Julie Johnson (2001)

A woman attempts to realize the dreams she never knew she had.

Director:

Bob Gosse

Writers:

Wendy Hammond, Bob Gosse

Stars:

Lili Taylor, Courtney Love, Noah Emmerich

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lili Taylor	...	Julie Johnson
Courtney Love	...	Claire
Noah Emmerich	...	Rick Johnson
Mischa Barton	...	Lisa Johnson
Gideon Jacobs	...	Franky Johnson
Patrick Fitzgerald	...	Mike
Spalding Gray	...	Mr. Tom Miranda
Ali Marsh	...	Yolanda
Welker White	...	Sally
Dana Chaifetz	...	Susan (as Dannah Chaifetz)
Donna Hanover	...	Catherine Miranda
Bill Golodner	...	Harry
Kelly Hill	...	Ms. Hensen (as Kelley Hill)
Gina Merchan	...	Girl 1 in Park
Samara Harris	...	Girl 2 in Park

Storyline

A New Jersey housewife is dissatisfied with her everyday life because she is smarter than she or anyone else knows. While taking a computer class, Julie discovers her abilities and finds the courage to make dramatic life changes. This is a story of realizing one's potential and being willing to turn one's life upside down to take a chance on finding happiness. Claire, Julie's best friend, goes along with Julie's secret quest and eventually moves in with her. Both women are on a search to realize their dreams and come to terms with their love for each other.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name as title | two word title | new jersey | computer class | computer | 

---

Taglines:

The life you want is waiting to be found

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

ジュリー・ジョンソンの脱主婦宣言

Filming Locations:

Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shooting Gallery

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Lisa Johnson: Mom, is it true? Is everything that people are saying about you and Claire true?
Julie Johnson: We love each other. That's true.
Lisa Johnson: As what?
Julie Johnson: As... lovers.

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Million Dollar Hotel/The Invisible Circus/Head Over Heels (2001)

---

Soundtracks

Apple Tree
Written and Performed by Liz Phair

User Reviews

Good performances, flawed script

Let's get the important stuff out of the way first: there are no scenes of Courtney and Lili gobbling each other up. Yeah, that's a disappointment, but so it goes.

The performances were excellent, and somewhat believable, except for the sudden emergence of an older, uneducated suburban housewife as a scientific prodigy. Yeah, that happens all the time. That was the only plot device that didn't fly, but it really ruins the rest of the movie. You just can't see this woman suddenly discovering she is a genius, a lesbian, and her independence all at the same time.

She suddenly discovers she's a lesbian? Sure, why not. That one works. But why does it have to involve her tossing her husband out on the street? How is it his fault? Lesbians don't have any feelings for people who have supported and loved them? She suddenly discovers she's in love with her best friend. Yeah, that one works, too. It throws an interesting twist into the film and Courtney Love delivers one of her better performances here.

She suddenly discovers she's a genius? This is where it breaks down. She never showed the slightest sign of intelligence before, but now she's a prodigy. Unfortunately for her husband, she's not smart enough to treat him with any dignity or respect, but she's smart enough to write cryptographic algorithms even though she never graduated high school. If it wasn't for this lame, unnecessary and ignorant part of the movie, I'd say it was a great independent and lesbian film.

Julie Johnson could have been the average housewife who discovers she's a lesbian and is in love with her best friend. That would have made a good film. But she's suddenly a spiteful genius, and that doesn't make a good film. Too bad.