Julie & Julia

I watched this while Dan was at work (per his suggestion).  I was going to knit while watching this, but ended up putting down my knitting and just watching.

The basic plot is actually two plots--Julia Child's path to becoming a published cookbook author, and Julie Powell's year long project to cook through that cookbook and blog about it.

The film is rate PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality.  "Some sensuality" meaning that every once in while, the married couples start kissing and then start moving horizontal, but the lights go out or the scene changes before things get to far--there is one scene with people in their underwear, but it's not BAD.  (I did cover Emily's eyes, so I wasn't watching too closely).

The stories are enthralling, and Meryl Streep does an exceptional job as Julia Child.  She sounds just like her.  And she plays a willful, fun, and endearing Julia Child, that you just have to adore.  I especially, maybe because I am a mom, loved how they addressed Julia not having kids.  In one example of this, she turns to look at a baby pass by, and gets really sad, and her husband kisses her hand.  I had missed what she turned to look at because I was knitting, and had to rewind.  (I had thought maybe he had looked at some pretty woman passing by, because they were talking about how they loved Paris, and then she was upset).  It was another reason you had to like Julia, because she was so happy, but deep inside she hurt.

Julie is a more urban, slightly jaded and rough-around-the edges character, a real "New-Yorker."  She wants to be a writer, but couldn't get her novel published, and uses her blog as a way to start writing again, and a way to deal with her not-so-successful life.

It was a good chick movie.  I am not sure if guys would like it.  It does have lots of food, but mostly French food, and lots of the movie revolves around relationships.  So, if you want to watch something heartwarming, watch this.  Especially if you like to cook.