Nora Ephron is my Julia

If you can, get a sitter and go see Julie & Julia followed by dinner at Le Deauville. Eat outside, preferably on a chilly night. I recommend the roasted chicken with polenta and white wine, though skip their house sauvignon blanc {too sweet}.

I read Julie & Julia when the book was first published and, it seems odd to say, but the movie is better. Go figure.  I always enjoy Nora Ephron. In her world, everyone has built-in bookshelves {as God intended} and porches, wainscoting and bright kitchens. The film is a photographer’s dream. I kept reaching for my camera. Loved the aerial shot of paper lanterns in the wedding scene and the almost low aperture way the wedding is filmed with the creamy clothes and faces in the foreground, blurred out green in the background. And the curb-side shots of Parisian shops… I could go on and on. It is beautiful to watch.

There’s a scene when Julie, taking complaint calls from victims and citizens affected by 9-11,  cries through a phone call at work.  I found myself nodding, like old ladies in church. I may have even said “um hum” out loud in the theater. Once home, she makes this chocolate pie. That is exactly how I feel about writing here or taking photographs.  I know that the dark topics must be addressed. Problems must be solved. Stories must be heard. But, being a listener of sad and difficult things things can leave the listener…well…depressed. The stress builds and builds until you just have to go home, and pick up a wisk or a camera or a musical instrument or whatever it is for you that helps you remember to notice beauty. I’ve had to explain so many times how or why I would ever write here or take photos.  Lawyers don’t do that.  Lawyers who are also mothers really don’t do that. Who do you think you are?  But that scene, as she folds layers of chocolate into the pie pan, is the best explanation of that impulse. Creating is breathing.

Nora and I have been imaginary friends for years. {See, prior Ode} She just doesn’t know. She has long been my Julia.  I can’t count how many times during my first year of law school or during bar exam study or during my sleepless, stressful maternity leave, I would watch one of her movies and remember -the world can be a magical place and this will pass.

Over the years, she has reminded me to twirl with my daughter, write letters to the guy I would marry, hang twinkle lights, embrace turtlenecks and fall festivals and the mini-essay.  But what I love most about Nora is how she reminds us to pause for ourselves and our relationships: for dinners with friends or cuddling up to watch old movies.

Thank you Nora for your contribution.