 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Julie & Julia
- Review Date: August 6, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Tempting Meryl Streep dramedy is OK but may bore kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this dramedy is ultimately upbeat, it isn't all sugary sweet. The protagonists -- strong female characters played by Amy Adams and Meryl Streep -- both undergo identity crises of sorts and must grapple with all that entails, a theme that may not appeal to tweens and under (though the soul-searching's not too deep).There's some swearing (including one use of "f--k"), and the movie's two married couples are comfortable displaying their physical affections, though there's no nudity or graphic love scenes.
What's the story?
It’s 2002, and Julie Powell (Amy Adams) has fallen into a rut. Her job as a clerk fielding 9/11 claims is both depressing and soul-killing. She’s swimming upstream while her affluent, successful friends glide by in their yachts, metaphorically speaking. So, encouraged by her husband (Chris Messina), Julie sets a goal: to cook her way through Julia Child’s (Meryl Streep) venerable tome, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, in one year. And, for good measure, she'll blog about it. As Julie makes her way through the 500-plus recipes, Julia's life, decades earlier, unfolds in Paris. A former government secretary married to a devoted diplomat (Stanley Tucci), she’s determined to reinvent herself, and her passion for good food seems as good a place as any to begin.
Is it any good?
Adams' Julie is delightful ... but not delightful enough to warrant quite so much screen time (what's with the distractingly bad haircut and the constant bellyaching?). Her arc moves the film forward, but it’s Julia Child who intrigues, so much so that it can be a killjoy to switch back to Julie in 2002. Although her Julia borders on caricature, Streep is still phenomenal, making it clear that the woman who wrote the cookbook that changed the way people cook was much more captivating and much less solipsistic than the real-life blogger who found fame through her.
Director Nora Ephron also unfortunately gives Paris a bit of the cold shoulder -- we get glimpses, but not enough to sate our hunger for the city that made Child swoon. And speaking of hunger: What happened to showing off all those tasty dishes Child was whipping up? Though the boeuf bourguignon and sole meuniere make the mouth water, and a perfectly iced chocolate cake tempts, there really isn’t enough food showcased for a film about a world-famous chef. Brief glimpses of meringue and close-ups of a trussed duck don’t feed a food-movie lover’s soul.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Julie felt compelled to set such a lofty goal. Was it just about the cooking? What did she learn besides how to make great food? How is she similar to or different from Julia?
How do the two characters stack up as role models?
What's the film's take on women’s roles, both then and now? What aboutidentity? What shapes your identity? Your work, your personal life, orboth?
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AGE
I thought the movie was great-and coming from me that's saying something. There is one "sex" scene. But it was tastefully done, because the couple was married. AND all that was shown was the back of Julie's bra as her husband carries her to the bed. But then it cuts to a totally different scene.Another thing would be the one use of the word f**k. It's sort of a random slap in the face, but that's pretty much the worst of the movie. Let's move on to the good parts, shall we? Also, this movie was pretty funny.It made me want to cook something too! And it it left ME with a good, happy feeling when it was over. =)
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AGE
Bon appetite!
Creative.Real good movie if you take interest in cooking.
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AGE
SSSOOOOOO Not Worth It
Amy Adams is AMAZING and I love her. She is pretty, and a talented actress. THis movie? Not so much. Its corny, and I would say its for ages 4 to 9, but it has TERRIBLE language issues for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. Its kinda like the script writers thought it would be less corny if people randomly cussed! Its not middle school. People should not be cussing anyway. What ever. Dont even bother renting this movie from Redbox, its that dumb.
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AGE
Yes
Some swears like co*k, Fu*k, and bit*h. And mild kissing. A short bed scene and some more from time to time. But the ladies in this movie are good roll models.
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AGE
Great for tweens and teens!
I love this movie, it is one of my favorites. Best movie ever!!!!!
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AGE
inspired me (some more)
This was one of my favorite movies and still is. I am a big julia child fan and i love cooking from her cookbook. Its a great movie.
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AGE
watch out for the bloody SNL spoof scene!
I thought this movie was great and my daughter and I read the CSM reviews before deciding to see it. She liked it a lot and it has even inspired her to learn some simple French cooking (omlets ala Julia Child style). However, there was a surprise scene with from SNL, Dan Ackroyd imitating Julia Child cutting up a chicken with blood spurting out all over the place after he/she chops off a finger. The movie characters are laughing hysterically at this but the blood freaked out my sensitive 9-year old. Oops! Just thought you'd like to know.
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AGE
funny Funny FUnny FUNny FUNNy FUNNY
i RELLY enjoined this movie. Very funny, good role models, and messages, nothing too iffy, a good feel good film, i think everyone would enjoy it. Funny, heart warming, and different. Kids, adults, teens, girls, boys, you'll all like it.
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AGE
i wanted to eat every bite of it!
this was a fun, sweet, and very funny film. meryll streep was great as julia child, and amy adams added some fun flair to the package. there is a bit of sexual behavior, passonatley kissing couples fall into bed, but there's no nudity shown. there is a fare amount of language, but nothing outragous. overall a great film for kids 12+!
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Kid, 12 years old
January 2, 2010
AGE
A little taste into Julie and Julia
This is a great movie. It is a little iffy for kids under 11, but if your child or you are a mature 10 year old it may be considerable.
This movie is about 2 women, Julie and Julia Childs.
In Julia Childs part it is about how she became a famous cook and how she made the Julia Childs cookbook.
In Julie's part it is about how Julie, 50 years later than Julia's story, will do all 529 recipes in Julia Childs cookbook in 1 year,and will blog about it.
The language concerns me for 10 and 11 year olds because it has 1 f**k and a couple b**chs and s**ts. But that shouldn't stop you from letting your kid or you watch this exceptional movie.
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Nora Ephron |
| Cast: | Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 7, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 9, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | brief strong language and some sensuality |
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