Photograph of Maxine Powell courtesy of Julie Powell; Still of Amy Adams © 2009 Sony Pictures Digital Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Our cat Maxine died last week at the age of 17 without ever knowing that she’d been portrayed on the big screen. In mourning her this week, I can’t help but think about the movie version of Maxine with mixed feelings. Julie & Julia—well, half of it, anyway—is based on my 2005 memoir of the same name, and in that book, Maxine played a not-inconsiderable role.
In the film, screenwriter/director Nora Ephron had to cram into two hours the stories of two very different women in different eras: the great Julia Child on one side of the Atlantic, and little 'ole me on the other. Thankfully, she managed to squeeze in the character of Julie Powell’s cat as something more than a walk-on. My brother didn’t get as much screen time—and neither, I can’t help noticing, did Julia’s own cat, Minette. I’m grateful that Maxine got into the movie at all. Still, as the Julie Powell character—played by the excellent, un-me-like Amy Adams—pouts in the film, while discussing the depiction of herself in a (fictional, by the way) New York magazine article, “There was so much more!”
“Maxine”—she remains unnamed in the credits, but there is no question of who the character is based on—is played by a vivacious, ginger-coated animal actor named Terry, with sass and a jaunty trot. Terry is a fine cat, well-trained, who manages to make the character of “Maxine” likeable, memorable, and not too cutesy—quite a feat given the limitations of the script. Terry has a couple of important scenes: She is masterful, for instance, as the watchful kitty who first notices the boeuf bourguignon is burning while “Julie Powell” lays passed out on the couch after too many gimlets (that part is totally true, by the way). But the role reflects very little of the real Maxine. It’s not just that the two felines look nothing alike—Maxine was, in her prime, a zaftig girl, white with cunning black spots; Terry, I suspect, is a tom. It’s also that Nora had no time, given the ambitious double storyline of the movie, to invest “Maxine” with much in the way of character. What we see is not the sardonic, complicated, talented cat of my longtime acquaintance, but a sweet, thin, red-headed doll of a thing who watches old episodes of The French Chef with her head pertly cocked, as if to echo the words of her owner, “Julie Powell,” regarding Julia Child: “Isn’t she adorable?”
The trouble is, I would never say something like “Isn’t Julia Child adorable?” Julia Child, for chrissakes, this literal and figurative giant of a woman who changed the lives of thousands and the entire American culinary landscape ... adorable? And neither would Maxine. Maxine had a wry sense of humor, great self-awareness as well as an occasional (OK, more than occasional) tendency toward self-importance, and literary ambitions to boot. Her favorite game—in fact, the only one she’d deign to play—involved smartly batting any writing utensil in front of her off the table ledge. She’d do this for hours. And the thing was, she was doing it for love. She wasn’t thinking to herself, “If I get good enough at this I’m going to be a YouTube sensation.” She was simply thinking, “I love pens. I love knocking them off tables. And you know what, it turns out I’m damned good at it!”
She also had a profound appreciation of iambic pentameter. Seriously, I’m not making that up.
SNL: Equal Opportunity Objectifiers
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Comments
Maxine
By: jenlane | Sat, 10/17/2009 - 17:20
I am very sorry for your loss. We have 8 cats (ages 17 to 2 years) and love all of them dearly ('tho we also curse them from time to time, which makes the love no less).
It's About the Cat
By: ginfor | Wed, 09/02/2009 - 15:24
Those who assume that the cat's role in this story is simply metaphor have evidently never really shared their life with a cat. I won't claim to know the author's intent, but I can certainly understand why someone would want the world to understand and appreciate the full nature of a close friend, even if that friend is a cat. Those who don't understand that also don't understand what they've missed.
I take the story as, "I really wish everyone else could know Maxine as I did, and even though I understand why it didn't do so, I wish the movie could have shown her more fully and accurately." Try simply reading it as a eulogy.
Forrest
Hahahaha.
