Julia Child is a famous chef. Julie Powell is a New Yorker looking for a challenge. What sets them a part? Eh, only about 40 years.

Julia Child had her prime and fame in the 1960s as a housewife and hat maker who turned her life around for her love of food. Living in France at the time, she was an American woman on a mission to create fine French cuisine. She began with classes and in no time was the number one student among a class full of men. She then partnered up with two other French women who were writing a French cookbook for American women. Years later the book was published, and Julia landed her own cooking show.

Julie Powell is a young government worker living in Queens, New York. She spends her days in a cubicle answering endless phone calls from pained or annoyed citizens after the events of 9-11. Being surrounded by her rich, successful friends, Julie feels pressure to do something more with her life. So, she gives herself a challenge.

In 365 days Julie will attempt to cook every recipe (all 524 of them) out of Julia’s cookbook. She will also keep a blog as a way to document the experience. Along the way, Julie attracts a number of fans, and after a story runs in The New York Times, she is practically famous. Her phone is ringing off the hook with book/movie offers, classifying her as what she’s always wanted to be: a writer.

She’s got New York on her side, but can she gain the respect from her culinary hero?

Although this movie starts with fish and takes on numerous dishes throughout, there’s one that looks absolutely decadent. Try this chocolate pie recipe, and make it one of your favorite comfort foods.