Julie and Julia

Julie and Julia
Directed by Nora Ephron
Starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci

A film that parallels Julia Child's education in French cooking with Julie Powell's 2002 Blog challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book. This is a very clever film adapted from two memoirs, Ephron is in total control here writing and directing; its flawless and the performances are top-notch.

Amy Adams character has a terrific arc; she loses her mind and we believe her, we share her anxiety, watch her overcome by fear of failure and feelings of inadequacy. Streep is brilliant as usual and she nails Julia Child so accurately its hard to imagine the real Julia without seeing Meryl's face - like Val Kilmer's 'Jim Morrison'.

Tucci plays the husband of Julia Child; he loves her, encourages her, never loses sight in her potential. The two love stories in the film are worlds apart and this contrast makes for stimulating comparisons; of course the paths never cross even though there is a chance they might and we hope the do. It's masterful film-making, inspiring and heart warming; we see two women overcome fear by challenging themselves, in the end creating inspiration for others. Ephron hits a home run.

I loved this movie so much, it moved me, had me in stitches and tears. The music, production design and cinematography are all excellent in this half period, half modern day comedy. A must see, must own.