# Julie and Julia **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028 "2009-07-23T19:31:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/21 "2009-07-25T01:08:37Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Jesus, haven’t any of you people seen **Enchanted**? **Junebug**? **Mrs. Pettigrew Lives For A Day**? **Catch Me If You Can**? **Sunshine Cleaning**? **Doubt**? Lordamitey, it’s AMY FUCKING ADAMS! I’d see it for her even if Meryl weren’t in it. Her portion of the movie will be wonderful, just because it’s Amy Adams. What, you’re not going to mention Cruel Intentions 2? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/22 "2009-07-25T01:25:44Z")
I’m in a good mood because I just watched that joyous dancing-down-the-aisle wedding video, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume it’s a joke, and not an attempt to disparage Amy Adams based on movies she did when she was first starting out. That movie was made 2 years before Catch Me If You Can, which was her first big break (Junebug was her second). Adams is now a two-time Oscar nominee (for Junebug and Doubt), and I’m sure if you looked at all Oscar nominees/winners, you’d find almost all of them (Meryl Streept excepted) got their starts in low budget/stinky films. I’ll assume the joke, because if you were going to beat her down, you probably would have chosen [Psycho Beach Party](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0206226/). I kinda want to see that though. It looks like it could be fun. ---
**Author:** ![Suse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Suse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/23 "2009-07-25T01:30:59Z")
I never understood Julie Powell’s reasoning for the project in the first place, other than I think it was just to have something to do. I did enjoy the book though and have read it several times for the descriptions of cooking and the stories of Julia’s past. I hope I enjoy the movie as much as I have enjoyed the book, and with Meryl Streep playing Julia Child, I suspect I will. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/24 "2009-07-25T02:19:27Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Last week’s New Yorker profiled Nora Ephron, who wrote (??) and directed the movie. Frankly it sounds delightful…although (I think it was this article; I’ve read a couple) they stated that the Streep/Child/France aspects of it are far more engaging vs. Adams/Julie/Queens part of it - not as a comment on the acting, more that watching the “emergence of Julia Child as a cooking legend” is a “better” story vs. a woman trying to cook through Julia’s book in a year as a way to connect more to her family… I really like Nora Ephron. Even more reason for me to watch it! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/25 "2009-07-25T02:22:49Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I’m in a good mood because I just watched that joyous dancing-down-the-aisle wedding video Wasn’t that just the cutest thing? I linked to it over in MPSIMS. I think if ever I’m in a bad mood, that’s one video to watch. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/26 "2009-07-25T03:31:10Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Wasn’t that just the cutest thing? I linked to it over in MPSIMS. I think if ever I’m in a bad mood, that’s one video to watch. That was great. It was cool that everybody cooperated. They must be Manhattanites. 😉 I saw the couple interviewed on tv. They were cute together. I wish them well. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/27 "2009-07-25T03:42:46Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I’m in a good mood because I just watched that joyous dancing-down-the-aisle wedding video, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume it’s a joke, and not an attempt to disparage Amy Adams based on movies she did when she was first starting out. That movie was made 2 years before Catch Me If You Can, which was her first big break (Junebug was her second). Adams is now a two-time Oscar nominee (for Junebug and Doubt), and I’m sure if you looked at all Oscar nominees/winners, you’d find almost all of them (Meryl Streept excepted) got their starts in low budget/stinky films. > > I’ll assume the joke, because if you were going to beat her down, you probably would have chosen [Psycho Beach Party](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0206226/). I kinda want to see that though. It looks like it could be fun. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize jokes were not allowed in Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/28 "2009-07-25T04:58:09Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ll assume the joke, because if you were going to beat her down, you probably would have chosen Psycho Beach Party. I kinda want to see that though. It looks like it could be fun. Heck, if we were going to make fun of her, we’d use _Talladega Nights_ or _Underdog_. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/29 "2009-07-25T08:00:41Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Heck, if we were going to make fun of her, we’d use _Talladega Nights_ or _Underdog_. Hey, I really liked **Talladega Nights**. A lot! I thought it was hilarious, but strangely enough, as big an Amy Adams fan as I am, I have no memory of her in the movie. I need to see it again one of these days. I mainly remember laughing a lot, and thinking, oooh, NASCAR people aren’t going to like this because it makes fun of them, and sophisticates aren’t going to like it because they’ll think it’s just a dumb comedy and won’t go see it, and that Sasha Baron Cohen was brilliant (it was the first thing I saw him in). And **Underdog** was cute and enjoyable enough. I had a good time. [QUOTE=Erdosain] I’m sorry, I didn’t realize jokes were not allowed in Cafe Society. [/QUOTE] Huh? I said I thought you were joking. That’s fine with me. I would have only had a problem with you if you were trying to diss Amy based on parts early in her career. That’s not cool. Not because it’s Amy, but because almost ALL actors go through that ‘take anything to learn the craft/make contacts/build up a resume/demo reel/get face time/try and earn rent money’ phase early on. But I came to the conclusion that you were joking, and not dissing, so what’s your problem? **Ivylass** , it is wonderful! I was laughing, smiling, and teary at the same time. I don’t even like the music (especially being by a guy who beats up women) or weddings, and it still affected me and I love it! It’s just one of things I love but can’t explain why, except that it’s just so much fun. I first saw the wedding video [linked on Huffington Post](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/24/amazing-wedding-ceremony_n_244241.html). It had an interview with the couple too. For those who don’t go into MPSIMS or Huffington, [here’s a direct YouTube link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0). It’s been up for less than a week, and it already has 3 and a half million views! ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/30 "2009-07-25T09:44:33Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > But then we wouldn’t get a movie with both the legendary Meryl Streep (who’s great at playing comedy) AND the truly wonderful Amy Adams. Jesus, haven’t any of you people seen **Enchanted**? **Junebug**? **Mrs. Pettigrew Lives For A Day**? **Catch Me If You Can**? **Sunshine Cleaning**? **Doubt**? Lordamitey, it’s AMY FUCKING ADAMS! I’d see it for her even if Meryl weren’t in it. Her portion of the movie will be wonderful, just because it’s Amy Adams. > > And Meryl Streep not totally brilliant and the best actress who ever lived? Huh. Does Not Compute. I am totally psyched to see this movie because who could make Julia Child more fascinating than Meryl Streep? I just hope she saves the liver. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/31 "2009-07-25T21:24:33Z")
