We just got back from seeing Julie & Julia. My parents went to see it over the weekend, and my mom said that she came right home from the movie and put on her pearls.
So I did the same. An apron and pearls. Just like Julia. To be quite honest, I've never tried any of Julia Child's recipes. I don't claim to be a lover of French food. But I just got down my dusty copy of The French Chef Cookbook from the shelf over the kitchen sink, and I plan to try a few new recipes. I might have to go out and buy some paper towels, just so I can properly dry my meat for ideal browning. Don't laugh Dad.
Did you see the movie? I'm curious how bloggers feel about the portrayal of blogging in the movie. This is the first movie I've seen about a fellow blogger. I was touched by the concept that the act of blogging is very private and egocentric, but at the same time it is public and communal. Quite the paradox. And of course I loved how real Julie seemed as a blogger - anxious for comments, considerate of her audience, dreaming of a book deal.
Yes, I was moved. Moved to tears in fact. I might have cried at least a dozen times during the movie, much to the dismay of my daughter. I was moved by the friendships, the marital relationships, the food, the ginormous mortar and pestle, the enormous amount of work, spirit and love that both Julie & Julia poured into their projects.
Our menu tonight is far from French. We're having grilled steak, marinated in soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, a little brown sugar and cilantro, served with homemade spring rolls. Have you ever made spring rolls using those thin sheets of rice? Truly amazing. Totally time consuming. Simply delicious. Bon appetit.
we make those spring rolls all the time. I love them. Tonight we're having homemade potstickers. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I really want to. Even more now.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie, but now I want to!! Tonight, in fact -- probably not realistic, though ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing my pearls since I saw the movie Sunday. I can't wait to get her cookbook,you're right a few things I'd like to try making. I do have a copy of the Joy of Cooking, can't believe it was first published in 1931.
ReplyDeleteNow if I can just find my half aprons that were wedding gifts, they're vintage almost 36 years old!
Yes I laughed, and then I called you, and then I laughed again about the paper towels! I enjoyed our conversation about the "blog" aspect of the movie, and hope it was a catalyst for you seeing the movie!
ReplyDeleteI just told mom I should wear pearls and a 1/2 apron next time I cook!
ROFL
Dad
I thought the movie was beautiful! I loved the part when Julia's cutting and cutting AND CUTTING all the onions. :)
ReplyDeletehi molly,
ReplyDeletehave you read my life in france? i'd never really paid much attention to JC before, but it is truly such a nice love story. I couldn't stop reading it and thinking about it. I read it right after reading the Alice Waters biography, and the former brought me to tears, while the latter-no reflection on the subject-left me cold.
I can't wait to see the movie. Seems like maybe I can go with the remaining two girls I have with me this week?
Love the picture. xo
I was absolutely delighted by the film.
ReplyDeleteI was / am inspired to be more creative in the kitchen and to write.
I went looking for my pearls too.
I loved the film, it made me hungry and wanting to roast some sort of chicken or meat! It was just so sweet...I loved the relationship of Julia and her sister. It made me so thankful for my sister and made me miss her...(and she only lives in San Francisco so it isn't like she is far away) I was so disappointed that she never got to meet Julia Child....
ReplyDeletematt and i both are looking forward to seeing this, though i doubt it will be in the theatre (babysitters are scarce these days - they have to be used wisely).
ReplyDeleteand really, i just love that your day wrote ROFL and the idea of him in pearls and an apron cooking for the family. sounds like you have a great dad!
I'm looking forward to seeing that movie on DVD. I never go to the theatre (i'm deaf) and I was surprised when my husband said he wanted to watch it too! I've heard good things about J&J. I don't have any pearls though! :o)
ReplyDelete"Anxious for comments ..." wait, other people feel that way too? :-) I read about this movie in Time Mag and it sounded pretty interesting, mostly for the Meryl Streep parts. Good for you for putting on the pearls!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see it, but hope to soon! There is totally something that changes though, when you get a little fancy when you're cooking... I don't own pearls, but putting on an apron or even a nice outfit transforms the occasion into something more elegant and relaxing--not just a chore to drudge through.
ReplyDeleteand those spring rolls ARE fiddly, but they are delicious! especially with sweet chilli sauce... yum!
I really enjoyed the movie.
ReplyDeleteMeryl was, as always, absolutely divine. Became Julia to such a degree that you didn't see Meryl, but saw a very tall woman finding her life's work and living a love-filled life.
The portrayal of the blogger was so honest - painfully honest. The desire for someone to hear what you're putting into the ether, the inescapable self-absorption that you then have to escape, the self-discovery, the desire for payoff (be it book deal, helping others, finding yourself).
I loved this movie.
I started the book and for whatever reason set it aside and forgot about it:(
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the movie - Meryl Streep is always worth watching.
I'm so relieved to hear I wasn't the only one to cry - repeatedly - throughout the movie. It's so much more than a "foodie" movie, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI've read there is a backlash against Julie Powell. I have to wonder if it isn't because she let out all of our precious blogging secrets. I felt a little exposed myself, as I keep a blog for friends and family, and some of them who had no idea what going into one were sitting with me in the theater. My only complain was the whole greed of a book deal on Julie's part. Is that people's only motivation now? How sad. How shallow. IMO
I read the book and have hesitated to see the movie. I LOVED My Life in France, the Julia part, but was left cold by Julie's book, which I wanted to love, but I have this *thing* about needless profanity.
