Sunday, August 9, 2009

Julie and Julia

Julie and Julia is all over the place. I think the PR crew did quite the job because everywhere I look, every talk show, every magazine has an interview or a review, or some other type of promotion for the movie.

I picked up the book in Borders early in the summer and was immediately roped in. I would go to Borders whenever I was bored, sit in the in-store cafe and read. I loved it and the fact that Julie Powell had started with a food blog only added to the appeal. I folded down just the very tip of the page I was on, and stashed the book away from its display in a remote corner shelf where I could find it, untouched every time.

Unfortunately, summer reading and summer work got in the way and I haven't picked up the book in a while. I have been very much looking forward to seeing the movie however, especially after reading countless reviews of "Streep's masterful portrayal of Child," from such critics as Time Magazine and well, my mom. I rarely go out to see movies. Very few appeal to me. I'm not into the action stuff (hated Transformers 2), and I absolutely cannot watch horror movies. Julie and Julia however, seems to be just my thing ;) My only problem is that I'm having trouble finding a friend who feels the same to come see it with me.

A few days ago my mom proudly declared that in the spirit of Julia Child she would make beef bourguignon from Mastering the Art of French Cooking for dinner. I smirked. My mom making beef bourguignon by herself! yea right! But I told myself that I would leave this to her as I sat down to work on my summer English essay. About 15 minutes after she had started cooking, I walked through the kitchen to get a sharpened pencil and saw she was running into trouble. She didn't really know what she was doing. I, partly to procrastinate on my assignment, partly to help my mom, and partly because I love to cook, took over. I brought in the big guns (my dutch oven; she had planned on using a casserole), rendering the bacon then thoroughly browning the beef, cooking the mirepoix, deglazing and finally putting the mixture into a 325 degree oven. I then went back to my essay.

Now my mom probably saw this as just another time that I helped her out in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, saw the situation slightly more metaphorically. My helping her was not unlike Julia helping Julie. My mom was Julie Powell, I was Julia Child. Julie, unhappy and lacking direction in life, sought guidance from Julia and with Julia's help, went from lack of direction to a life of happiness and vigor- basically what I've done for my mom- making me the equivalent of Julia Child.

Am I being serious about all this? Course not. What is serious however, is my desire to see Julie and Julia...

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

18 comments:

PropertyKoncepts said...

hi she is very good for everyone i like it

Maria said...

It was a great movie. The husbands made it for me - perfectly cast.

Also, of course: the incredible food and styling - Spungen did an incredible job with it.

j blair brown said...

Just came across your blog and had to write. Seems we have some things in common: I'm anxious to see Julie & Julia (and Streep's performance), too. AND I also saw Transformers2 - and didn't like that at all either. (We must be the only 2 in America to speak out about the film.)

But that's where similarities end. I'm a "pushing-50" African American woman, and NOT AT ALL a cook.

But I do live in Pennsylvania.

Keep writing! And check out my blogs sometimes if you can find the time.

http://greatfooddivas.wordpress.com/

http://jbfreelancewriter.wordpress.com/

JBrown

Alexandra said...

OMG! I want to see this movie so bad and all my friends have made fun of me for wanting to. If we lived in the same state we should so go see it together!

Mandoline said...

You are so funny and a great writer. When does YOUR book come out? Congratulations on BEST of PHILLY!

Kyle Albert said...

No offense, but is there any reason you couldn't have bought the book from borders? Or even checked it out from the library? Folding down pages and putting the book where no one could find it seems like a couple steps away from stealing it.

Jumper said...

Funny! You crack me up with this one. Keep up the good work.

Shannon said...

i cant wait to see julie and julia but like you none of my friends want to go see it! i have been meaning to pick up the books but havent gotten over to a bookstore

Katelyn said...

Haha. My friends wouldn't see it with me, either, so I saw it alone. I was probably the only teenager in a packed theater, but it was so worth it. But, there was a little too much Julie and not enough Julia, I think.

Your boef bourguignon looks delicious. :]

Tags said...

Dude, you get a couple awards and go all metaphysical and philosophical on us.

Keep up the good work.

James said...

Parents. Pah - they have so much to learn!

Joy said...

Congrats on the blog feature and your Best of Philly! I saw the movie last Friday and loved it, although I really would have loved more of Julia. Having read My Life in France made the movie funnier for me. :)

Like you, I had a hard time finding someone to watch it with me! My friends are hardly foodies. A pregnant, hungry friend volunteered to see it with me. Yay.

Food, she thought. said...

I love your ninja-stealth reading technique.

Anonymous said...

JUST GO SEE THE MOVIE!!! don't wait for someone to go with you. It is a great movie-I enjoyed it so very much :) enjoy your post :)

Anonymous said...

Keep on writing.

Check out this review.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4791-SF-International-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Film-Review-Julie--Julia


AT

Amy said...

First of all, i love your blog... I've been reading it for a while but I never posted. Secondly, I want to see Julie and Julia too... and I'm a teen. I'm pretty sure none of my friends would see it with me but I live in Philly and would be happy to see it with you.

Samantha said...

My guess is you could get any girl your age to go with you ;)

Great job with all the publicity as well! :)

The Wright Family said...

Loved the movie and thought of your blog when I watched it. Wondered when your movie, book, or TV show would be starting. You are an amazing young man. I'm so glad you share your talent with the world.