Thoughts on "Julie and Julia"

Meryl Streep and Amy Adams star as famous chef Julia Child and lonely blogger Julie Powell (inspired to cook by Julia the former) in director/writer Nora Ephron’s “Julie and Julia.” The film’s dual stories are equal in their lightness, but not in their quality. The Julia Child segments are much more entertaining than the Julie Powell segments, mainly due to Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci’s wonderful performances. It is so much fun to watch two great veteran actors create such a believable chemistry. The same, however, cannot be said of Amy Adams and Chris Messina’s relationship – which feels less genuine and too over-the-top. But their relationship is not the film’s only problem. Unfortunately, this cinematic soufflé is a tad overcooked. Since the film’s subject matter is so light and frothy, one wishes Ephron would have kept the film at a brisk ninety minutes. Unfortunately, “Julie and Julia” overstays its welcome and suffers from a third act that lacks any dramatic tension. In conclusion, if “Julie and Julia” would have taken out some ingredients, it may have been a cinematic gourmet. However, the film’s fluffy – if somewhat enjoyable – excesses prevent it from being so.

B-