Two foodies, linked by one singular obsession is how the NPR movie reviewer described the new movie “Julie & Julia.” I am just plain obsessed with the whole concept and idea of the movie…the passion Julie & Julia have for their work.
"The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude." ~Julia Child
I have almost a gravitational pull towards this story. With my interest in workplace issues, it appears to be a fascinating blend of a youngish career woman attempting to blog her way to success, that she isn’t finding in her rent paying gig, and the pressures that entails, strikingly cast against an icon who didn’t find her calling until well past the ingénue stage of life.
Ever since I heard about Julia Child’s late start into her cooking career it has been a beacon for me (chronologically post ingénue) to look ahead to the possibility of new careers, perhaps even one surrounding a passion at any stage of life!
Julia is not the only one to break out past 30. (Before cooking Julia did dabble in such things as espionage.) Harrison Ford was famously a carpenter prior to becoming a mega box office star. Martha Stewart was a stockbroker before becoming the czarina of attempting to get women (and some men I suppose) to knock themselves out trying to be perfect and have unrealistic and unobtainable standards in all they do at home -- hard to believe she was a savvy broker considering the expert in all things went to jail for selling stock. (That’s not a good thing.)
"Life itself is the proper binge." ~Julia Child
My husband thinks it’s hilarious that I am obsessed with the concept and idea of this movie. I say “concept and idea” because I missed a chance to see the premier, and I’m not rushing out to the theater on opening day…I do want to see it, but mostly I just love musing over what it’s about. (Also, he’s the cook in the family, I never crack my Julia Child cookbook inherited from my Aunt Christine that is featured in the movie, and you are more likely to see me browsing though a Deborah Madison vegetarian cook book than figuring out how to handle a raw chicken – ick. It’s really just the workplace issue thing that makes my pulse quicken and my eyes star up with possibility. Plus, my husband does a better Julia Child imitation than I do!)
"It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it."
~ Julia Child
The story of Julie & Julia -- doesn’t that just sound like real drama to view the pressure of young echo-boomer to succeed personally and publicly, juxtaposed against the idea of hope for those who have been around the block, but are still seeking true career passion!?? It’s not a movie about super heroes, war, cops or drunken frat boy “wanna be’s.” It’s about the workplace! (Okay, maybe I have a little passion about my current career!) Others besides me must also be intrigued by this subject, because I just became the 50,439th fan of Julie & Julia on Facebook! And, that's before the movie opens tonight!
Who doesn’t feel lost in their life and career once in awhile! To see some workplace passion on the big screen has to be tremendous! Hope I see it before it comes out on DVD!
“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” ~ Julia Child
Bon appétit!
For more information about the movie: http://www.julieandjulia.com/
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