Bon appetit! – two words that simply mean good appetite or enjoy your meal – but to the world at large these two little words are synonymous with one person – Julia Child. And admit it, you can’t say it without adding your own impersonation of Julia’s voice! Bon appetit! Go on… say it – you know you want to!
The French Chef
Julia Child, co-author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, as well as a shelf full of other cook books, was the host of early televisions’ The French Chef from 1963 – 1973 and 10 (yes 10!) other cooking shows. Julia Child paved the way for every reality show chef on television today.
Julia Child. Photo Credit: Julia Child Foundation
A Pioneer Woman
It’s not often that I can say I was too young for the time – but when it comes to Julia – it’s true. When she was on television I was too young to appreciate what she had to offer, and quite frankly as an adolescent I wasn’t overly concerned with cooking shows.
But now, I find myself loving Julia and wishing I had been more in tune back in the day. Not so much for the cooking, although she was truly gifted, but for the person herself. In many ways she was a square peg in a round hole, but she rose above it all and lived life accordingly. She had a fierce determination to find her path in life and she was passionately in love with her husband, Paul Child, for 48 years – until his death. She was, a pioneer among women.
Julia & Paul Child. Photo Credit: Smithsonian Magazine
Julie & Julia
Lying in bed the other night waiting to drift off to sleep I was channel surfing and came across the movie, Julie and Julia and having previously seen it (and loved it) I fell asleep watching Meryl Streep’s priceless performance of Julia. It makes me laugh every time I watch and so I went to sleep, I’m sure, with a smile on my face – but, not before I hit the record button so I could actually watch the movie the next night as well.
Have you seen the movie? I know, it’s a romantic comedy, but done right such movies can provide a couple of hours of highly entertaining film. What could go wrong with a film that offers Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Amy Adams. Nora Ephron who wrote the screenplay and directed the film. Okay, I suppose there are those who thought the movie was too saccharin sweet. But I like the movie. There I said it. I’ll say it again – I like love the movie.
photo credit: www.lcbparis.com
Julie Powell
Anyway, I did a little digging and it turns out that Julie Powell actually had very little to do with the film – apparently she sold the rights to her book and that was that. Well, I’m sure there was much more to the story but that’s my abbreviated version. What intrigued me though was the scene, in the movie, in which Julie finds out from a reporter that Julia didn’t like Julie’s blog – The Julie and Julia Project.
A Stunt?
A Apparently, Julia (along with her editor) did read a snippet or two of the blog and she felt it was a stunt; that Julie wasn’t taking the food seriously. Also, Julia did not like anyone making money from her name. It was hers after all.
Child’s editor, Judith Jones, said in an interview: “Flinging around four-letter words when cooking isn’t attractive, to me or Julia. She didn’t want to endorse it. What came through on the blog was somebody who was doing it almost for the sake of a stunt. She would never really describe the end results, how delicious it was, and what she learned. Julia didn’t like what she called ‘the flimsies’. She didn’t suffer fools, if you know what I mean.”
Not Amy Adams’ Portrayal
Even more intrigued, I went looking for Julie’s blog and found a few passages, but mostly I found a lot of Error 404 messages. I have watched a couple of Youtube videos. I can say, with some certainty, that Julie Powell was not the character portrayed by Amy Adams. Suffice it to say the title of Julie Powell’s current blog is: “What Could Happen? – Musings from a Soiled and Narcissistic Whore.” ‘Nuf said, but she does seem to have a large following. Who’s to say? I can’t help but wonder though if Julia would have enjoyed Meryl Streep’s portrayal of her.
My Life in France – Bon Appetit
The other half of the narrative in the film is Julia’s story based on her book, My Life in France. It was written with her grandnephew and they collaborated over the last eight months of Julia’s life. When our busy tourist season comes to a close in a couple of months, I am looking forward to getting to know Julia a bit more through the technology of Kindle and Julia’s words.
Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing a few of Julia’s classic recipes. Until then – Bon appetit!
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As a European, I don’t really know Julia Child, but judging from your description I have come across quite a few look-alikes over the years. Thanks for the introduction to an American cooking personality.
Mette – Italian Notes recently posted…Cocullo snake festival
You’re welcome! Julia learned to cook while living in Paris, but she didn’t gain her fame until they returned to the U.S. I’ll be posting more about Julia so please stay tuned and thanks for reading!
