“HALF-BAKED”
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Linda Emond Simone Beck, and Jane Lynch
Directed by: Nora Ephron
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality
Genre: Comedy
By John Delia
Well, if you are thinking you are going to see a great cooking show, you are dead wrong. Julie & Julia is a comedy laced with dramatic performances by two fine actresses. Showcasing her talent, Meryl Streep steals the show as the lovable Julia Child. Warning! Men however, may not have a great time with the film, as it tends to be a self-centered un-abashed chick flick.
Based on two books, “Julie & Julia” by Julie Powell and “My Life in France” by Julia Child, the film blends the two stories which take place decades apart into a smooth production. The film centers on both Julie (Adams) and Julia (Streep) and kicks off with a quest, a challenge by Julie to cook all 524 recipes from Julia’s cookbook.
Sometimes dramatic and often funny we are treated to a fly on the wall view of the two as they trudge through their lives trying to be ordinary people. What Julia brings to the screen is her interesting and comical rise in the cooking world and one of television’s most recognized icons.
On the flip side of the coin we see Julie writing a blog on the Internet in which she chronicles her exploits while making another meal from Julia’s book. Having fun with the ingredients, causing her husband question her motives and gaining attention from book editors, Julie’s world becomes quite challenging.
The acting and direction in the film are good, but the storyline gets a little too self-aggrandizing for me. Yes, the
two separate lives are quite interesting, but a pinch more of meaningful drama and a cup or two of Julia’s TV cooking would have been better.
The MPAA rating for the film is PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality, but it doesn’t add anything to the film except lure more older folks thinking they are going to see a more adult flick.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A chick flick that even the women may feel is half-baked. (3 of 5 Palm Trees)