Sunday, September 13, 2009

For the love of Julia Child - in appreciation of Julie & Julia

Yes! its been over a month since THE RELEASE(Julie and Julia) and it's a movie that is running very successfully! and no, I haven't stopped talking about and probably never will!

I am absolutely in love with Julia and Meryl Streep's near perfect portrayal of her. There is simplicity, humor and a certain charm that makes this movie have the effect of a warm donut in chocolate sauce.After compiling the responses of friends who have watched this movie, I must say they were left feeling the following:
  • Very hungry-complete recall of all the delightful and perfect food that becomes the essence of the movie
  • Weather transforms to a balmy romantic night where there's a song on your lips and the smiles of a stranger would seem like an extension of the warmth that envelops you
  • Passion overflows- the search for the absolute love of life resumes.All the dull, boring routines don't seem like a burden anymore as the higher purpose beckons!
Yes, Julia invites you to a world that is cheerful, familiar and innocent! An old world yesteryear movie appeal blankets you.

It is a story of two remarkable women- Julia Child every bit a legend who brought French cooking to a serventless America (a term she coined herself, while looking for ways to present her cookbook) along with her ingenious and supportive husband Paul Child who played multiple roles in making a success of her passion for cooking and TV show. He could've gotten himself a business methods patent in the present times for his inventiveness in preparing part of the dish before the show. This was a first in the history of food television.

The other central character of the movie is the author of the book Julie &Julia-Julie Powell who took on the daunting task of making 512 recipes in a year. As indicated by her, she had a regular existence as a Government servant whose writing career went nowhere and was freaking as the thirty year age mark approached. At this juncture in life, she found the Julie Julia project gave her strength, sustenance and a responsibility to make every day newer through the recipes she replicated. Isn't that one heck of a storyline - a story in a story to inspire another. That's the effect it will have on you.

About the acting- The effervescent Julia Child can only be played by one of the greatest living actresses Meryl Streep! She gained 15 pounds to play the rule of Julia and had to wear very high heels throughout the filming as the real Julia towered at a 6 ft 2''. Meticulous as she is, Meryl has perfected the lilt in Julia's voice and makes it as authentic that friends who watched the original Julia child swear that she was perfect. Is there a higher benchmark for the woman with the highest number of Oscar nominations?Maybe not, only the next nomination would say!

The movie also left me with a thought, about our love for food,every Indian's love for wood. If Bollywood would cash in on our craze for food and make an inspired version of this movie(apparently a first movie on a blog) would the movie be called Tarla aur Sarla in honour of our cooking legend Tarla Dalal or would there be a spin and dramatisation of the story a possible East west masala where the movie would be Indra aur Sandra after the popular food blogger Indra of Mahanandi fame http://www.themahanandi.org/ whose blog has become the quintessential guide to many Americans interested in Indian cuisine?

Warning! many such questions may spin in your head after watching this movie! Do not deprive yourself - Bon Appetit!

PS: A video with Julie Powell

2 comments:

Raj Jayaram said...

Very well written. Has actually made me want to see the movie!

kaaya's said...

U must and you will enjoy it :)