> [@Suse](#): > > I never understood Julie Powell’s reasoning for the project in the first place, other than I think it was just to have something to do. I think Powell had plenty to do, but none of it was stuff she had any power or control over. That was the problem–she was starting to feel like a cipher, a figurehead in her own life. Her days were spent listening to people whose lives had been turned upside down by 9/11 without having any power or authority to help any of them, and she’d just found out she was probably incapable of doing something most people are able to do by accident. She couldn’t magic up any power or authority at work, she couldn’t magic away her _syndrome_, but this…this she had control over. It was hers, she was in charge, and what she said went. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/32 "2009-07-25T21:58:38Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I think Powell had plenty to do, but none of it was stuff she had any power or control over. That was the problem–she was starting to feel like a cipher, a figurehead in her own life. Her days were spent listening to people whose lives had been turned upside down by 9/11 without having any power or authority to help any of them, and she’d just found out she was probably incapable of doing something most people are able to do by accident. She couldn’t magic up any power or authority at work, she couldn’t magic away her _syndrome_, but this…this she had control over. It was hers, she was in charge, and what she said went. Mediocre books have become great movies. Amy Adams will be able to make Powell empathetic and sweet and draw us into her quest. She’s a great actress as well as a “movie star” - someone you fall in love with two hours. I get the feeling Streep won’t be playing Julia Child, but Powell’s imaginary version of Julia Child. Child had a fascinating life, but sadly that’s not enough to get a movie made…or at least it hasn’t been enough for the last 40 years or so since she entered the public eye. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/33 "2009-07-25T22:21:55Z")
Following up. I didn’t mean to call “Julie and Julia” a mediocre book. I’ve not read it. It was meant to be the start of something about how the wonderful _The Devil Wears Prada_ film came from the mediocre and whiny book of the same name. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/34 "2009-07-25T23:04:47Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Following up. I didn’t mean to call “Julie and Julia” a mediocre book. I’ve not read it. It was meant to be the start of something about how the wonderful _The Devil Wears Prada_ film came from the mediocre and whiny book of the same name. Dang it, **gaffa** , I was going to jump on you for that and you beat me to it ;). While not a masterpiece, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read on maybe three levels. And it is, I dunno, amateurish enough to be refreshing. Of course if anyone sees you reading it now, their going to ask “Wasn’t that a wonderful movie?”. I recomment the book anyway. I hope I can find my copy. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/35 "2009-07-25T23:49:32Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Dang it, **gaffa** , I was going to jump on you for that and you beat me to it ;). While not a masterpiece, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read on maybe three levels. And it is, I dunno, amateurish enough to be refreshing. > Of course if anyone sees you reading it now, their going to ask “Wasn’t that a wonderful movie?”. > I recomment the book anyway. I hope I can find my copy. This has inspired me to create a IMHO topic [“Blogs that would make enjoyable books and movies?”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11377164) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/36 "2009-07-26T02:22:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Hey, I really liked Talladega Nights. A lot! I thought it was hilarious, but strangely enough, as big an Amy Adams fan as I am, I have no memory of her in the movie. I need to see it again one of these days. I mainly remember laughing a lot, and thinking, oooh, NASCAR people aren’t going to like this because it makes fun of them, and sophisticates aren’t going to like it because they’ll think it’s just a dumb comedy and won’t go see it, and that Sasha Baron Cohen was brilliant (it was the first thing I saw him in). Adams was Susan the “beautiful/ugly” personal assistant who had the crush on Ricky Bobby and ended up with him after his wife Carley left him. I hope nobody required a spoiler warning. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/37 "2009-07-26T02:39:46Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I’d prefer to see a movie of just Julia; the movie combines not only the cooker/blogger’s book but also Child’s autobiography, _My Life in France_. Frankly, there’s enough material in her life, that of a OSS wartime worker turned chef, to carry a movie on its own. Agreed. I think I’d rather just see a biopic on Julia Child. The way it’s set up, it feels less bio-picy and more cutesy chick flicky. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028/38 "2009-07-26T02:58:07Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Agreed. I think I’d rather just see a biopic on Julia Child. The way it’s set up, it feels less bio-picy and more cutesy chick flicky. PBS ran a bio documentary on Julia pretty much covering her life. It was very interseting. The support of her husband was a huge factor in her success, IIRC. I [think](http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/child_j.html) this is it. We can have both, you see! Serious _and_ cutesy. I’ve pretty much accepted Julia’s death, and now my new true love is **Lidia Matticchio Bastianich**. Whew! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julie-and-julia/504028.md?page=1)