The Best Food Movies by Farr
With a turkey banquet in my immediate future, thoughts happily turn to films which explore the rich connotations of food in our lives- how it brings us together (for better or worse), comforts us, and conjures memories of past events and associations. There's also a darker side, with food a potent metaphor for greed, gluttony and privation.
Predictably, great films with peerless food scenes abound: among them, Tom and
the wench eyeing each other hungrily as they devour game in "Tom Jones" (1962), the glorious banquet that concludes "The Leopard" (1963), the pie-eating contest in "Stand By Me"(1986), and the lavish feast created for Louis XIV in "Vatel" (2000).
My own top picks for food-themed movies were all released in the past twenty years, and most emanate from distant shores. So, let's take a little trip around the world.
First stop: Denmark, and a quiet, lustrous gem called "Babette's Feast" (1988). Based on a story by Isak Dinesen, and directed by Gabriel Axel, this is a fable of two aging sisters who've given their lives to religion, never venturing from their town of birth. A young French woman named Babette comes into their midst and ends up performing an act of astonishing grace and selflessness. To celebrate the birthday of the sisters' beloved, late pastor, Babette invites them and a few other townsfolk to share in a magnificent meal, the greater significance of which soon becomes clear. (Don't miss the old general's speech at the conclusion- it is unforgettable).
Next, in "Mostly Martha" (2001), we hop to Germany, and encounter the title character, an exacting young chef whose impressive culinary skills overcompensate for an inability to thrive outside a kitchen. Several events- the death of her sister, the adoption of her niece, and finally, the encroachment of a male Italian chef in her kitchen- force a re-assessment of her life. This heartwarming story rings consistently true thanks to uniformly fine acting, and gourmets will delight in the comforting universe of aromatic kitchens and preparation of fabulous food.
Now it's time for a warmer climate: Mexico. The sumptuously filmed "Like Water For Chocolate" (1992) tells the tale of Tita, the youngest of three daughters, who by family tradition is forbidden from marrying until her evil mother dies. Her lover Pedro misguidedly marries Tita's older sister just to be near her. The kitchen, which could be her prison, becomes Tita's refuge and solace. Her almost mystical way with food helps her cope with the ever-present love she is officially denied, and reflects her fiery, indomitable spirit. Lush, passionate and flavorful as a bowl of chilies, this is a movie worth savoring.
Next, we take the long voyage to Taipei, where noted director Ang Lee filmed "Eat Drink Man Woman" (1994), the story of a tradition-bound master chef and his three very different daughters. The chasm in generational attitudes is made painfully evident at the father's sumptuous weekly dinner which the whole family is forced to attend. Though the film is Taiwanese, the emotions are universal, which is somehow comforting. And even though this film concerns family as much as food, the kitchen scenes will have you phoning for Chinese take-out by the closing titles.
Jumping over to France, the center of haute cuisine, we discover another flavorful suspense film the French are so adept at concocting. Bernard Rapp's "A Matter of Taste" (2000) concerns suave tycoon Frederic Delamont (Bernard Giraudeau), who hires handsome waiter Nicolas (Jean-Pierre Lorit) to be his official food taster. It seems the reclusive millionaire has a highly sensitized palate, with severe allergies to fish and cheese. The younger man soon learns he'll have to earn his generous salary, as the demanding Frederic virtually takes over his life. Giraudeau gives a nuanced, unnerving performance as the neurotic employer, while Lorit also scores as the bewildered Nicolas, attracted to Delamont's power, but uneasy about the bizarre emotional undercurrents in his new job. For fans of subtle psychological thrillers, this gripping tale is sure to go down easy.
At last, we return to the States and the irresistible "Big Night" (1996), about two Italian immigrant brothers (Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci) struggling to launch a restaurant with authentic Italian cooking in 1950's New Jersey. By this I mean lovingly prepared, delicately seasoned risotto, not the spaghetti and meatballs served up by successful competitor Pascal (a superb Ian Holm). The film is a small joy in its recreation of period, and in bravura turns by its ensemble cast, particularly Shalhoub, who steals the picture as Primo, the eccentric, uncompromising chef.
This Thanksgiving, may all your turkeys be tender...
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How 'bout the egg eating contest from Cool Hand Luke?
Mostly good, but I agree with people who suggested "Animal House", "My Dinner with Andre" and "Chocolat".
proper appreciation was afforded "dinner rush" and "my dinner with andre", and it's refreshing to learn film consumption hasn't completely surrendered to "no reservations" (apologies to "mostly martha") and similar fare...perusing the menu, let's not 86 the singular and perhaps peculiar tastes that allow the palette to enjoy "babette's feast" and "the cook the thief his wife & her lover"...and coming soon to the menu, the multi-flavored, densely layered "ice cream solution"...
Here is a gift--but it may be difficult to find:
About 2 years ago, the Tribeca Film Festival screened a German film called, "Eden." It was directed and written by Michael Hofmann. The food was created by a spectacular chef Frank Oehler, who has an acclaimed restaurant in the Black Forest.
It is a very special film on many levels, but the food (and the effects the food had upon people) was transcendent. A little gem.
"Tortilla Soup" for wonderful Mexican food. Doesn't beat "Babette's Feast" though.
What about Chocolate with Binoche and Depp?
Not sure how seriously I can take this when you totally ignore "Animal House" (1978). Obviously, food isn't the main focus, but John Belushi in the food fight scene will live forever in the minds of eaters everywhere.
Tampopo is the best food movie ever made. Period. The raw egg scene... the homeless gourmands....cowboy truck driver....I cherish my DVD and will never sell it. "Babette's Feast" comes in as a distant second.
Tampopo. I'll second that. What fun.
And a third. Funny and clever never gets old. Almost a lost classic from the '80's world cinema.
Check out "Dinner Rush" with Danny Aiello, a witty, moody, fast-moving restaurant/crime story that has been almost completely overlooked. Pure essence of New York.
Yes. Totally under the radar.
What about Amadeus? Remember the confection named Nipples of Venus?
Haven't seen all in your list...but "Big Night" is one of my favorite movies. Every time I watch it I have to cook some yummy Italian.
Will check out the others.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The beggars banquet scene in one of Bunuel's early films. I forget the title. Also The Discreet charm of the Bourgeoisie, Pain et Chocolat, and probably the most sumptuous of all, Fellini's Satyricon.
The Bunuel movie is VIRIDIANA, right?
what about WHAT'S COOKING? by Gurinder Chandra?
How about "My Dinner with Andre"? It's about much more than food, but enjoying food and other delights of life is a running part of the dinner discussion.
Also, although food isn't the main focus, cooking is featured in some great scenes in Almodovar's "Volver." Having seen that movie, I would be quite thankful if Penelope Cruz were in the kitchen today.
Babette's Feast, by far the winner. I would like to add a movie you might not think of off-hand, Moonstruck. It's one of my favorite movies and partly because I wish I could just step into it and eat at Bobo's restaurant, or have that breakfast or dinner Olympia Dukakis made, or shop at the aunt and uncle's deli. The best food movies, too, are tied to human relations. We may die alone, but we don't like to eat alone.
totally with you on moonstruck. it was my first thought after big night.
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