Some movies entertain, some comfort, and a few quietly become part of our personal traditions. Julie & Julia is one of those films for me. I watch it nearly every year, often when I need reassurance that creativity matters, that persistence counts, and that food has the power to connect us across time. I am joining bloggers from Movies and Munchies as we discuss this charming movie, and the recipes we were inspired to make.
The movie Julie & Julia tells two intertwined stories. One follows Julia Child as she discovers French cooking and her own voice while living in postwar France. The other centers on Julie Powell, a modern woman searching for purpose who decides to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking and document the experience on her blog. Though separated by decades, both women are connected by curiosity, determination, and the simple act of stepping into the kitchen day after day.
Since the film was released, Julie Powell, the blogger whose project inspired the movie, has passed away. Her death adds a quiet layer of poignancy to each rewatch. Julie’s journey was never about perfection. It was about commitment, honesty, and the courage to create in the midst of everyday life. Long before food blogging became what it is today, Julie Powell helped shape the idea that our kitchens and our stories are worth sharing.
Watching Julie & Julia now, I am reminded how brave that decision truly was. To cook every recipe. To write candidly about frustration and joy. To trust that the process itself mattered, even if the outcome was uncertain. Julie Powell’s legacy lives on not only through the film, but through the countless creators she inspired to begin.
And then there is Julia Child.
Julia’s story remains endlessly inspiring. She reminds us that it is never too late to discover what you love. That learning can be joyful and messy. That confidence is built through repetition, curiosity, and humor. Her enthusiasm for food and teaching continues to draw me back to her recipes and her philosophy year after year.
What I love most about Julie & Julia is that it celebrates the process. Burnt dishes, self-doubt, small victories, and quiet triumphs all have a place. The movie does not promise a transformation overnight. Instead, it offers something gentler and more lasting: permission to begin where you are and keep going.
This year, as I revisit the film, I feel especially grateful for both women at its heart. For Julia Child, who taught generations of home cooks to be fearless. And for Julie Powell, whose willingness to document her journey changed the way we think about food, creativity, and storytelling.
Below, I am sharing a recipe inspired by Julia Child, one I return to with affection and respect. Cooking it feels like a small tribute to the women who remind me why the kitchen has always been a place of curiosity, creativity, and comfort in my life.
One of the reasons Julie & Julia continues to resonate with me is its deep-rooted curiosity. Both Julia Child and Julie Powell followed questions rather than certainty. What if I tried this? What if I committed to learning something new? What might happen if I stayed curious a little longer? Watching the film each year reminds me that curiosity does not require a grand plan. Sometimes it simply asks us to begin, to notice what draws us in, and to trust that the process itself will lead somewhere meaningful.
Julia Child has been a quiet companion in my kitchen for many years, from mastering her omelet technique to tackling more ambitious recipes like boeuf bourguignon. If you would like to explore more of my cooking adventures inspired by Julia, you can read about making her omelet and Meyer lemon dish here, revisit my earlier reflections on Julie & Julia, or follow along as I cooked boeuf bourguignon with Julia herself. Each of these moments, like the movie, reminds me that cooking is not about perfection, but about curiosity, persistence, and joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you watch Julie & Julia every year?
I return to Julie & Julia because it reminds me that creativity matters, progress is imperfect, and meaningful change often begins with simply showing up.
Who was Julie Powell?
Julie Powell was the blogger whose year-long cooking project inspired Julie & Julia. Her honest writing helped shape early food blogging, and her passing adds deeper meaning to the film today.
What makes Julia Child so inspiring to home cooks?
Julia Child encouraged curiosity, persistence, and joy in the kitchen, teaching that mistakes are part of learning and that cooking should be approachable and fun.
What Julia Child recipe do you recommend starting with?
Julia Child’s omelet is a wonderful place to begin. It is simple, technique-driven, and perfectly reflects her philosophy of learning through practice.
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