Late in his career, Fred Zinnemann demonstrated that he was still capable of directing at a very high level. Jane Fonda takes on the role of writer Lillian Hellman, who is sharing a relatively peaceful existence with her lover, Dashiell Hammett, portrayed by Jason Robards, while attempting to finish a play. They are well-suited to each other – heavy drinkers and smokers; Hammett serves as Hellman's guide and source of encouragement. Through Hellman’s recollections, another facet of her personality comes into view. She once had a friendship with Julia, played by Vanessa Redgrave, a passionate and isolated young woman whom Hellman greatly admired. Although they have not seen each other physically in years, their connection persists through correspondence. Eventually, Lillian makes an effort to reconnect with Julia. Julia then draws Lillian into some pre-World War II activities opposing the Nazis, which puts considerable strain on their friendship. The most compelling element of the film is Fonda’s depiction of Lillian Hellman. She does a commendable job projecting strength and assurance around Hammett, but becomes almost timid, stuttering when she's with Julia, and when participating in Julia's scheme to smuggle money into Berlin to assist Jewish people. Fonda doesn’t seem like an obvious choice for the part physically, yet she handles it effectively. Redgrave rightfully earned her Oscar, particularly considering how little screen time her character receives or when she is shown bedridden with bandages and unable to speak. Robards delivers a solid performance, as does Maximilian Schell in a small role as one of Julia’s collaborators. The supporting cast includes recognizable actors like Hal Holbrook, John Glover – who also appeared in "Annie Hall," that year's Best Picture winner – and Meryl Streep. Alvin Sargent’s screenplay moves between different points in time, and Zinnemann ensures the audience remains oriented. Every shot is visually striking; the film has a lavish appearance, but there's an underlying sense of realism suggesting Hellman’s life wasn’t easy. "Julia" is difficult to summarize briefly. It deals with themes of friendship, loss, sadness, wartime experiences, and smoking. It stands as one of the most overlooked films from the 1970s, and my selection for the best film of 1977, second only to “Star Wars.”

Source on TMDB