having a little something beforehand.

One of my favorite quotes actually comes from Julia Child.

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it"

I couldn't have said it better myself, Julia. I believe she's right. I'm passionate about food and film. Two F's that don't correlate to a school grade (thank goodness). I'm happy working on a set of a production as I'm happy in the kitchen whipping up something delicious. Sometimes there's a struggle when we follow what we're passionate about, yet sometimes that struggle is worth it. The end result will be success.

I think I'll go whip something up now. Bon Appetit!

4 comments:

Phyllis said...

I saw it on Friday too!!! Hubby wanted to see 500 Days of Summer but at the last minute I dragged him to Julie and Julia. The average age of the audience was around 70 (Hubby Kris was the only guy in the theatre under 40 so he warned me not to leave him alone in the theatre too long, or else he'd have to fend off the older ladies!) Meryl Streep was unbelievable as Julia Child (just watched her in Doubt last weekend - also amazing). And I know what you mean about wanting to see more Julia's story, while I thought Amy Adams did a decent job I found myself wishing that I could like her character more (I thought Julie was a little pathetic in some parts). I've always been a little intimidated by Julia Child's cooking but I can't wait to make the 'braised cucumbers' from the movie. Bon Appetit!

Kim (@ Paper Apron) said...

I have been replaying it in my head all weekend. Like Phyllis, I was shocked to see so many older women out in force (and so few men)! The women in the theater inspired me as much as what was onscreen. I often overlook the power and influence that strong women leaders can have in our lives. We need more Julias in our lives!! Or, at least more Julia wannabes.

Reeni said...

I can't wait to see it!! I love that quote!

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

Hey Jenn-thanks for the review. Now I can't wait to see the movie,but first I need to catch hold of a babysitter.

 
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