the audience applauded

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Interesting comedy-drama based on two real-life stories. This was a pleasure to watch with very likable characters and great acting, especially Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep. This is also the first film to be based on a blog. Very good indeed.

With talented actors such as Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci and Jane Lynch on board, plus Nora Ephron has been responsible for some lovely work, 'Julie & Julia' seemed a recipe made in heaven. Seeing it, it is truly delicious stuff.Do agree with those saying that the Julia Child portions are much more interesting than the Julie Powell ones. Not that the Julie Powell scenes are unwatchable, certainly not. There are amusing and sweet moments and succeeds just as much as the Julia Child story in making one want to grab a cook-book and start cooking or starting a blog. The film in general with both story lines compels one to want to cook, regardless of how good they are at it or not.Amy Adams also brings charm to Julie and an amusing angst and Chris Messina is likable support, though the character is underwritten somewhat. Their chemistry is nicely done.What lets it down however are silly scenes like with the dinner and 65 answer phone messages, pacing that lacked lustre in places and the shallow self-absorbed way Julie particularly is written.Luckily, the Julia Child portions have much more charm and are easier to relate to, with Julia's obstacles and determinations being easier to root for and Julia being a more endearing character. The scenes have so much warmth and makes one laugh in an uplifting fashion and cry in how delicately and sensitively the subject is portrayed.Meryl Streep gives yet another masterly performance, that's both hilarious and touching and much more than an impersonation even with the mannerisms, voice and such being spot on. She is not as tall as Child was, who was 6 foot 2 to Streep's 5 foot 6, but 'Julie & Julia' cleverly disguised that by basically casting shorter actors and actresses. Stanley Tucci is equally brilliant as her husband, one really believes that they are in love and Tucci charms the socks out of everybody. Jane Lynch is a welcome presence in a small role as Dorothy.The only problems with her story are that it occasionally sags in the middle and that the Republican/McCarthyism jibes did come over as mean-spirited and unnecessary.'Julie & Julia' is beautifully filmed, especially in the Julia story, which also has very evocative and handsomely rendered period detail that feels like late 40s-50s France. The music gives a good taste of the uplifting and the tragic, with brilliant use of "Time After Time". Am not a fan of the very overplayed "Prince of Denmark" march but tolerated it here.Nora Ephron's directing in the film's best parts is some of the best she ever did in my opinion and in the best parts the script is witty, inspiring, poignant and sharply observant with lots of warmth. Much of the story works really well, with the two stories and time lines intertwined with great skills and never is hard to follow or choppy.Overall, culinary deliciousness if at times uneven. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I liked it, but it was very different from what I had expected, well I don't actually know what I had expected... it was just not that.The two main characters are played by Streep and Adams, they both do a very good job, but my good Streep must have had some problems with her voice at night after shooting a could of scenes on this set. Their husband/boyfriends are played by Tucci and Messina, also they do a good job. Its kind of like the older generation of great actors vs. the new one :)The story is good, long but good, this could have been at least half an hour shorter if that was what the director etc. had gone for. But it wasn't, this film was to show Julies and Julias struggles in their time and their hard work to get appreciated and loved.This movie will tell you a lot about Julia Child and her life, but you still have to buy her book to learn and experience the dishes yourself.

Julie and Julia is a film directed by Nora Ephron released in 2009 which stars Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Chris Messina and Stanley Tucci. It is the story of world famous cook Julia Child's intertwined with the story of blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.Meryl Streep is a wonderful actress and the shines through in this film. In the past, I watched a few Julia Childs cooking shows and Meryl does a great job in her portal as Julia Childs. She was so charming and convincing, you feel as though you are really watching Julia and you become intrigued by her character. Her hair and makeup are spot on. Meryl's truly puts a smile on your face.Amy Adams also does an exceptional job in the film, she really connected with her character as Julie Powell a distraught woman trapped in a dead end job attempting to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.. Her sense of humor makes some of the characters tough moments seem light hearted. Chris Messina plays Julie's husband, Eric, he doesn't bring much to the film. Finally, Stanley Tucci plays Paul Childs Julia's husband, he brings a lot to her character. The two of the have great chemistry you truly believe they are in love. .As for the negative, the film moves kind of slow a bit in the middle. The switching between Julie and Julia works great at first, but eventually becomes annoying. Eventually you may begin to feel like me and just want to learn more about Julia's story, it is a lot more interesting than Julie's. Overall, definitely worth watching somewhat enjoyable just make sure to eat before attending because some of the cooking scenes may make you hungry.