By: lagne | Thu, 09/03/2009 - 12:33
What profoundly ridiculous criticism, Eewee. Would this piece better serve Julie's credibility as an author if she were using the death of a puke-brown two-headed frog as a metaphor instead of a sweet wittle fuzzy kitty? (eyeroll) I always feel insulted when writers write about their life experiences, DOUBLY so if kitties are involved.
cutesy, cowardly gimmick
By: eewee | Tue, 09/01/2009 - 15:17
Yes, I understand that Powell was using her cat as a device to express displeasure with how she herself was portrayed in "Julie and Julia." But why? Why not just write something thoughtful and straightforward about the ways in which she was misrepresented in the movie? While those who bash her for writing an article about a dumb cat are totally missing the point, most of her ardent defenders here are merely gushing about precious kitties, which is also missing the point, but it's certainly what a piece designed around such a cheap, cutesy-cute gimmick deserves. But she shouldn't expect anyone to take her seriously as a writer if she has to hide behind such things. And to take issue with being portrayed as a person who would call Julia Child "adorable" within a piece couched in such nonsense is self-deluded. I wonder if Powell is truly objecting to her portrait in the movie, or if what she's really disturbed by are the many reviewers of the movie who mention how much less they enjoyed the "Julie" moments than the "Julia" ones. If that is the case, Powell should just brush that dirt right off her shoulders, take pride in being part of something big and successful, and enjoy the boost to her career it has surely brought. But an article like this just supports the critics' views of her as a navel-gazer convinced that her cutesy persona is charming, not annoying. And I would hope that someone who is willing to write a memoir about her adultery is prepared to withstand a few negative things written about her in print.
Straw man eating a nice bowl of ice cream
By: Constant Reader | Mon, 08/31/2009 - 16:59
I just finished the book, which I found utterly enjoyable, and so was very amused by this satirical piece. Yes, this is a satire - the piece has next to nothing to do with cats per se. Julie is commenting - and I think movingly so - on how strange it must feel to become separated from the public image of herself. There is a "Julie Powell" idea, represented in the film (and the book too) that is different from Julie herself, and now that the idea is out there she has no control over it. It's terrifying. Particularly in light of the harsh treatment that the idea can be exposed to, by people who cannot, ever, know the real person (alp, missy, and govworker: I'm looking at you).
I've never understood the "I really wanted to like this book" model of criticism. You either like the book and respond to it, or you don't. You either like the film, or you don't. The author (or filmmaker, or whoever) can only make the product, for reasons of her own; she can't control or assuage your expectations. Your expectations are all on you.
The book and film have been hugely successful, which is to "Julie Powell"'s (and real Julie's) credit; obviously, she hit upon an idea that has resonated with our culture. What a wonderful and rare thing to do.
It's hard not to see the more spiteful blowback here as nothing more substantial than sour grapes with a dash of envy. And none of that has anything to do with "Julie Powell". Or Julie.
Getting to know Maxine
By: picklelakegirl | Sun, 08/30/2009 - 08:17
Thank you Julie, for sharing your story about Maxine. So sorry about your loss. Cats have been a part of my life since my dad put a white ball of fluff in my arms one Christmas morning when I was 8. I'm sure for a very long time there will be pens mysteriously falling to the floor - just smile and go with it - Maxine hasn't left the building. And to live to such a ripe age I'm glad she didn't get to lick the butter dish that year.
Went to see your movie last night....absolutely loved it! My husband is the cook in the family and he has Julia's cookbook :) My 14 year old especially marveled at the love story(s) - a couple of "ew's" because kissing between 'old' people just isn't in her world. So another thank you for enriching our lives with your story. Have a great Sunday!
Maxine
By: Ankhorite | Sat, 08/29/2009 - 22:57
Ms. Powell, I'm sorry for your loss, and glad for Maxine that, after her rescue, she had almost seventeen years with someone who loved her.
I'm also glad you were able to publish her photo with your post.
Pretty girl, Maxine!! R.I.P.
I haven't read the book ...
By: Katy Read | Sat, 08/29/2009 - 19:52
... and maybe someday I will, and maybe I won't like it and become so incensed that anybody would dare write a book that I don't like that I will feel compelled to come here and post a harsh ad hominem condemnation, because how dare anyone have the nerve to write something that doesn't suit my personal taste.
But so far I haven't read the book, and I don't feel that way, and the fact that some people do is merely mystifying.
The Cat With a Bucket List
By: ginfor | Sat, 08/29/2009 - 13:36
For those who appreciate the nature, variety and importance of cats, this story may strike a chord:
http://philosophyandnonsense.net/trislist.html
Forrest
Meeee-yow.
By: lagne | Fri, 08/28/2009 - 15:41
Thanks for speaking for me and everyone else around here, alp37, but I actually enjoyed the honesty in this piece. Sorry you don't get it.