Day 3 - How is this guy not Mark Ruffalo?

Day 3.

So far, I've done nothing but heap lavish praise on Julie & Julia--and deservingly so, but I realize that this blog cannot just be a year of me fellating the makers of this movie (I feel like that would translate better over youtube, anyways). Upon multiple viewings, I will be the first to concede that Julie & Julia is not a perfect film. It's pretty damn close though.

But right now, the biggest issue I have with this movie is that for some reason, the actor who plays Eric Powell (Julie Powell's husband) is not Mark Ruffalo.

You might understand this better if you've seen the film, but the actor who plays Amy Adams' husband, Chris Messina, really should be Mark Ruffalo. Not to knock Messina's performance or acting career or anything--it's just that Ruffalo would've lent the role a dramatic heft that it desperately needs. And Messina's uncanny physical resemblance to Ruffalo is just distracting at times, as it completely takes me out of the movie.



-------Mark Ruffalo---------------------------Not Mark Ruffalo----------------------

I feel like after roping in the talents of veteran actors Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci, the casting agents targeted Ruffalo for the part to complete their power foursome of acting greats. And then, disaster struck. For some reason or another--and this is complete speculation on my part--Ruffalo was unavailable or turned down the part. Maybe after spending all that money on the first three, they simply could not afford him. There's really no other explanation for why this guy isn't Mark Ruffalo.


-----Mark Ruffalo-----------------------Not Mark Ruffalo-----------------------

I imagine the casting agents/producers panicked at this point and said, "Ruffalo's out?!? Goddammit! Well then just give me the next best thing!"

Unfortunately, the next best thing was Chris Messina, a guy whose resume boasts a part in that shitty M. Night Shyamalan elevator movie, as well as six episodes of 6 Feet Under.

To think, that Amy Adams could have acted alongside the prolific thespian who carried such films as Zodiac, Shutter Island, The Kids Are Alright, and 13 Going on 30--but instead had to settle for Chris "Not Mark Ruffalo" Messina, is truly an outrage.

I beg of you, creators of Julie & Julia, please remake this movie with Mark Ruffalo, who was clearly the better man for the part.

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Julie & Julia Quote of the Day: "I have this fantasy where she comes for dinner and I show her my new lemon zester."