I love the movie as well and have been meaning to add it to my DVD collection. I remember that Julia Childs’ show used to come on when I was a child, but like you, I never realized (or cared) how influential she was in the culinary world until I became a cooking adult. Your post makes me think that perhaps I should try some of her recipes.
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted…L.A.: Nibbing on un Poquito Peruvian Cuisine at Picca
Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m glad you loved the movie as well. I very much want to buy a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and cook my way through some of Julia’s classics. I’m also going to be posting some of her recipes here on the blog so check back if you’d like!
Lovely post, Patti. I never appreciated Julia Child — wasn’t into cooking back then – but I do now.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. If you’re interested, I do a FoodieTuesday linkup each week, if you’d like to join in. Hope you’ll check it out. http://insidejourneys.com/foodie-tuesday-blue-drawers/
Marcia recently posted…Foodie Tuesday – Blue Drawers
Thank you for reading Marcia – I will definitely check out your Foodie Tuesday and I will definitely participate! Bon appetit!
Amen, Patti! I just finished reading Julia Child’s My Life in France and was completely and utterly charmed (and also want to rush out and by Mastering the Art of French Cooking). Thanks for stopping by Club Narwhal!
Amy | Club Narwhal recently posted…OAHU | TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN HONOLULU
I am looking forward to reading her book… soon! I just adore her and I have a healthy respect for how she lived her life. Thanks for reading, Amy!
I used to take care of an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s. One of our favorite things to do was to watch Julia Childs cooking show reruns on PBS while we ate dinner. Barbara (alias) loved Julia Childs and i learned to love her, too.
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story, Mary. I think Julia touched so many lives – way more than she could have ever known. And I think it may be part of why she was so shielded against the “flimsies” as her editor put it.
great post!
Hogga recently posted…Honging the Kong
Thanks! It was fun to write and I’m looking forward to learning more about her.
When I was in India I met the actress that played Julia Child’s hands in the movie! She chopped all the veggies!!! I’m friends with her on Facebook now 🙂
Kim recently posted…Happy anniversary Brian
Seriously?! That is so cool – one of those, “really?” moments for sure! I’ll have to pay closer attention the next time I watch the movie, which of course I will watch again (and again).
I do remember The French Chef because my mother liked to watch it. But there was a lot of information in this post I didn’t know before, like that Julia had 10 shows. I also didn’t know any of the Julie Powell scoop. I thought the movie was good, not great. Meryl Streep and all of the Julia Child parts were wonderful. But I just didn’t like the Julie scenes. Although I like Amy Adams, I just couldn’t feel much for the character. Maybe it’s because the Julia Child story was so interesting, I just wanted more of that. 🙂
Cathy Sweeney recently posted…Cruising the Mediterranean: History Amidst the Bustle of Italy
Totally understand what you’re saying about the Julie Powell character in the movie – I did think though that Amy Adams had some shining moments, but yes, the Julia story was wonderful. I’m truly looking forward to reading her book, My Life in France. Thanks so much for reading, Cathy!
Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actors. I’ll watch almost any movie if she’s in it, and I think she did a stellar job in this movie. Didn’t she get nominated for an Oscar for the role? I can’t recall. Anyway, I loved her cookbook for ages. Her recipes are amazing. I’m glad you shared WHY she didn’t like the blog. Can’t blame her, really, for the critique.
Talon recently posted…Food of New Mexico
Meryl did get nominated but didn’t win. I agree – she can act her way out of box brilliantly! From the little I’ve been able to find about Julie’s blog – I suspect it was not written in the spirit in which Nora Ephron wrote the screenplay – I think they picked out the fun snippets for the screenplay – and if that’s the case then I also totally understand why someone of Julia’s caliber would not have endorsed it. I suspect also that Julia was right – in a way it was a stunt for Julie to get her foot into the literary world. Nonetheless, I adore the movie and will watch it over and over again and laugh every time. Thanks for reading, Talon!
I echo the sentiment that I wished I was old enough to have watched more of Jullia!
Great post!
I agree – I just love her and the more I read about her the more I admire her. I’m looking forward to reading her book. Thanks so much for reading this little old blog of mine!