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September 15 Searching for Mr. GoodMovie ! ! ! When it comes to finding the perfect movie and I'm in the mood to go to a theatre to see a new film, the task is a little more difficult than in the past, with all the new ways of getting information, buying tickets (from Fandango, of course ! ) getting to the theatre on time and making myself comfy in those new huge, plush seats. It ought to be easier than ever to see a new film but I think it's a huge hassle in comparison to staying at home to watch a DVD, pay-per-view or a scheduled cable film in your own living room with your own goodies and your broken-in lounger. Personally, I've taken to watching DVDs on my P.C. when I have time because that's the most convenient way. In retrospect, I wonder if all these conveniences made us too lazy to go out and meet the public. I remember my mother dressing me up to go to the movies ! ! How things have changed!
This last Sunday I decided to take Mom and myself to see a movie. I think Mom's become too sedentary and it seems as if (just for fun, mind you!) no one ever takes her anywhere. I started looking at what was available and noticed something that looked like it was sci-fi:
 Later on, I found a review on this one that said there were quite a few gross-outs in it including the forcible removable of someone's fingernails. That went off the list immediately- gaaack !
 I had seen a very short preview of Julie and Julia on T.V. and had already decided that I wanted to see Meryl Streep become Julia Child, so that was inked as a definite. Then I saw what looked like a very romantic movie titled The Time Traveler's Wife. I didn't know anything about it but the photos for it looked interesting to me even though I am definitely not an avid chick-flick attendee.
   I thought we were not going to make it on time because Mom came up with several shopping trips she wanted to make before we went to the theatre. I was pleasantly surprised to find out we arrived at the box office just in time to see Julie and Julia and so we paid and went into the tiny theatre that was nearly empty. It did fill up half way before the film started to run, finally.
I'm so glad we went to see this film. For one, Meryl Streep never disappoints me for her authentic portrayals and perfect accents. It seems she adopted The Method somewhere along the way. She was Julia Child. Why do I say that? Well, Child always put on a fake French accent which in itself was good but definitely overdone. So how does a person match an overdone fake French accent without overdoing it? Well, Meryl Streep did and (may I say it?) ~ with finesse ! Her hair and face were made up in such a way that you forget that you are not looking at the actual person and she became multi-dimensional, which is what people most likely want to see the most. The behind-the-scenes Julia who faced many obstacles in going all the way with her passion, once she ascertained what that was, and how she dealt with her many trials, is fascinating ! This film does not touch on her alcoholism but vaguely implies it. Even so, her real story is very entertaining and maybe it's for the best that we remember only certain aspects of her life.
Julie and Julia is really two stories on a parallel plane, however. There is also Julie from Brooklyn, who doesn't seem to know what to do with herself until she discovers the world of cooking with Julia. She's a blogger who becomes a foodie and consequently a celebrity in her own right. I had a sense that she felt inadequate as a cook. She certainly flounders quite a bit through most of the recipes and discovers she hasn't the heart to even boil lobsters. (Her husband ends up taking the honors.) If you like light fare that is entertaining and uplifting Julie and Julia will be just right for you. Go see it at the cinema. So many subtleties are lost on video and I'm not sure why. Meryl must be seen and appreciated in a theatre.
After this movie, Mom and I started talking about cooks she has followed in her life. She has a sizable library of cookbooks and a drawer full of her own written-down recipes which she either acquired from her father, who was a baker, or those of friends and relatives. Mom loves to bake and owns a baker's oven which likes to overheat even though it's a fairly new stove. We determined that the famous cook who influenced her most and whose book is worn to falling apart is that of James Beard. Just recently I spied a wonderful new copy of his book, "The Fireside Cook Book" which was originally published back in 1949. That was probably when Mom started cooking in earnest. One philosophy of his which I would echo wholeheartedly is this:
"There is absolutely no substitute for the best. Good food cannot be made of inferior ingredients masked with high flavor. It is true thrift to use the best ingredients available and to waste nothing."
I agree with that philosophy and try to stick with it as much as possible even though I am not a traditional cook at all. I am more likely to try exotic dishes of all ethnicities and my favorite is mandarin Chinese cooking. The ironic closing of the movie is when Julie visits the museum which contains Julia's kitchen in a recreation exhibit. A very life-like portrait hangs to the side on the wall of Julia with a berth. She leaves a large stick of butter rather than flowers. It is ironic because Julia's use of butter was as much a staple of her recipes as any other ingredient.
I don't think I share the passion for butter in my food but I believe I share the passion of both women for following and completing the dream all the way through to the end, even if the end is a bit bitter, after all. We can always dilute it with sweet kindness. That's the best bon-bon in the world.
 With kisses like chocolate,
The Castle Lady !
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