Day 133 - Movie Poster Analysis #2

Day 133.

So it's been an entire day since I unleashed my Juilerotica upon the world and I'm happy to report that all and all, my labor of love has been surprisingly well-received. For the most part, at least (and my parents didn't even call to berate me for writing it until earlier this evening--dedicated readers, my ass.). I knew from the outset that a Julie & Julia-themed erotic novel would be polarizing--after all, who likes to admit that they are aroused by this?

I'd like to admit that I am aroused by this.

Anywho, Chapter 2 (featuring Julie and Eric and maybe the cat?) hasn't been written yet, so all of you who were repulsed by my prose have some time to collect yourselves and recover from my erotic onslaught on your senses. Unfortunately, today I'm back to the non-erotic grind (kind of an oxymoron, isn't it?).

***

I know I've already covered the official theatrical poster for Julie & Julia, but to commemorate the 133rd viewing of this illustrious film, I thought I'd take a look at the lesser-known, rarely-seen alternative poster.

It's much better than the other one, isn't it?

I mean, granted, they don't take advantage of their big brand-name stars--Meryl and Eric Sheffer Stevens, but there's something charmingly simplistic about it.

I'm a big fan of this minimalist take on the movie--makes it stand out a lot more. And I won't deny that the tagline "Passion. Ambition. Butter." really does it for me. Everything sounds way more dramatic when you use one-word sentences i.e. This. Movie. Sucks. or Fuck. Julie. Powell.

Plus, the white text against the black backdrop is intimidating as hell (not to mention that it highlights the racial tensions that permeate throughout the film). Also, the giant "Do You Have What It Takes?" inquiry is fairly compelling--do I have what it takes to do what exactly? Become an accomplished French chef? Author a famous cookbook? Marry a guy who looks like Mark Ruffalo? It's all up for interpretation, which is a testament to the brilliance of this poster. Poster-lookers will project whatever it is they think "it" refers to onto the film, therefore making the movie more appealing to watch.

Either that, or the it refers to BALLS, which are clearly represented by the two eggs. You know, like "Do You Have the Balls?" (Also, one brown egg, one white egg? Another racial thing?) Yeah, I can see why they didn't go with this poster for the mainstream theatrical release. Not everyone likes balls as much as I do.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Julie & Julia Quote of the Day: "It's sort of funny."