Friday, October 16, 2009

Julie & Julia ... and me

Tonight husby and I had a date. We went for dinner to a local cafe and then a movie at our local cinema! Except of course, husby was late for dinner (he blamed the new train timetables!) and then he fell asleep in the movie...(thank goodness I noticed and woke him before he started snoring!)

But I loved it! Julie & Julia. Wonderful movie. Exactly the sort of movie I like to see at the cinemas - good story, great characters, funny and entertaining, without being shallow or dumb. And of course it had a bit of extra meaning for me, because the book upon which the movie is partly based provided a shared inspiration for Bells and I in starting our Nigella blog. If it weren't for Julia Childs being in Paris and needing to do something, and ending up co-writing a cookbook, and providing the impetus for Julie Powell to start a blog about her experiences cooking her way through that book, which blog in turn became a book, which was read by Bells and I (are you still following?), then we would never have become such excellent friends!

I was especially pleased with the Julia side of the story, as it is vastly expanded on what was included in the book (because it comes from another book about Julia) - but she really did have a most interesting life, and approach to life - she really lived it! And apart from anything else, the movie covered a range of unexpected things in small but significant ways, in particular McCarthyism.

Since Julia and her husband Paul lived until they were in their 90s, husby has decided we should also buy Mastering the Art of French Cooking and ensure we slather all food in butter, because, hello, it can't be bad for you, can it??!!

13 comments:

Bells said...

some excellent points here - most obvious really, that we are friends because of this book/movie!

And husby is right - all that butter, bring it on!

Donna Lee said...

I liked the movie much more than I thought I would. I liked the relationship between Julia and Paul. That was love all the way.

Lea said...

oh yes that movie is on the list of things to do. Isn't it wonderful it founded a great friendship

LynS said...

I really enjoyed the movie too - I particularly love the way that Julia looms over everyone and everything.

The cookbooks (there's 2 volumes) are great favourites of mine from the 70s. They're unique in the way they guide you through every minute step you might ever need to have explained. Quite different from Elizabeth David who was so influential for English and consequently Australian cooking.

2paw said...

I do indeed follow your intricate line of thinking!!!A serendipitous Meeting of the Minds and Cook Books. I heard on the radio today that Meryl wore very high tottery heels and was surrounded by quite short actors so she seemed as tall as Julia!!

MadMad said...

Oh, definitely! Cheers to butter! Sounds like a great night! I can't wait to see the movie... have just started the book! (I am sooooo behind on things...!)

Shazmina Bendi said...

Have you seen the drama on Elizabeth David? She was the English version of Julia (and around in the 40's to 60's) and brought, French & meditteranean cooking to British homes. I saw it on the ABC (it is a BBC drama)before I moved here and she was an amazing person as well. And the food and how she wrote about it was genius! YOu and Bells would love it!

Anonymous said...

How can French cooking be bad for you? They're all so glamorous and skinny! Glad you enjoyed the movie.

TinkingBell said...

I love french food and would love to see the movie (sadly I was too busy buying WM last night to go to the pictures-----MWAH!!)

Bells said...

Shazmina I saw that show about Elizabeth David. It was so good! There's a strong link I think between Julia and Elizabeth!

Unknown said...

I like the way that man of yours thinks!

Lynne said...

Well, that's his excuse and he's sticking to it! LOL

I have to add that movie to my list!

kim said...

I've been dying to see this movie for months. I think I'll end up waiting for Netflix. Alas...