JULIA (Theatrical Release USA 1977)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Julia—full and complete—is one of those World War II films easily missed. The movie explores the depth of lifelong female friendship, loyalty, and love’s capacity to walk through life-threatening doors in order to fulfill the requirements of such a friendship.  The film increases its complexity by not only examining the relationship between Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave but also the professional working and physical romance between best friends Jane Fonda and Jason Robards. The story is wonderful and clean other than a suggestive scene between Fonda and Robards.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) and Lillian (Jane Fonda) are lifelong friends who maintain close contact until they become involved in developing separate careers—Julia studies medicine and Lillian studies writing. When Julia becomes deeply involved in the European anti-Nazi movement, she eventually enlists the aid of her friend Lillian to smuggle valuables into Germany.  

Additional Thanks

Thank You for the Work for Director Fred Zinnemann. Thank you to Executive Producer Julien Derode for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hammett (Jason Robards), Johann (Maximilian Schell), Alan (Hal Holbrook), Dottie (Rosemary Murphy), Anne Marie (Meryl Streep), Woman Passenger (Dora Doll), Girl Passenger (Elisabeth Mortensen), Sammy (John Glover), Young Julia (Lisa Pelikan), and Young Lillian (Susan Jones).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is surprisingly powerful. Worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers