The Irascible Chef

I’m sorry for the downtime… Let’s move on.

I went to the movies the other night. It was jam packed, I think it was the opening night for Julie and Julia anyway it was packed and the elements of this movie should keep it packed for a long time.

Sidenote before I begin:  Let’s just say I can’t stand trying to get a seat after the movie starts—it’s dark, it’s hard to see, hard to find seats, if you’re meeting someone on the inside, you have to battle all the above difficulties to find them—it’s full of anxiety for me.

It can be difficult when you go to the movies with more than one person and you need to get seats that are all together, but when you’re late to a popular movie this can be an almost impossible task—more likely than not you and your guests will all wind up sitting in the front row like professional contortionists requiring a massage after the movie.

The advantage of braving the movie by yourself thing is you will find a single seat even on the opening night of a popular movie. No one will even know you’re by yourself if you do it right!

However, I was outed this night! No, I wasn’t late, but yes it was a packed house—no problem I was alone and as I looked around there were plenty of single spots to choose from. Poor schlubs walking in that needed 2 or more seats together… I found my spot, picked my spot and made my move.

Me: Excuse me sir, is there anyone sitting next to you?

Man already comfortable in his seat: No, it’s only one seat, but it’s open.

No move was made to let me in and the just-two-seconds-ago, noisy waiting-for-the-previews-to-begin, crowd was all quiet and focused on the going-to-a-movie-by-himself-guy.

Me: sir, can I get in?

Man already comfortable in his seat: There’s only one seat…

The crowd crunching popcorn watching a live preview of your humble narrators every word.

Me: But, I am only one person.

Man already comfortable in his seat: Oh, sure you can sit here.

*Why not just yell fire and get it over with already!*

Now that I was seated, now, one with the crowd, accepted, no one able to define me, I was able to relax and I was getting excited about the main event.

Julie and Julia… OMG fantastic! Meryl Streep is possibly the best actress ever. First being a foodie as a child who grew up on shows like the Galloping Gourmet and Julia Child, I never cared for Julia Child—Not her accomplishments, not the sound of her voice, nor the quality of her cooking shows. This movie, Streep’s acting made me fall in love with this woman, her accomplishments, her love of food and the craft, and I dare say the sound of her voice!

Amy Adams pulled her weight as well as I loved her role as blogger, foodie, and champion of perseverance.

The relationships that both Julie and Julia with their husbands was wonderful and really fun to watch the interaction. Julia Child husband was played by Stanley Tucci who really has great chemistry with Streep.  And Julie Powell’s husband played by Chris Messina did a very good job, he loved to eat Julie’s food! Also, Julia Child personal life is a side of her that I had no idea about and am now very interested in.

One part of the movie that didn’t have complete logic continuity, which was probably cut out for one reason or another, was the fight Julie had with her husband. I won’t go in to the specifics, but there was no build up, no prior irritation that led to a reaction that appeared (in what the showed us in the movie) unmerited.

Nora Ephron wrote and directed one hell of a movie! Julie Powell wrote the book based on what became a very popular blog The Julie/Julia project that I’m interested in reading. Julie Powell’s blog.

If it’s true that Meryl Streep put on all kinds of weight for the role—kudos to her, I’m sure nobody likes to have to gain weight that they will eventually have to try to lose. Again a credit to her craft.

Very creative way of telling two separate stories, at two different times that are intertwined to perfectly.

Any foodie would love this movie as they should have enjoyed Ratatouille. The enthusiasm for food, great food and the dining experience. Watching other people show love and enthusiasm for the joy of food just inspires me.

This movie is an inspiration to cooks, chefs, writers, bloggers, people with dreams—I loved it!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS