Food in cinema has come a long way from being just a simple prop. Now, it's a key storytelling tool that gives us a deeper understanding of characters and themes. These days, we not only have movies about cooking and food but also a plethora of cooking programs, competitions, specialized TV channels, and influential food bloggers.
Here’s a brief, chronological journey through the history of food and drink in movies, highlighting some iconic films that have featured food or chefs.
The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog (1905) is one of the earliest films to feature food. Each member of the Dam family is introduced, then we have a chaotic dinner scene that concludes with the Dam dog yanking the tablecloth off the table, ruining the Dam meal. You don’t see the food, dinner is just a pretext for a funny moment. You can watch this silent short (five minutes and a half) film on YouTube.
The Lost Weekend (1945) was one of the first films to seriously explore alcoholism. The film’s portrayal of the main character’s dependence on alcohol was groundbreaking and marked the beginning of food and drink being used to explore deeper emotional and psychological themes.
In Sabrina (1954), Audrey Hepburn’s character attends culinary school in Paris. This romantic comedy helped introduce the idea of cooking as a sophisticated and desirable skill, intertwining food with personal growth and romance.
Tampopo (1985) is often considered one of the first "food movies." This Japanese film is a "ramen western" that revolves around the quest to create the perfect bowl of ramen. It’s a humorous and heartfelt exploration of food culture and its deep connection to life and love.
Babette’s Feast (1987) elevated food to an art form. A French refugee who prepares an extravagant feast for a devout religious community. The meal becomes a transformative experience, symbolizing generosity, creativity, and grace.
Big Night (1996) follows two Italian immigrant brothers (played by Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, I love them both) as they struggle to save their failing restaurant. The film portrays the passion and challenges of culinary arts, highlighting the cultural and emotional significance of food.
Chocolat (2000) uses food, particularly chocolate, to explore themes of temptation, pleasure, and transformation. Juliette Binoche is great as usually.
Ratatouille (2007) not only highlights the art of cooking but also conveys a powerful message about following one’s passion despite societal expectations; would you want a rat to cook your food?
Julie & Julia (2009) is about the joy and empowerment that cooking can bring. The film is an adaptation of the book "Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen", based on Julie Anne Powell's blog called the Julie/Julia Project (which, for me, is disappointing).
Chef (2014) tells the story of a professional chef who rediscovers his passion for cooking by starting a food truck. The film celebrates the creative process and the emotional satisfaction that comes from cooking with love and integrity.
Burnt (2015) follows a chef played by Bradley Cooper who aims to redeem his career by earning three Michelin stars. The film presents the high-pressure world of professional kitchens and the pursuit of culinary excellence.
The Shape of Water (2017) uses food to symbolize communication and connection beyond words. Food plays a symbolic role, particularly the boiled eggs that the main character, Elisa, shares with the creature.
What do you think about the bagel in Everything Everywhere all at Once (2022)? Some people say it is used as a metaphor for an existential crisis...
Next time you watch a film, pay close attention to the food, it might reveal more than you ever imagined.