Julie and Julia

So much has already been written about this movie, that I hesitate to add another word. I want to spout the usual things - It was great(!), Can't stop thinking about it(!), Meryl was fantastic(!) - but it all sounds so cliche. Similar to uttering the word delicious when you have a mouthful of yummy food, such trite explanations often fall short.

My daughter the French major was enamored with the scenes of Julia in France. I, of course, could relate to the cooking, the cubicle job, and the blog. And we both love Julia, Meryl, and Nora Ephron. We drank too much Coke Zero, nibbled on organic popcorn that I'd smuggled in my purse, and smiled and laughed so much that our faces and our bladders hurt.

Meryl is the star here, there is no doubt about that, but Stanley Tucci and Amy Adams both hold their own and are equally entertaining to watch. Jane Lynch, who plays Julia's sister, is a hoot.

It was a pleasant surprise to see marriage portrayed in such a positive way and refreshing to see two leading men as kind, supportive husbands.

The script touches on more serious subjects, such as politics, republicans, and McCarthyism - which was quite interesting to see in an Oklahoma theater - I found myself the only one laughing at one point. And this leads me to something I am curious about: in one particular scene of the movie, I saw what appeared to be a framed, embroidered map of Oklahoma - and a few other states including Louisiana - hanging over Julie and Eric's bed. I have seen enough DVD extras to know that little is left to chance - a lot of thought goes into those minute details we see on the silver screen - so I am curious and dying to know, what's up with that Oklahoma embroidery thing?

After the movie I came home to our tiny, triplex kitchen with the makeshift stainless steel shelving in the corner - filled to the brim with cookbooks, cutting boards, pot and pans - and immediately felt the urge to cook, but I was tired, and went to bed, and took comfort in knowing that these things would be there for me in the morning. And I guess that is what I liked best about this movie, the fact that it was so comforting. Just like Julia comforted us with her lolling voice in the past, Nora Ephron comforts us with her movies today. And I take solace in that.