Food Movies

13 years ago

Have you seen any movies where food was an important plot element? Here are three which left an impression on me -- a different sort of impression in each case.

La Grande Bouffe (Blow-Out)

A group of men hire prostitutes and go to a villa in the countryside. There, they engage in group sex and resolve to eat themselves to death, which they do. Most bizzare movie I've ever seen. The Dinner Game (Le D'ner de cons)

Every Wednesday night a few guys have a meal together. There is a game coupled with the meal: each one of them has to bring an "idiot". The game consists in making the idiots talk about their ideas and passions so that the hosts can have a good laugh. At the end they will choose the "idiot of the evening".

Hilariously funny.

Babbete's Feast

In 19th century Denmark, two adult sisters live in an isolated village with their father, who is the honored pastor of a small church. After some years, a French woman refugee, Babette, arrives at their door, begs them to take her in, and commits herself to work for them as maid/housekeeper/cook. Babette experiences unexpected good fortune and prepares the feast of a lifetime for the members of the church. Enchanting. Out of the ordinary. Jim

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (45)

BeverlyAL
13 years ago
Only food movie I've seen is Julia and Julie. Not nearly as exciting as those you saw.
lpinkmountain
13 years ago
"A Wedding for Bella" starring Scott Baio of all people. Actually not that bad, I really liked it. It was about a guy who worked "uptown" for some big business but helped his brothers in their biscotti shop in "The Strip" in Pittsburgh, which is the market district. He befriends an Italian immigrant couple and a lot of the scenes involve food and the discussion of the role that food plays in life and family. A tad corny but I didn't care.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding." I loved the engagement party scene. "Bundt cake??"

The movies I've actually seen that have been about cooks, like the Julia movie, Ratatouille, No Reservations, and even the "Chef" show, were kind of a snore fest, IMHO. I didn't even like "Chocolate." I keep trying food movies though.

