Narrated by the lead actress, Julie & Julia is a slice of life, a biographical tale of a person finding a challenge and a writer finding a voice.

Intercut with Julie's story is that of the famous cook Julia Child. Child too, was a government servant who married a 'nice guy' in the same profession and decided to fill her childless free time with learning to cook, and then with teaching, and with co-writing a cookbook.

Child's story is one of hard work, wonderful life in France, and the frustrations of finding a publisher for real French cooking in a age of Instant Food cookbooks.

The two stories mesh nicely, and as Julie says, cooking Julia's food gives her the sense that she is sharing Julia's life. We join with Julie in her hope that one day she might meet her idol.

Ms Ephron is a master storyteller, and this script is well-paced, well-balanced between the two story lines, and very enjoyable. Well-served.

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by Ali Kayn Due for Australian release 2009 For credits and official site details, see below Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below. See also: Nora Ephron also wrote or directed:

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Just the facts: Title: Julie & Julia (2009) Written by: Julie Powell (book); Nora Ephron (scr) Directed by: Nora Ephron Running time: 123 mins Rating: PG The Players: Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Amy Adams, Official website: IMDb entry For session times of current films, use the cinema listings on the Movie links page. For scheduled release dates, see the coming attractions section. For more information about this movie, check out the internet movie database. For the latest additions to Festivale, check out the change history section.