There is always a major question that comes into the creation of biographical pictures. How far do you go in the creation of a “character” when that character is a real person. This becomes even harder to do when that person is iconic in a way that has been influences, adapted, and even lampooned by popular culture. So to make them still human is a major accomplishment.
In the world of celebrity chefs there is nearly no one who comes close to matching the status of Julia Child (Meryl Streep). Child revolutionized the way cooking instruction was disseminated to the masses and became a culture all her own in the process. Her book has been widespread and her legacy keeps her a household name well beyond her lifetime.
What makes a movie like Julie & Julia so interesting is it is a double bio-pic. Julie Powell (Amy Adams) is also a real person and her story in this movie also happened. And this puts the work of the two titular characters at odds because their stories both have to show parallel arcs but also contrasting moments to help connect and differentiate them.
What makes this movie so interesting is how it showcases two women, 40 years apart, working to publish a book on something that brings them joy in life. Julia finds cooking is a purpose beyond her quaint passive life as a wife to a diplomat. Julie likewise finds herself stuck in a routine of dissatisfaction and uses Julia Child’s book to escape, thus connecting them, but showcasing the impact of Julia decades later.
The major problem that comes from this style of storytelling is it cuts the stakes of Julia’s story. We know the ending because we’re watching it affect someone in the future and that means that Streep, as the actor portraying Julia, has to do extra work to keep us invested. And that’s what makes this performance phenomenal because we do find ourselves taking that journey, even as we know the ending.
Everything comes together and makes this story shine, but truly without Streep giving Julia both the iconic portrayal we remember from pop culture but also a humanity to keep us interested in the story. This and her beautiful parallels with Adams’s take on Julie allows them both to work together to tell a delicate story and create a compelling movie.
So let’s breakdown this performance.
My criteria for judging each performance is as follows:
Intentions and Choices – What was Meryl doing as a performer and did it come across in a way that was interesting and compelling?
Physicality and Vocal Choices – Was there a select set of choices for Meryl’s posture, gestures, rhythms, accents, and all other physical aspects, and did they help add to the character or distract from it?
Character Backstory – Were there choices Meryl made that showed us secrets beyond the script or screen? Did those choices add to her work or were they something that took us out of the present story.
Stand Out Moments – What scenes from the movie worked the best, or worst, and how did those reflect on Meryl’s performance?
Overall Movie Quality – How is the movie outside of Meryl’s performance? Is it a brilliant work because of her, in spite of her, or is her performance the only thing that makes the movie redeemable?
So let’s break down Julia Child in Julie vs Julia:
Intentions and Choices – Meryl’s work in this movie gets lost in the impression. She focuses on making sure the iconic aspects of Julia Child come out and that has a level of neutralizing the aspects of full character development that she’s usually much better at. It’s still a strong performance but lacks some things it could have. (7/10)
Physicality and Vocal Choices – I mean this is one where she knocks it out of the park. Julia Child is such an iconic personality, and it takes a lot of practice to get her voice, mannerisms, and ultimately her presence right. Streep vanishes in more than one moment and it helps Julia child come to life again. (9/10)
Character Backstory – I think this is developed better than we may realize. It showcases a lot of deeper thoughts than could be given to a character in this sort of a journey and the conversations she has with Tucci are so well developed for both of them. (8/10)
Stand Out Moments – The whole sequence of Julia learning to cook and becoming the chef we think of it so fun to watch and it really allows Streep to show off some of her talent for developing over the course of a movie. It’s not astounding but it is a great set of moments. (7/10)
Overall Movie Quality – This movie is fine. I think the parts with Julia actually are the less interesting parts and it really seems to wander in places when it could press forward. But overall I enjoy it and think all the pieces work. (8/10)
Total Score: 39/50
Current Ranking:
The Devil Wears Prada
Kramer vs. Kramer
Doubt
The Deer Hunter
Postcards From the Edge
Sophie’s Choice
One True Thing
Julie & Julia
Silkwood
The Bridges of Madison County
Ironweed
Adaptation.
Music of the Heart
The French Lieutenant’s Woman
A Cry in the Dark
Out of Africa
We have 5 more movies to watch before the end of this series. The next week is a major entry and I cannot wait to see it.
So until then, as I always say, thanks for taking the time to get Ploominated!
Ploominate 