Oh, and how can anyone ever feel the same about an apple again after seeing "Snow White!"
Related Discussions
Food Needs to Change - And It Starts With Us Gardeners!
Q
Comments (62)
Pn: you assume I am willing to take a very large financial risk ffrom wich I could never recover if it went south :) Your idea has crossed my mind though; maybe, if my banker and I could agree on a piece of land he wouldn't mind owning if I couldn't sell it we'd be able to deal. I already live in the middle of commercial ag but in a very small town, there is an elevator 2 blocks away and a spray service 2 blocks away also. Right now there are combines, grain carts and semi trailers hauling grain parked in town and going to and through it. My neighbor is a custom harvester. The mad dash is on to get all the corn, soybeans and milo harvested as well as the winter wheat planted. Yep, anhydrous is used here on corn, it is knifed in under ground. Being a gas at atmospheric pressure, it wouldn't do any good to try and pour it anywhere, knives work very well if the soil has the right amount of moisture in it. Nacyjane: there isn't really any empty land around here unless you count the creek bottoms, everything is in crop production in this county and every county around it and more. Happyday: good point, I suspect there are no zoning restrictions on subdividing within the county. On a less serious note, I don't think there are any laws in the county at all, 1 sheriff and 3 deputies to cover 24/7/365. what do you think? You can not pay your property taxes for in excess of 5 years and not have to worry about the county auctioning off your property.
...See More
Recipes From Literature
Q
Comments (34)
For what its worth, Michelle Obama created a kitchen garden at the White House. I only know this because I am happy that she is promoting healthy eating and gardening as one of her causes. It's one of mine. From one of my favorite passages in "Farmer Boy." My grandmother also made these. Doughnuts 2 lbs. lard 1 egg 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt Pinch nutmeg (that comes from my grandma, not the cookbook) 1 cup sour cream 2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour Powedered sugar for dusting Safety notes: lard can reach really high temps so use a candy thermometer and don't let it get above 400 degrees (WOW!). Also make sure your utensils are bone dry, since water and oil makes a dangerous splattering situation here! Don't leave this kettle of boiling oil unattended. Also, keep the space next to the kettle on the stove clear in case you have to quick take it off the stove. And last but not least, keep a fire extinguisher (or a box of baking soda) handy if there's a flare up! Melt lard in a kettle over low heat. Beat egg, soda, salt and sour cream in the bowl. Beat in 1 cup of flour until well mixed. Continue towork in the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until you have a dough that can be rolled out. Roll the dough in a strip about 4x16x1/4 inches. With a floured knife, cut into 4 inch strips about 5/8 inch wide. Heat the lard to 375 degrees. Twist a strip like a corkscrew (it will strecth as you do this). Bring ends together and pinch them. Drop the twisted dough into the hot fat. In about 2 minutes the doughnuts should be cooked through. If they brown in less time the fat is too hot, if it takes more than 3 minutes the fat is not hot enough. Remove the hot doughnuts from the pot and drain on brown paper (special kraft paper or old paper grocery bags). Coat generously with powdered sugar. Serve immediately. Note, you can cut these out with a doughnut cutter, but then they have to be turned over in the fat. To me they seem a little bland (which was exactly how grandmas were and I was not super crazy about them) so you might add a little bit of sugar to the mix. Or just squeeze some honey on them to taste!
...See More
Help- stepmom to special needs child.
Q
Comments (13)
yarrow, the fact that you are persevering through a difficult situation, indicates that you are a woman worthy of respect. And your statements that you are struggling and feeling unworthy of the challenge, makes you human. I agree with the others that you (and your DH) desperately need a support group of others who are dealing with similar challenges. You can encourage one another, and just to have those people to be able to call when you desperately need a friend who understands (because they are walking in your shoes) is vital. On line help can be helpful, but it will never take the place of real people who can give you a shoulder to cry on, and a hug. 2. If it were me, I would also sit down with DH, and (quietly, without yelling) tell him that everything in me wants to give up and walk away from this situation, and yet, I would explain that I cared about him, and knew that it would be a tremendous struggle for him to go it alone. I would say that I had three conditions to staying and supporting him and helping him to raise his son. A. Could he talk privately to his mother, and explain that her critical spirit (comments) and attitude has created a situation where you simply want to give up, and walk away. He needs to explain to her that you need her unwaivering support, encouragement, and friendship. She needs to understand that if his marriage fails, that it will come down to he and his mother raising this boy with so many needs. He needs her to understand that he loves you, and he expects her to give you encouragement, kindness, and support so that he does not find himself struggling on his own to raise his son. He should also let her know that he appreciates her help and love for this child. So many grandparents today are doing their own thing, and not helping with their grandchildren, and she needs to hear that he is grateful for her help. Everyone needs to feel appreciated. B. Then you and your DH need to schedule a meeting with this boys doctor, and a counselor (even if by telephone if out of the area) who specializes in guiding parents through parenting issues that are unique to autistic families, such as disapline, setting routines, diet, etc. and come up with a very concrete parenting plan. For many of us, it does not seem right to spank a child who is fundamentally unable to understand, or control behavior. It seems cruel somehow. And I say this, not judging you, because I imagine that you are trying to parent as best you can in a difficult situation. And perhaps that is why your husband may tell you to do this, but may not be able to handle it because at some level he feels it is cruel too. And yet you have very frustrating problems to deal with, from the boys behavior, that would stretch many beyond their limits. So pay a counselor for an hour or two of their time, to help you understand how you should handle discipline with this child. You may also want to talk to a specialist(s) at your sons school to find how they discipline autistic students at school, and any others questions you and your husband have. Then the two of you should come up with a firm game plan, and sit down with his mom, and explain the game plan, the diet that will be followed "exactly" and why, and that you need her full commitment to following the plan, because it is necessary that you all do everything you can to help this child, and the plan is to try everything the specialists recommend to try and give this boy a better life, which will help each of you as well. Perhaps his mother should be included at the doctors visits so that she is very clear on why all of this is so important, and is in on the game plan. 3. And last, think about your other two children, and your marriage. The other two need "fun" time with just you at least once a week. It can be a simple as taking a walk, just the three of you and listening to them, without distractions. Reminding them of your love for them, and allowing them to talk about their feelings, and staying connected with them. And your marriage needs a date night at least twice a month, because it is so important. It sounds as though you love your man, and want to support him. I imagine that he too gets overwhelmed, and yet you are both doing your best, and you are both human. You both get tired, frustrated, and discouraged, and yet...together you have the ability to do this exceptional job of raising a boy whose needs are great. You have come this far! Pat each other on the back, and look at each other and tell one another how proud you are of the people you are, and are becoming. I believe that you must both be exceptional! Become each others best friend, and work together. P.S. Give yourself a break on those hard days, and remind yourself of all the good things about you, because you are one of those people who are willing to hang in there and persevere when the going gets tough! I respect that. Just get your support group together, even if you have to drive an hour to find them! They will become vital friends to have! We all wish you the best as you find your way. You will be awesome!
...See More
Bridge of Spies
Q
Comments (7)
Those sounds are truly annoying and I find it to be worse if the person is behind me as opposed to the side or front. We don't go to movies that often, but when we do, it's a matinee as well and we will usually wait until after it's been out for a while. To help avoid having someone behind us, we make a point to get there real early so we can sit in the first seats at the top. The last time we went, there was a super bright camera like light pointing right into my eyes from the direction of the walkway. Thinking it was someone on their phone, I was going to go say something and then I realized it was actually a light on the side of a chair to offer light in the isle! It was way too bright. I probably should have mentioned it to the theater so they could fix it but I didn't. I thought that cell phone usage was prohibited during the movie because of piracy.
...See More
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
By "Chocolate" do you mean "Water for Chocolate"? Because of my interest in Mexico as well as food, I had looked forward to seeing it. Unfortunately, it was a great disappointment. I recall nothing about it today.

