Director-Nora Ephron
SEE.
Okay. Brace yourselves. I actually read the book upon which this movie is based. (I know, I know. The world as you know it has ended.) I was empowered by Julie Powell's book. She inspired me to cook food with no fear. She inspired me to write a blog. She inspired me to take chances. Powell's book was funny and touching. She wove a great story of how love and success can overcome personal failure and self-doubt as we travelled down her culinary path with Julia Child. Through it all, Julie Powell's foibles and faults were made more charming by her use of Julia Child's life and letters as a way to make sense of all the ups and downs of Powell's own life.
That said, no one I know who saw the film version of Julie and Julia has any regard for Julie Powell as a character. I will stress the character part because, hell, I don't personally know Julie Powell. Maybe she is not the sniveling, screaming, crying, wimpy basketcase-from-hell who stumbled upon phenomenal success by cooking from a cookbook (gotta love America) and writing a blog about it as she is portrayed by Amy Adams. (God help her husband if she is.) I'm sorry. Did that sound bitter? There is literally not a shred of sympathy to be scraped up for the film's Julie Powell. We just want to punch her. This is a shame, because I truly believe that the woman who found success in the world, the woman who wrote the book has more substance to her than we ever see in the movie. Nora Ephron cheated Julie Powell of that depth to focus on the crowning Julia of the movie-Julia Child.
Who wouldn't want to focus on Meryl Streep? She brings Julia Child to life with a vivaciousness that makes it impossible not to love Julia Child. Hard damn competition for Ms. Powell. Even in the face of failure, Streep's Child does not fully cower. She certainly does not fall into a sobbing heap over a chicken like Ms. Powell. She is absolutely heroic in her approach to life which is absolutely what Julie Powell discovered in her quest to bake, broil and braise her way through Child's cookbook. Sad that Nora Ephron and Amy Adams couldn't make Ms. Powell's character and quest something to which the audience could aspire. I guess we'll have to leave it to Ms. Powell's book instead. (I know, I know. Shocking. Read a book? What the hell?)
EAT.
C'mon. You can do this. Even if you can't boil water. You gotta try. That's what these stories are about. Conquer your fear. Take life by the lobster tails. Cook yourself something. It doesn't have to be from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. (If it is be sure you have a fire extinguisher handy.) Make yourself something simple then sit back and bask in the glow of a good meal. To help you get there...
SHOP.
No idea how one learns to cook online, but rest assured, if it needs doing, you can find it on the web. Slice and dice yourself proud (but not bloody please) at http://www.cookingdude.com/ or http://www.chef2chef.net/learn-to-cook/ or http://www.fooddoneright.com/online-cooking-school/. Bon appetit! (Maybe you should get the fire extinguisher just in case.)
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