Julie and Julia--The Movie and Wine Tasting Event

By now you have seen the movie trailer for Julie and Julia  which opens with Meryl Streep channeling the spirit of Julia Child.  How else do you explain the near perfect imitation of that unmistakeable voice cackling, "I'm Julia Child.  Bon appetit?"  It is remarkable.  I can't wait to see the entire film . . . 

But for the sake of a truly Paris Where You Are experience--wait is exactly what I'm going to do.  The film opens on August 7 but I won't be seeing it until August 14; and I hope you too will wait and join me and fav foodie Nicole Bullock for a fabulous evening of French cooking (via the film) followed by witty conversation over a glass of wine at the Calais Winery in Deep Ellum. (More details at the bottom of this blog post.)

The film's screenplay by Nora Ephron (whose absolutely hilarious book I Feel Bad About My Neck figures prominently in my first trip to Paris) is based on two books--My Life in France, Julia Child's memoir about her earliest days in France, including her education at Le Cordon Bleu and the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and Julie Powell's Julie and Julia, a record of the author's project to cook all 524 MtAoFC recipes in 365 days.

When I returned from my first trip to Paris, I did two things to extend the experience.  First, I rented The Da Vinci Code and savored every Paris street scene.  "I was there!" I thought thrillingly as I watched Tom Hanks in speeding cars round narrow Paris street corners.  Next, I purchased Julia Child's My Life in France. Now that I think about it, those two actions might very possibly be considered my first attempt to create a Paris Where You Are experience.  An historic moment duly noted!

Julia Child's memoir is set in post-war Paris, 1948-54.  Paris in nearly any era is remarkable, but post-war Paris is the birthplace of the term film noir.  We don't often think of Paris as a dangerous place, but French film noir sets the record straight.  Wikipedia says the most famous French film noir is Rififi about a burglary at a jewelry shop in the Rue de Rivoli. "The climax of the film is an intricate half hour heist scene depicting the crime in detail, shot in near silence, without dialogue or music.  The fictional burglary has been mimicked by criminals in actual crimes around the world."  I checked, Rififi is available on Netflix.  I'm definitely putting this classic on my "to rent" list. 

Julia's memoir is worth the purchase price for the photos, if for nothing else.  One of my favorite shots is a solitary Julia hunched over to light a cigarette against a blank alley wall (p. 171 in the paperback edition).  Publication of MtAoFC was nothing short of miraculous.  I'm in awe of Julia's ability to collaborate cross-culturally with two chefs on the project--and not just your run-of-the-mill tempermental chef, mind you--these were two French chefs.  In the abstract, who would ever think such a thing could work?

My alter ego, Fowl with Pearls, has turned in the following comments about Julie Powell's Julie and Julia.

Since Julie Powell is a Texan (from my beloved Austin, as a matter of fact), I'd love to give her a pass; but I must tell you, I cannot, in good conscious, ring the bell on her behalf. Powell is an energetic writer, but when she begins to run out of steam she is very likely to throw in the f word to keep things moving.  My husband and I once went to a comedy club on Sixth Street in Austin with my sister and niece.  The weekday comics we endured that evening were memorably lame.  As my husband put it, "Mostly sex and snot jokes." That's rather how I feel about Powell--perhaps not that strong.  She's funny but borders on being crude.  A good example is her Salon.com  posting on the death of Julia Child.  Is it really necessary to write f---ing in such a tribute?  Nevertheless, I think you will find it amusing.

Since I am over 50, I feel compelled to say that I am not universally opposed to the use of crude phrases. Properly selected and timed, they can give readers a needed jolt, but only the stupidest of readers require regular use of the cattle prod.

Thank you, Madame, for your comments.

EVENT DETAILS:  I've called the Angelika--we won't be able to know the exact time of the film until Wednesday, August 12.  If you are interested in joining us, check the blog for the details as they develop. More to follow.  Would you prefer to do wine first and then film or film and then wine?  Let me know. We can always amend our plans.  

   

Comments

[Candi Imming]

Enjoy your subject and articles. I have travelled to Paris a couple of times, and always stay in a very small, plain hotel on the Left Bank. Some of my favorite things: fresh bread every day and great coffee. I like the patisseries, as well. On a train to Chartres, the snack for school children was bread and chocolate, which I do not think you would see in the US. Visual presentation of even very small things catch my eye, as the French seem to make many things look great. La Provence In Rockport, MA offers wonderful things from France and that is where I get my lettuce soap, which has a delightful, fresh, clean smell. www.laprov.com is their website. Will start looking for Paris moments.

[Kristine Christlieb]

Lettuce soap . . . I've got to try it. In fact, I think I'll order some as a door prize for our wine and film event. It would be a perfect gift for a film about food and France. The bread and chocolate reminds me of the children's poem about toast and hot chocolate--one of my favorites. And thanks for the atta girl.