Jim
Lars
13 years ago
The first one that comes to my mind is SedmikrÃÂ¡sky (Daisies in English, Czech 1966), which includes a sort of food orgy scene that is permanently etched into my brain. I first saw it in 1973 at the university theater at UT Austin. There is a lot of food and lot of eating in that movie.

Lars
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
Just noticed a typo. It is "Babette's Feast", not "Babbete's".

Jim
pat_t
13 years ago
How can you forget Tortilla Soup and Chocolat?
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
"How can you forget Tortilla Soup and Chocolat?"

Never saw them. Tell us more.

Jim
sushipup1
13 years ago
Eat Drink Man Woman, by Ang Lee

Here is a link that might be useful: Eat Drink Man Woman
slowlane
13 years ago
Um--Eating Raul? An '80s era movie in which a couple join (or pretend to join; can't quite remember which) the swinging scene but resort to killing swingers and robbing the bodies. One murder, Raul's, occurs inconveniently close to the arrival of guests for a dinner party.

After the usual insanity of trying to hide a body in a big apartment complex, the couple solves the problem by butchering poor Raul, cooking him up and serving him, to much acclaim, to their dinner guests.

I won't even mention Naked Lunch ;)
Teresa_MN
13 years ago
jimster - you must see Chocolat! Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp along with Judy Dench were fabulous!
cookebook
13 years ago
Tortilla Soup is the same movie as Eat Drink Man Woman, just the Mexican American version of the original Chinese movie. I enjoyed both of them.
cloudy_christine
13 years ago
Big Night - Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub as brothers who have a restaurant, and one last chance to save it by cooking their best meal ever.

I liked Babette's Feast, and Eat Drink Man Woman, but didn't like Chocolat.

