As a self-professed foodie, I was really looking forward to seeing the film "Julie and Julia" which details the lives of Julie Powell and Julia Child.  Julie Powell is a 20something New Yorker who had lost her way; she had written an unpublished novel and all but abandoned her aspirations to become a successul writer as she wiled away in her tiny cubicle working as customer service represenative.  All the while she was working an unfulfilling deadend job, her careerist friends were gloating and reveling in their nouveau riche successes.  After hearing that her friend started a successful blog, she decided to do one of her own.  She concocts the idea to document the trials and tribulations of cooking her way through Julia Child's 500+ recipes in 365 days, a herculean task for anyone, let alone someone working full-time.

The film masterfully jumps between Julie Powell's life in New York and Julia Child's life in Paris as she attends Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, travels with her husband, and begins compiling the very book that Julie Powell has decided to tackle.  Just like Julie, Julia is also lost, and is searching for something to occupy her time.  She considers hat-making, but then realizes she likes it, but doesn't love it.  During this process her husband always says, "Well, what do you really love?" and responds, "I love to eat."  I can completely relate to this part in the film, because when people ask me why I started cooking, and I always respond that "I'm an eater first, a cook second"

It is interesting to see how both struggle mightily in order to achieve their respective goals.  Julie has various meltdowns where she drops food all over the floor, burns food, etc, while Julia fights with one of her collaborators, gets rejected by a publisher, and almost gives up on the entire process of endeavoring to get her masterpiece published.  For both Julie and Julia, cooking allowed both to find their passion, their vocation; in a way, cooking replaces the role of religion for these two women, instead of "born-again-Christians" they become "born-again-chefs." 

I truly and thorougly enjoyed the film - maybe I'm a bit biased as I run an online blog here that includes cooking videos as a primary segment, but I definitely recommend it, and would see it a second time.  The only slight quibble that I have is with the ending, which is a bit abrupt.  It almost felt like the film-makers didn't know exactly how to conclude the film, and so they arbitrarily chose a random point to conclude it. 

10/05/2009

Peter Adonis: Thanks Kelli, I'm glad that it is worth coming back to check out. I really put a lot of work into the blog, so that everyone can learn from it. -Peter Adonis

10/04/2009

Kelli Garner: I enjoy this site, it is worth me coming back

09/01/2009

Pecs Admirer: I saw the movie too and loved it. I must admit watching you in the kitchen is a bit more interesting though.

08/22/2009

Leah: Thanks for posting the review! I am looking forward to seeing this movie!!

08/16/2009

LoveIT: I loved the movie, and your review of it, thanks for sharing your thoughts

08/14/2009

Cadge: I am so impressed by your movie review. I'm going to see the movie this weekend.

08/13/2009

Dimitris: Greetings from Greece !!! Thanks for sharing Pete, your work here in the blog is amazing, but most of all you 're a multi-talented man and I am proud you have Greek blood in those veins running - quite bulgy veins indeed!!! Your training advices are valuable but I really love your cooking videos and I plan to follow your advices since I have some kilos to get rid myself :) Also as a cinefil I dare to suggest the Greek film "Politiki Kouzina" by Tassos Boulmetis - quite unhealthy oriental style couzine but the movie is a masterpiece I am looking forward to read one of your poems soon Thanks again Dimitris

08/11/2009

Delilah: I'm excited to see the movie now. Please keep doing what you do, you are great!!!!!!!!!!!!