Two true stories are merged into one delicious treat of a film in Julie & Julia.

A rarity of sorts, Julie & Julia also exhibits the talents of three women on top of their game, a feat in an industry dominated by and usually catered towards males. Actresses Amy Adams and Meryl Streep play the Julie & Julia of the title, while Nora Ephron writes and directs.

Made up of parallel biographies, with either story strong enough to make stand alone films, Ephron presents an often entertaining look at two women venturing into new worlds, and the obsession and triumphs that come from it.

Although separated by decades and continents, the stories of Powell and Childs are eerily similar.

Celebrity chef Julia Childs (played with conviction  by Streep) ventures into cooking as something of a pastime, during her husband’s (Stanley Tucci) station as a foreign diplomat in post WWII France.

Office drone Julie Powell (the adorable Amy Adams) mules over a life of unfinished projects and unfulfilled prospects, while settling into her abode in post 9/11 New York City with hubby (Chris Messina).

To combat her self-wallowing, Powell decides to combine her love for cooking with her yearning for purpose, and starts a web blog/project where she will cook every one of Child’s 524 recipes from her “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, in 365 days.

As this happens, the film switches back to Child’s evolution as a chef, from meagre beginnings to international acclaim. Between the two, a feast for the eyes is presented in the form of varied French cuisine, creating a hunger which popcorn cannot subside.

Although admirably acted by Adams, the Julie segments of the film, while good, is the weaker of the two.

First, a film about the making of an American legend will always trump the tale of a blogger riding the coat tails of her hero, no matter how admirably the intention.

Second, the husband/wife discord of Adams & Messina pales in comparison to the heartfelt coupling of Streep and Tucci, whose instant chemistry and improvised touches lifts the movie whenever they are on screen together.

Finally, is Streep herself, the greatest actor who has ever lived, delivering a superb performance which is part imitation/part natural charisma, equally humorous and sympathetic, and all around spectacular viewing.