Julie rolled into Dallas Wednesday on the last stretch of a hectic promotional tour. Of course the dialogue quickly turned to food as Julie voiced her concerns and loathing for "eating on the road". (listen) We have to remember that hers is not the Hollywood life and until a few years ago many outside the blogger community had never heard of this Texas native who now calls NY home.

As the movie portrays, it was her love for cooking and writing that led to the popular blog turned book turned movie deal. But the love, or rather need, for cooking came even earlier. (listen) True this is her story but the film is just as much about the early days of Julia Child in the late 1940's. Nora Ephron uses not only Powell's book but the memoirs of Child's as well. Two people living decades apart but joined by a simple bond, the cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. 

This is a Nora Ephron influenced film which Julie is always quick to point out. This makes for a little kneading of the story if you will. Especially when it comes to Julie's real life friendships. But even in her book they tend to stray slightly. (listen) It is Hollywood and movies are made to entertain and get their point across in 120 minutes or less. So to chronicle the entire year of the cooking blog in one film took some filtering. (listen)

Talking to Julie you quickly learn that her heart beats first as a writer. She isn't too caught up in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. When she talks about her blog and her book she almost tears up at the excitement and joy that came with being published. Even meeting Meryl Streep who plays Julia Child paled slightly to the bigger picture. (listen) Plus there is the shock, that I am sure we would all feel, at seeing your life portrayed on the big screen for all to witness and critique. There is much mental preparation and flexibility involved. (listen)

At the end of the day this writer is a blogger at heart. Emerging into the blogging scene at its inception she recalls those early days and the comments from strangers that solidified her status in the online community. (listen)

As I said, this is a film as much about Child as it is Powell. And Julie understands that and has never lost her admiration for the famous chef. In fact even if it is a one way street and never having had a chance to meet her souffle soul mate she has nothing but admiration that speaks wonderfully to the fact that in the end we are all influenced by the positive around us. (listen)

Look for my official review of this film on the 7th and for fun check out Julie's blog that still is as fun and relative as ever. 

Official Blog

Movie Website