There is also Tampopo, but I can't remember if I've seen it! I know my son the foodie recommended it.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
13 years ago
Hannibal?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Gene Wilder one only.
I loved Babette's Feast, btw.
lpinkmountain
13 years ago
Eat Drink Man Woman reminded me of another food-themed movie, called "Ramen Girl." Again, kind of corny, could have been better, but made me want to make Japanese noodle soup. Starred Brittany Murphy who died so tragically later on in life. She plays a young woman who does an apprenticeship with a famed ramen chef.
ghoghunter
13 years ago
Well you can't forget "Silence of the Lambs"! Nothing like liver with fresh fava beans!!!
Joann
teresa_nc7
13 years ago
"Waitress" - Keri Russell's character makes some great pies and she gives them some unusual names. Really good supporting actors in this one too.

There is a foreign version of No Reservations that I saw, but can't remember the name of it now. I enjoyed that version too.

Teresa
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
13 years ago
Posted by ghoghunter "Well you can't forget "Silence of the Lambs"! Nothing like liver with fresh fava beans!!!
Joann "

LOL!

I made this once:

Lamb

dcarch
woodie
13 years ago
I loved Waitress too, Teresa! I love the Pie Song!

Without a doubt, my favorite food movie is Mostly Martha, German with English subtitles. It's the best :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Mostly Martha
michaelmaxp
13 years ago
Dinner Rush- interesting movie- food, mobsters, love, and a twist.
lindac
13 years ago
Michael!!! Nice to see you back!!
Tom Jones? perhaps not a cooking movie but certainly an eating one! And of course there were the scenes with Rocky in the meat locker...tenderizing steaks!
annie1992
13 years ago
Well, I do love the Gene Wilder version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I remember a scene from 9 1/2 Weeks, which was a very disturbing movie and I didn't like it but I sure remember it.

Makayla has a game on her Leapster from the movie Ratatouille, and she loves it because "it's about cooking". she's better at it than I am, probably because I have zero interest in digital games. (grin)

Annie
teresa_nc7
13 years ago
Mostly Martha was the German version of No Reservations - thanks, Woodie!
woodie
13 years ago
But no comparison, Teresa :)
Far superior! (In My Extremely Humble Opinion LOL)
cloudy_christine
13 years ago
Annie, I am trying (and failing) to imagine the circumstances that led to your watching 9 1/2 Weeks, LOL. That's on my "never, no way" list.
anoriginal
13 years ago
How about "The Big Chill"!?!
moonwolf_gw
13 years ago
Let's not forget "Fried Green Tomatoes". The book is good too (with recipes at the end!) and is one of my favorites.

Brad AKA Moonwolf
noinwi
13 years ago
"The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover" comes to mind. I liked it although I found it a bit disturbing.
I also enjoyed "Big Night", "Like Water for Chocolate", and "Chocolat"
And, not a movie, but I really liked the(short lived)series "Pushing Daisies", about a pie maker that could bring the dead back to life with one touch, and kill them again with another.
eileenlaunonen
13 years ago
FATSO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luv it!!!
annie1992
13 years ago
CC, I can say unequivocably that it was not my choice. It was one of the few times I actually went to the movies with my ex. The movie was his choice. He liked it, I did not.

I think I've actually seen 6 or 7 movies since then. Between that and "Titanic" I've pretty much completely sworn off watching movies.

Annie
amck2
13 years ago
"Big Night" is one of my favorites.

The other Meryl Streep movie that came out around "Julie & Julia".....can't think of the title...with Alec Baldwin/Steve Martin. Anyway, she owned a beautiful pastry shop & went in after hours to make croissants with Steve Martin. I enjoyed that one. Imagine having all that kitchen equipment to play with!
sushipup1
13 years ago
That was "It's Complicated".

Yes, that was a lovely scene, wasn't it?
rachelellen
13 years ago
Wow, I loved 9 1/2 Weeks. I thought it was a great cautionary tale about the, "if it feels good, do it" mentality. What seemed fun and sexy in the beginning became gradually dark and disturbing as time went on.

For another disturbing food image in film...there's always Rocky Horror Picture Show's Meatloaf dinner.

