Image credits: paulwakebaker
Have you ever judged a movie because of its poster? I did, like lots of times okay, I take that back, like all the time! So looking at the poster by Micky-the-Slanted-Salerno's blog for "The bitLanders Film Series" to Support Women Empowerment, I had thought this movie was about a mother and daughter true story. Laugh me about it but I am just being honest.
There I was, looking for a blog inspiration and I decided to give it a try and watch it, without any expectation of becoming entertained or whatever. Good thing dear Netflix got the movie and I am still with their free trial, the third day today to be exact.
Right after I watched it, I grabbed my keyboard as I write on a separate comfortable keyboard and began my typing work about telling you my own review on this interesting story, interesting in a way because this is not just a story out of the mind but because it is based on two true accounts! And I definitely love movies out of true stories. Let's start with the story and the main characters who played the roles then I'll be spilling a few points which I believe are really relatable to me and to other women around the globe.
Julie and Julia Movie
Video credits: Nora Ephron via bitLanders
Julie and Julia are two women who had their lives changed because of the love of cooking. Though their names sound alike, they are not related to each other except that Julie Powell was greatly influenced by Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", a book which Julie had spent years of compiling her recipes from when she stayed in Paris, France with her husband, Paul Child (Stanley Tucci).
Julia Child (Meryl Streep)
Image credits: aceshowbiz
American who moved to Paris, France when her husband Paul was relocated for work. She found herself in different setting trying out new things to do while in Paris, this includes hat making, but eventually, she found herself inside Le Cordon Bleu, a cooking school dominated by men. Although she received some harsh words from the director who said:
"It's for professional which you will never be, for sure. All mine, All GI and expensive." - Madam Brassart
She proceeds with the cooking school and even though she planked her examinations, she somehow found herself some friends in the presence of Louisette Berthole and Simone Beck who started teaching how to cook and eventually decided to write a book with the initial aim to provide a guide to American wives to French cooking.
With several things going on and a couple of turn backs from publishing companies, they finally found one which had offered the service but the book name as to be changed.
Julia's story in the movie ended with her receiving a copy of her hardbound book entitled "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".
Julie Powell (Amy Adams)
Image credits: aceshowbiz
Working in a boring secretarial job, Julie Powell gained a brilliant idea of spicing up her life with a challenge inspired by her friend who started a blog. With the constant push coming from her husband, Eric, she opened up a blog with a name: The Julie/Julia Project, Nobody here but us servantless American cooks. This project then will make her post constantly within 365 days and cook her way the entire 536 recipes from Julia Child's classic book within the four corners of her small kitchen in Queens.
Blogging and earning fans, Julie found herself developing a sense of "me, me" attitude and eventually caused conflict with her husband. This, fortunately, was resolved when she realized her fault and humbled herself to call him and return home. After recovering from all the meltdowns and discouragements, she was found by New York Times and this opened up to a lot of opportunities, including writing a book.
Julie and Julia Movie Review
Image credits: imdb
Realistic, relatable and inspirational, this is how I like the movie, the director, Nora Ephron brought Meryl Streep's natural gleeful acting and the repulsive, sometimes a little under mature plays of Amy Adams. Remarkably, this was Ephron's last directed movie before her death.
Sometimes, I found some scenes were not really needed for the movie's but I believe they did so to lengthen the storyline, there were certainly supposed to be funny scenes too which were not very much fun for me like that of the lobster cooking part. Anyway, they may perhaps be corny but that's probably just how the director wants it to be.
Image credits: movieweb
Also, I somehow find that the ending part where Julie thought Julia hates her was never given a clarification. I don't know if Julie really means that, I hope that was cleared during the movie.
Women empowerment has been regarded highly in the movie especially on getting done what the protagonists had set for themselves while bringing out the best of versions of themselves from the process.
Do you support women's empowerment?
Relateable Parts of the Movie
Cooking
The movie though focuses on the beauty of cooking, it has also given the viewers the notion that although most of the cooking industry has been dominated by men, women are also capable of creating their own name in the line of cooking.
Image credits: media.spokesman
It is also a reminder for those who are like me, those individuals who don't really know how to cook that the subject can be learned.
Penpals
Image credits: francesdinkelspiel
Throughout Julie's storyline, the name Avis has been repeated for several times. Eventually, she was the key to Julie's fame. Avis was her penpal, someone she never met her life until she decided to create a book.
It was pretty nostalgic how I also receive letters from my good penpal friends. It was always nice to receive stamped envelopes with handwritten or typed stories by a friend who is some miles away.
Blogging
Image credits: vaguevisages
While there are already several blogs being turned into films, the story of Julie and Julie was the first major motion picture based on a blog.
Being a blogger, I can totally relate to Julie's feelings every single time she gets a comment. Most especially when she gained a good following and she's starting to receive gifts from her fans.
Photography
Image credits: newstalk990
Paul, Julia's husband was a photographer, he even had an exhibit during the first parts of the movie and his black and white photographs were on a display on those scenes of the movie.
It makes me want to relate that to my husband who also loves photography. I guess it is really important for a couple to have other hobbies apart from our full-time work. It is critical in the work-life balance.
Support System Matters
Image credits: aceshowbiz
Although the movie is all about the women's strengths, it is evident that the main characters won't be able to do whatever they ought to do without the constant inspiration, uplift and push coming from their partners who were their support systems.
Both Julie and Julia had husbands who continuously gave them encouraging and confirming words that they can do whatever they want to do and that everything will be alright.
Remarkable Lines
Video credits: Movieclips via YouTube
"You are the butter to my bread and breath to my life." - Paul Child
"Is there anything better than butter? You can never have too much butter." - Julie Powell
Julie: Do you really think am a bitch?
Friend: Well, yeah... but who isn't?
Julie: Julia!Home is wherever we are! - Paul Child
I was drowning and she pulled me out of the ocean. - Julie Powell
Thanks a lot for reading! What kind of movies do you like?
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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast.
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.
