Food & Cinema

Why is it that men can recite baseball scores and movie lines at the drop of a hat? Sitting with some friends recently I was continually reminded of this as my male companions spouted out lines from films like The Godfather or Caddyshack. Then the topic turned to food. Someone mentioned pecan pie and my friend broke out with the line from When Harry Met Sally where Billy Crystal does that funny voice and asks Meg Ryan to copy him: “Repeat after me -- can I partake of your pecan pie?”  I asked her what made her remember that and she said “Probably because it was about food!”

There’s no doubt that some of my favorite movies of all time either feature or center around food – and I know I’m not the only one out there who feels this way. So why do food and movies pair so well?   Probably because food is one of the only fully sensory experiences you can have. You don’t just taste with your mouth . . . you taste with your eyes, ears, and hands as well. And, it’s universal – something we all share regardless of sex, race, ethnicity or religion. Plus, when great food is plastered on a 30-foot high screen, the results can be breathtaking.

The recent success of the movie Julie & Julia is a great reminder of the entertainment value of food and wine, but there are so many other great examples out there (many conveniently available on DVD) that I thought I’d share just a few of my favorites:

Eat Drink Man Woman. In 1994 – before his Brokeback Mountain fame -- director Ang Lee made this beautiful, sweet and moving film showcasing food as its major star. It’s about a father and master chef who shows his loves for his three daughters through his cooking, but his world starts to unravel when he loses his taste buds and can no longer create. The film features over 100 traditional and modern Japanese dishes as well as dozens of elaborate cooking and dining scenes, all of which serve as the catalyst for sharing the family’s highs and lows. 

Big Night. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloub play two Italian brothers struggling to keep their traditional Italian restaurant alive in a town that doesn’t appreciate real Italian food. At the end of their rope, they decide to pull out all the stops and create one “big night” of amazing food to try and impress the local press, their friends and singer Louis Prima in hopes of saving the restaurant. The meal features classic Italian dishes including “timpano” a layered pasta dish that is difficult and time-consuming to make, but oh-so-worth it . .kind of like the struggles the men face in their personal and professional lives.

Vatel. Set in the 1600s this visually stunning film starring Gerard Depardieu and Uma Thurman is based on the true story of “Vatel” – a culinary and entertaining genius who is employed by a bankrupt Prince to create a weekend of spectacle that will help him regain favor with the King. The film traces the origins of some treasured foods and shows how integral food was in the aristocratic life.
Bottleshock. Most people think of the movie Sideways as the definitive American wine flick, but Bottleshock – starring Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman and Chris Pine – actually tells the story of how Napa, California was really put on the map. Set in 1976, the film follows the true-life story of Steven Spurrier, a sommelier in Paris, who came to the Napa Valley to find the best California wines to pit against French wines in a blind taste test. The film gives you a glimpse into winemaking and the wine world that’s engaging and interesting . . . for even non-wine drinkers! 

Ratatouille.I know it’s a cartoon, but when the creators hired world-renowned chef Thomas Keller as their culinary consultant, they elevated this Disney classic to a whole new level. The cooking scenes are amazing (there are times you can forget this is animation) and the story is sweet, smart and funny.  Honestly, I think this movie has donemore for food (and vice versa) than any other as it shows children how cool it can be to cook and really enjoy their food!

Chocolat. Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp surrounded by decadent truffles and cocoa – need I say more?  The film centers around a young mother named Vianne who uses chocolate confections to enliven a town and the people in it . . . making food a true metaphor for life.

There are so many other great foodie films . . . and many others that feature memorable food scenes . . . what are your favorites?   Which ones not only entertain but enlighten?  Please share!  

- Sharen Santoski, www.SignalRockCommunications.com
Click here for more of Sharen's posts. 

Sharen Santonski, foodie extraordinaire, and a former member of the Spirited Woman Blogger Team will be guest blogging for Spirited Woman on her favorite subject "food." Growing up in an Italian/Polish/American home, Sharen cultivated her love of food at a very early age. She is an amateur aficionado of cooking, dining, entertaining and exploring. Bon Appetit!

This post is a tribute to Kristin Flannery, our very talented entertainment blogger.