Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

This is one of those feel good movies, subsequently I felt good watching this. Its a witty adaption of two true stories following the six decades separated lives of a then unknown Julia Child in 1950's post war France... she is the bored wife of an American diplomat (Stanley Tucci) discovering her passion for cooking... and Amy Adams as a cubicle girl and amateur chef in New York who decides to blog about her attempt to try and finish every recipe from Julia Childs cookbook over the course of a year. Both stories are addicting in their own way and cleverly edited together. Meryl Streep is amazing (as always) even if her Julie Child character did get a bit annoying and over the top, I'm assuming that's who she was though. Both women have very nice, understanding and supportive husbands but unfulfilled lives which is interesting because they are so removed from each other.Also interesting was how (through movie magic I guess) they made Meryl Streep appear like such a big woman in all her scenes, very tall. Her sister is well cast here with Jane Lynch. Ultimately this made me want to start cooking and go to France again.

Not believable!!!! There's only so much time in one day. There is no way you can go to work, come home and spend hours cooking...and somehow manage the time to clean. its a fairy tale. how do these people spend all this money they logically do not have. the whole movie...These people are spending money...yet we never get the story of how they got the money, they spend money throughout the movie...What is this movie about? how rich i will never be...? And what timeline is this? 90's? 2000's? no clear point of view. this movie is not down to earth at all.. just shows rich people...maybe seeing a homeless person every now and then would show depth. All i see is a wool blanket suffocating us thinking its ok to spend money you don't have.

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

Julie and Julia (2009): Dir: Nora Ephron / Cast: Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Jane Lynch: Amusing drama about parallel lives that unfortunately never physically connect. Meryl Streep plays Julia Child who learns to cook and eventually has a cook book published which will inspire young Julie Powell decades later to write a blog, which consists of serving up every meal in Julia's cook book. Directed by Nora Ephron with breathtaking art direction that captures both time frames. Ephron previously made such films as Michael as well as the underrated Bewitched. Streep is hilarious as progressive Julia who loves to cook but also has a knack for sarcasm. Amy Adams plays the struggling yet determined Julie who accepts the task at hand inspired by Julia. What is unfortunate is the conclusion where we are given the reality that not only did the two principal characters never meet, but apparently Julia wasn't pleased with the attention given by Julie. This is disheartening and not entirely in place with the personality Julia gives off throughout the film. Stanley Tucci plays Julia's loving husband who works hard but remains loyal. Only Chris Messina as Julie's husband seems flat only popping up when convenient for the plot. While it does have its qualms, the film is a unique comic drama about succeeding with determination and passion. Score: 7 ½ / 10