|
I went to a Seinfeld-themed birthday party last weekend. The costumes were amazing and the host went all-in on the food: Chinese takeout, roasted chicken, muffin tops, Junior Mints, marble rye, pretzels, shrimp cocktail, babka, fusilli Jerry.
Food is such an integral part of film and television. Eating is carnal and human, and seeing it unfold on screen adds an extrasensory dimension. Viewers can imagine how something might taste or smell, bringing them closer to the story, making them hungry.
Food can also move the plot forward, acting as a punchline, a telling detail, a point of connection.
Advertisement
There are movies and shows in which food and cooking are central to the narrative — the potato-chip omelet from The Bear, the onion chopping in Julie & Julia, all of Ratatouille.
And then there are stories where the meal is secondary, but no less important. Here’s a sample of some of my favourite Hollywood food moments:
Heated Rivalry (can’t stop, won’t stop): Ginger ale and tuna melts as shorthand for affection and comfortable vulnerability.
Pulp Fiction: A Royale with Cheese and Mia Wallace’s $5 shake = class and temptation.
Coffee and Cigarettes: Bill Murray chugging coffee straight from the pot. Pure, unfiltered chaos.
Spirited Away: Sprawling feasts that are more dangerous than delicious.
The Darjeeling Limited: “Where’s those nuts at?” Savoury snacks, sweet tea and an older brother who can’t stop ordering for the table.
The Little Rascals: A kitty litter sandwich that tastes like heartbreak (mine) and betrayal.
Matilda: Bruce versus the chocolate cake. Delicious rebellion.
(From Ben) When Harry Met Sally: Katz’s deli — the pastrami sandwiches. You’ll have what Meg Ryan’s having, right?
(Also from Ben): The Sopranos: Gabagool, ziti, orange juice with too much pulp, to name but a few tasty treats from Tony and co.
There are too many delicious options to list them all. Let us know which iconic food scenes we’ve missed!
|
