Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

cricketbat Julie & Julia made me hungry, it made me want to cook and it made me want to write. Meryl Streep does a spot-on Julia Child, too. It's a bit long and fairly slow-going, but it's not a bad start to movies based on a blog - and there will be more, mark my words!

paulclaassen Interesting comedy-drama based on two real-life stories. This was a pleasure to watch with very likable characters and great acting, especially Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep. This is also the first film to be based on a blog. Very good indeed.

John Fonte This movie poses a simple question: can an audience member rally behind a spoiled protagonist? What can we tolerate? What can we ignore? What can we forgive?Norma Ephron (that's her name, right?) tests our limits in a movie replete with first world problems. Amy Adams, an elf-boy living in Queens, has a respectable mid-level job, living in her own apartment in the New York City Metro area, surrounded by her supportive friends and co-workers. Of course, having your own life and sharing it with an attractive husband who loves you (and is nauseatingly agreeable) is not enough for her. Rather, she bitches and moans about it, interspersing her temper tantrums with unprovoked emotional breakdowns. "I'm gonna write a blog!," she says. Umm...okay, so do it. What's the antagonist there? Norma Ephron (that's *still* her name, right?) lets you figure that one out; she'll keep the shot on the actors seconds too long for the awkward pauses to set in. She (he?) also loves putting Julia in the center of the frame. Rules of threes, Norma! Without spoilers, let me summarize this movie with one of its quotations by Amy Adams's character: "I'm a bitch. That's me, Sarah - I'm a bitch." Everyone knows it. Everyone acknowledges it. Amy even knows that they know. Yet, no one has the cajones to tell Julie to take a chill pill......because no one cares (which is ironic because the whole point of this movie was that Julie would get people to care about her uneventful life). Even Julia Child called the whole thing a publicity stunt. Julie Powell, if you're reading this, there are easier ways to make friends. Go help out for a charity. Bring a dog to the dog park. Whatever it is, it's easier than getting Norma Ephron (who?) to write a movie about you crying for attention and expect people to watch it.

Python Hyena Julie and Julia (2009): Dir: Nora Ephron / Cast: Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina, Jane Lynch: Amusing drama about parallel lives that unfortunately never physically connect. Meryl Streep plays Julia Child who learns to cook and eventually has a cook book published which will inspire young Julie Powell decades later to write a blog, which consists of serving up every meal in Julia's cook book. Directed by Nora Ephron with breathtaking art direction that captures both time frames. Ephron previously made such films as Michael as well as the underrated Bewitched. Streep is hilarious as progressive Julia who loves to cook but also has a knack for sarcasm. Amy Adams plays the struggling yet determined Julie who accepts the task at hand inspired by Julia. What is unfortunate is the conclusion where we are given the reality that not only did the two principal characters never meet, but apparently Julia wasn't pleased with the attention given by Julie. This is disheartening and not entirely in place with the personality Julia gives off throughout the film. Stanley Tucci plays Julia's loving husband who works hard but remains loyal. Only Chris Messina as Julie's husband seems flat only popping up when convenient for the plot. While it does have its qualms, the film is a unique comic drama about succeeding with determination and passion. Score: 7 ½ / 10