ReplyDeleteI used to pull out my Mastering the Art of French Cooking for every meal I made for my MIL. JC has been my hero for some time, but even more so now that I've learn she was also a champion of several liberal causes (here)
I watched an interview on Charlie Rose with Meryl Streep and Norah Ephron. REally inspired to go see the movie
ReplyDeletedid you take your daughter to the movie? I was planning to take my 11 year old but was not sure it was appropriate for her. She does love to cook and bake so I thought it would be fun date out with her.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am so excited to go see it.
I haven't seen the movie,but I think I'd better.I just started crying from the preview.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie this week and LOVED it. I also felt inspired and vowed to make a something for dinner at least once a week that I've never made before (last night we had Chilled Avocado Soup for the first time).
ReplyDeleteI thought they did an excellent job portraying the blogging world. I think it is everything they made it out to be...self-centered, community building, an escape...
The only thing that I was disappointed about was that they didn't delve any deeper into why Julia felt the way she did about Julie's blog.
Yum, spring rolls. We've given up on pre-rolling and just dip in water and roll as we eat at the table.
ReplyDeleteInteresting--I've heard several so-so reviews of Julie&Julia, but I've read several bloggers I like say they loved it. Maybe the reviewers are missing something that bloggers get? Makes me want to check out the movie after all.
hey pretty lady! love your pearls. i have my grandmothers and simply adore them but don't wear them quite enough. going to see the movie next week and i can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie and loved it! I BAWLED my eyes out towards the end in particular! And I, too, LOVED the onion cutting scene!
ReplyDeleteAs a new blogger, I felt so connected to Julie as she blogged. If I see a new blog now that has only a few comments, I am trying to comment just so that blogger knows someone out there is reading! What REALLY made my cry at the end of the movie was the single line on the screen that said something like "Julie has a blog that is now a movie." Wow! Could that happen to me? To us?
I've also got to get my hands on the Bouef Bourginon recipe!
I like your Dad Molly, you should post a family tree picture on here or somehting:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie yet, but it is on my list. I have my knitting ready and my friend on call... I think I'll wear my pearls!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to see it with my mom this weekend... now I'm even more excited! I'm ready to come over to your house for dinner, by the way!
ReplyDeleteUsually the book is better than the movie. This time I think the opposite was true ... though both are worth the while.
ReplyDeleteAs for me - no pearls. I had a strand worn at our wedding. Alas my overzealous children broke it. Que sera sera.
I have been feeling particularly homey/kitcheny since seeing the film and have since delved into my first attempt at canning. I dare say I am hooked.
I've not tried too much on the French front. I think I'll work my way through Italy first.
Bon appetit!
going to see it this weekend, after being a little unsure because i loved the book so much.
ReplyDeletei have to say i'm not much of a French cook, I lean toward Italian and yes, i am interested to see the blogger portrayed on the big screen.
Of course I love this post! So loved the book - movie too. I think the thing that hit me the most was that Julia came into who she was just because she "needed something to-do"! Amazing! Julie too. Funny where life will take you, especially when you decide to blog your way through a cookbook! I loved her kitchen in the Paris apartment. Can't seem to get it out of my mind..
ReplyDeleteI really want to see this~ May be should go today or tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI totally loved the movie. I laughed, I cried, and I applauded at the end. Now I need to put the pearls on and find a cookbook too. It was fun to see a movie portray a blogger too.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is beautiful Molly!
ReplyDeleteI do not own any pearls but I do have many aprons ; )
I have heard such goodness about this movie around blogland your post has inspired me to make a date with hubby this weekend to see it. I think we all must have a copy of one of her cookbooks, and the bloggy aspect of the movie has me intrigued!
(by the way your Dad is hilarious!!) lol
it is interesting how blogging is both egocentric, yet communal.
ReplyDeleteI loved, loved the movie. I haven't seen a movie like it in a long, long time. I loved how both Julie and Julia took such pleasure in food - - the way it should be. I loved the scene early in the movie when Julie was cooking dinner - - just toasted bread with fresh tomatoes, herbs, oil on top...I don't know what it was about that scene but I loved it! Shoot, all this talk makes me want to run out and see it again!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I saw the movie with another blogger friend. We both loved it of course. More than the pearls, I felt a deep, immediate need to sew myself a traditional white long waist apron and wear it with skirts and heels.
ReplyDeleteI choked back a few tears myself, during some of the Julia scenes. The difficulty in finding balance between sharing on a blog and the line between public and private struck a chord. Been thinking a LOT about that myself.
Overall, I loved every visually rich frame of the movie. Could see it again right now. And I loved your post today -- as I ALWAYS do. Blessings, friend.
If my small town store stocked the rice sheets I would be all over it! Hmmmmm, maybe I will put my pearls on tonight - haven't seent he movie yet, but planning on it. Even though I found the book very annoying for some reason. I think it was her filthy kitchen that bugged me. Although I've no room to talk probably, especially after pulling out a little used drawer in the kitchen and finding it full of mouse droppings. blech! I know TMI!!
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, after seeing Bridgman Pottery's comment I do remember that it was the over the top cursing in the book that bugged me too!
ReplyDeleteI love Julia Child. I think we could all benefit from emulating not only her attitude in the kitchen but out of it as well. I even have seasons of Julia's PBS series on DVD. I loved the movie, I too was moved by it. I was struck by an idea that I think is important-if you want to write start blogging and get to work. Critics have commented that the Julie sections are dull. I disagree. On the other hand, Meryl Streep as Julie, Jane Lynch and Stanley Tucci is a force to contend with. Blogging never looked so good!
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