Another captivating episode of Julia. It's as if the stars aligned and this masterpiece named Julia was born. Writers, actors, directors, everyone involved are at the top of their game. This series is just the tonic I've needed, wanted, wished for to fill my heart.
3 Reviews
Perfect Ending and season 2 here we come
moviesfilmsreviewsinc20 January 2023
As Julia looks over all she has done and accounts for all the praise and criticism, so comes the question of what is next? It was supposed to be the end of an era. Betty Friedan got to Julia, took her down a notch, and after filming one more episode, Russ and Alice would be free to explore other ventures. However, a phone call with Simca, who downplays Julia's work and influence on television, begins to cause a shift. That, combined with Paul knowing what he knows, supporting his wife, and telling the truth about being fired, leads to Julia committing to a second season. While, unfortunately, Alice and Isaac may not have the whirlwind romance that some may hope for, we get a satisfying ending when it comes to most of the other characters. Julia, as history shows, will continue her show on her terms and will be fresh and reborn for her second season. Also, she and Paul are stronger than ever since they have let their skeletons out of the closet and now have total honesty between them again. Also, while it is sad Blanche is losing her sight, Judith may find this to be an opportunity to really step into her own and move beyond being the one molded in Blanche's image and become the new Blanche. Which, when you consider how she looks down on those like Julia, it could mean many under the Knopf label getting what they need in backing to become next levels stars. However, she does want changes. While she loves television and getting people to cook, she doesn't want a breakneck schedule. Julia wants to enjoy life, keep her team, and not have to finance everything. If she is a star, she wants to be treated like one and have the privileges that go with it. Which, of course, between WGBH/Hunter, is all approved. But, while Julia is celebrating, Blanche is not. Her eyes are going, and with losing her ability to do the work which gives her life purpose, she is losing it a bit. Thankfully, having a confidant like Judith helps ease her mind enough to not see the future as not worth living for.
Season One Review
southdavid20 October 2023
Another show that I decided to watch based on its appearance on the Guardians Top TV of 2022 list. I enjoyed "Julia", if perhaps I felt it was a little too frothy for its own good.
Having published a book of French recipes, to moderate success, an appearance on a literary TV show, for local Boston public television inspires Julia Child (Sarah Lancashire) to attempt to produce a cooking show for the little seen network. With the loving, though not perhaps unwavering, support of her husband Paul (David Hyde Pierce) the show is produced and goes from being minor splash to countrywide phenomenon, thank to Child's unique charm and the hard work of her friends and the TV station support staff.
It was perhaps a bit of an easy set-up, given that the real Julia Child is such a broad character, but Sarah Lancashire is really great at the heart of this comedy drama. Pierce is perfect too, so it's interesting to learn that he only took the role when Tom Hollander (who I'm sure would have been great too) left the project. It did remind me across the board of "The Marvellous Mrs Maisel" given that the show share producer Daniel Goldfarb. It's a period piece, obviously, and is focused on smart women operating in on their own - though neither show make the men in them "the problem" and Paul Child is an interesting and layered character just as Joel Maisel is.
I'm not sure this is much of a criticism, but the show isn't particularly interested in the deeper aspects of the story. For example, it does show Alice Naman, a black producer at the network, deal with the dismissive sexist views of her fellow producers, but it's hard not to imagine that there wouldn't have been more of a racial element to that, even in a progressive Bostonian liberal environment.
It's a funny and charming series though and I'll be back for the second season.
Having published a book of French recipes, to moderate success, an appearance on a literary TV show, for local Boston public television inspires Julia Child (Sarah Lancashire) to attempt to produce a cooking show for the little seen network. With the loving, though not perhaps unwavering, support of her husband Paul (David Hyde Pierce) the show is produced and goes from being minor splash to countrywide phenomenon, thank to Child's unique charm and the hard work of her friends and the TV station support staff.
It was perhaps a bit of an easy set-up, given that the real Julia Child is such a broad character, but Sarah Lancashire is really great at the heart of this comedy drama. Pierce is perfect too, so it's interesting to learn that he only took the role when Tom Hollander (who I'm sure would have been great too) left the project. It did remind me across the board of "The Marvellous Mrs Maisel" given that the show share producer Daniel Goldfarb. It's a period piece, obviously, and is focused on smart women operating in on their own - though neither show make the men in them "the problem" and Paul Child is an interesting and layered character just as Joel Maisel is.
I'm not sure this is much of a criticism, but the show isn't particularly interested in the deeper aspects of the story. For example, it does show Alice Naman, a black producer at the network, deal with the dismissive sexist views of her fellow producers, but it's hard not to imagine that there wouldn't have been more of a racial element to that, even in a progressive Bostonian liberal environment.
It's a funny and charming series though and I'll be back for the second season.
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