Let Me Entertain You :: Julie & Julia
Posted by Alli on August 6, 2009
Earlier this summer Damon emailed me a link to a movie trailer. It was for, Julie and Julia, a movie based on the book of the same name. He thought, since I was a blogger, I would know about it. Truth was, I had no idea about the blog or the book, let alone the movie.
I watched the trailer and immediately started digging around the internet. I was interested because it incorportated blogging, food, and Julia Child. I figured I owed the book a read before I saw the movie (and based on the trailer, I was going to see the movie).
I went a step further and suggested the book as a summer read to my mom and sisters. They all agreed and I immediately put Julie and Julia on hold at the library.
The Book
I really, really enjoyed Julie and Julia
In some ways I felt like I related to Julie Powell. Maybe it was because I used to be in a job I disliked and blogging gave me a relief from feeling soul-less. I enjoyed the descriptions of her cooking but was equally, if not more, interested in her behind the scenes glimpses of her blog. The roles her husband and her mother played in the adventure added just enough balance to keep Julie Powell from possibly going to the nuthouse for her ambition. The community of readers she developed should be proud to have been a part of helping Julie Powell succeed in such a way.
I also enjoyed Julia’s descriptions of Julia Child’s life before going to cooking school. While I think the book could have stood without them, the vignettes enhanced the parallel between Julia Child’s journey and Julie Powell’s. I would have hoped for more, since Julia Child is such an interesting character, but I might just go get Julia’s book
The Movie
When I first watched the trailer, I knew the movie was based on the book, but could tell there were scenes on screen that were probably not in the book. Since I hadn’t read it yet, I couldn’t be sure, but some glimpses looked made up.
Now that I’ve read the book, I know the movie takes liberties and includes fabrications. But I’m ok with that. I’m excited to see the Julia Child storyline (even if her friends weren’t) since I wish there had been more in the book. I’m also looking forward to seeing the food, since it is as much a character in the book as Julie’s husband.
At the beginning of the summer, when I suggested the book to my mom and sisters, I wished there was some way we could all come together to see the movie together as well. And I didn’t think it would get to come true! Due to Sarah-Ginny’s new niece getting baptized on Sunday (at our church), it has created a rare moment in time where all three sisters will be in the same city for the same weekend. And we are hoping (cross your fingers) we can all ditch our husbands and kids for a few hours to just be sisters and enjoy the movie together (sorry, Mom!).
Disclosure: links to Amazon contain affiliate links.
[tags]Julie and Julia, summer reading, summer movie, Julia Child, Julie Powell[/tags]
RT said,
I suppose I need to give this book another try! I felt like the author was so whiny that I had a really hard time getting into it—so I finally set it aside. Also, there’s a chance I was looking for more of a chef book, less of a personal angst story from Julie. At any rate, I think the movie looks wonderful and I can’t wait to see it. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams? Yes, please!
.-= RT´s last blog ..Shiloh at 6 Months =-.
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