Jimster, I agree with Teresa that Chocolat is a winner. Not a big Depp fan, but love Juliet Binoche and will see anything with Judi Dench in it. Wonderful light, romantic tale. The looks exchanged between a husband and wife as he spies her scrubbing is one of the classic moments in tender comedy. Can't be more specific than that without spoiling.

While not especially about food, "The Joy Luck Club" has several important scenes based around dinner tables/eating. (One of my all time favorite movies.)

How about the Christmas dinner in, "A Christmas Story?"

Or, who can forget the restaurant scene in, "When Harry Met Sally?"
Lars
13 years ago
I really like The Wedding Banquet, and the banquet is a good part of the movie, unlike Dinner at Eight (which I also like) or My Dinner with Andre, which I haven't seen, but I understand that the dinner has little to do with the movie. I don't remember the meal in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner either, and so these movies have misleading titles.

I did like Fried Green Tomatoes, but I've never made them. I also liked Like Water for Chocolate and have friends who endured the same situation depicted in the movie - and they were in South Texas instead of Mexico.

Lars
lpinkmountain
13 years ago
"Pushing Dasies" is my current Netflix indulgence. About a guy who owns a pie shop called "The Pie Hole" but SOOOOO much more to it than that. What I love about that show was the "cinematography" if that's a word that can apply to a television show. Every scene was so beautifully lit and staged and the backdrops/sets and costumes were such fun!! Totally weird show so I can see why it didn't last but it was so great while it did. Swoozey Kurtz was the BOMB in that show, and Kristin Chenowith was in it too. Totally an artsy foodie type venue.
woodie
13 years ago
Hey L - I love Swoozy Kurtz and Kristin Chenowith - both kind of quirky.
empress
13 years ago
Meryl Streep, again, with Jack Nicholson in "Heartburn" in 1986. Loved them both in the movie--time to hunt it up and watch it again.
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
You folks have convinced me that there are several food movies I would like to see. My friends and family would tell you that is quite an accomplishment since I don't care for most movies and I see three movies per year at the most. That is more than Annie sees, but not by much. I have seen a few movies I really liked though and I think some that you have mentioned will fall into that category.

Thanks.

Jim
sheesh
13 years ago
We had a terrific party featuring the recipes at the back of the book Fried Green Tomatoes. All excellent, one after the the other, and the party was a huge success!

I always want the foods featured in a book or movie, and have frequently made them. It's fun!

Fatso and Rush Hour and the scene in The Godfather where what's-his-name tells Michael he has to learn to cook spaghetti for a buncha guys are among my favorites.

Sherry
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
"I always want the foods featured in a book or movie, and have frequently made them. It's fun!"

That's worth a thread of it's own don't you think? Recipes from works of fiction? I have a couple of favorite books of that type.

Jim
amck2
13 years ago
Jim, I think that would be a great thread!
Fori
13 years ago
Tampopo came to mind immediately. Very fun!
Rusty
13 years ago
The last time I was in a movie theater was to see Kevin Kostner in "Dances with Wolves".
I think that was in the '80's, wasn't it?
And not food related.

So how about Hallmark movies on TV,
Do they count?

Now if I could just remember the titles. . . . .

Rusty
rachelellen
13 years ago
Rusty, wasn't there a scene involving pickled eggs in DWW?
Rusty
13 years ago
Rachelellen, I honestly don't remember.

I'm sure there were some scenes involving food.
But it wasn't the main focus of the movie.

I thought Jimster was asking about movies with food being central to the plot.

Rusty
spacific
13 years ago
You mentioned my favorites "Babette's Feast" and "Big Night".
But if you're a fan of "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, Her Lover" you may also like "Delicatessen" "a post-apocalyptic surrealist black comedy about the landlord of an apartment building who occasional prepares a delicacy for his odd tenants."

Food Movies

Comments (45)

Related Discussions

jimsterOriginal Author

jimsterOriginal Author

jimsterOriginal Author

jimsterOriginal Author

jimsterOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jimster
Original Author

jimster
Original Author

jimster
Original Author

jimster
Original Author

jimster
Original Author