Julia shines a lovely spotlight on the icon Julia Child. No surprise that I love food documentaries and this is no exception. A well directed, well paced doc with strong interviews and even stronger footage that give us a peek into the inspiring life of the mother of cooking shows.
When Julia Child came on the scene she was unlike anyone people had seen on television. An unlikely star, if you will. She knew who she was and gave herself to the audience in a way that was undeniably genuine and warm. She was knowledgeable, funny, and business savvy. But, of course, she had a life outside the studio kitchen and this is the story of everything she did to get herself to stardom and of the people who supported her along the way.
There is something special about seeing the evolution of greatness, particularly when it pertains to an individual who makes an effort to remain kind and humble. A person who isn’t afraid to change when they are wrong regardless of their power and influence. Though imperfect like us all, Julia Child was an icon who, rather than ignore their shortcomings, embraced them and learned from them through the lens of the world.
This documentary beautifully highlights who she was through footage of the chef as well as through interviews. What has stayed with me the most, however, is how they incorporated her words in the form of letters she wrote. The letters provide a reprieve from all the footage & interviews and give us unmatched insight into who she was because the words come from her.
The level of research, editing, and storytelling in this documentary make it one of the best of 2021. An experience that documentary and cook show lovers alike can enjoy equally.
