J is for Julia

J is for Julia, a film released in 1977 that is based on a true story. Julia won three Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for Jason Robards, Best Supporting Actress for Vanessa Redgrave, and Best Adapted Screenplay (written by Alvin Sargent, based upon a story by Lillian Hellman). Julia is rated PG.

Lillian “Lily” (Jane Fonda) and Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) have been the best of friends since childhood. Julia lived with her wealthy grandparents, and Lily visited her frequently at their estate.

While studying medicine at Oxford, Julia becomes an activist as she becomes acutely aware of the inequities between people in the world. This is the 1930’s, when Hitler is coming to power in Europe.

Lily has pursued a career as a writer, and is living with writer Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), her lover and mentor, while she writes a play. She desperately misses Julia, and eventually goes to Paris where she hopes to see her while in Europe.

Julia is injured in a riot at the University of Vienna, and Lily is understandably upset at her condition when she goes to visit her. But then Julia disappears for “therapy.” Years pass, Lillian has a resounding success with her play, The Children’s Hour, and is suddenly summoned by Julia to Europe. Julia needs her to do her a favor, a big favor. She wants Lily to help smuggle funds across the German border, funds that will be used to help people escape the Nazi terror that is growing.

Despite being unsure of herself, Lily sets off by train through Berlin on her way to Moscow. I really loved the way the film allows us to see Lily’s anxiety, and all the little steps she has to take along the way as she tries to get to Julia.

Jane Fonda is stellar in her performance, and the 1930’s setting is depicted very well in the costuming and music of the era. Meryl Streep has a small role as Anne Marie, and she is noticeable immediately. I saw this film years and years ago, before Meryl became the acting legend she is today and was captivated by her brief performance.

Lillian Hellman was accused of making up the story of Julia, something she protested up until her death. Whether the tale is true or not, it is still a fine movie, one that shows the loyalty between friends, the courage it took to stand up to the Nazis, and the danger involved in doing so. I highly recommend you watch Julia for yourself.

Dashiell Hammett was the author of The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man. He was an activist, and during the blacklisting era of Hollywood writers, he refused to testify or give names, was found to be in contempt of court, and imprisoned. Lillian Hellman was also blacklisted. This was a grim period in Hollywood for those who spoke out. It reminds us that freedom of speech is a right always to be held sacred. Our history demands it.

Julia - Trailer