Top 10 Food Related Movies
Published on October 2, 2007 - 61 Comments
Movies about food are the only thing better than food itself and fortunately there have been quite a number of them produced. I have selected the ten I think are the best of the genre and included a small snippet of each below. Interestingly only 3 of the ten films here are in the English language - I wonder what that says about the UK and USA when it comes to fine cuisine!
10. Big Night 1996, English
Primo and Secondo are two brothers who have emigrated from Italy to open an Italian restaurant in America. Primo is the irascible and gifted chef, brilliant in his culinary genius, but determined not to squander his talent on making the routine dishes that customers expect. Secondo is the smooth front-man, trying to keep the restaurant financially afloat, despite few patrons other than a poor artist who pays with his paintings. The owner of the nearby Pascal’s restaurant, enormously successful (despite its mediocre fare), offers a solution - he will call his friend, a big-time jazz musician, to play a special benefit at their restaurant. Primo begins to prepare his masterpiece, a feast of a lifetime, for the brothers’ big night…
9. Chocolat 2000, English
Vianne Rocher and her young daughter are drifters who are met with skepticism and resistance when they move to a conservative town in rural France and open a chocolate shop during Lent. As Vianne begins to work her magic and help those around her, the townspeople are soon won-over by her exuberance and her delicious chocolates - except for the mayor, who is determined to shut her down. When a group of river drifters visit the town, Vianne teaches the townspeople something about acceptance, and finds love for herself along the way.
8. Kitchen Stories 2003, Norwegian
In post war Sweden it was discovered that every year, an average housewife walks the equivalent number of miles as the distance between Stockholm and Congo, while preparing her family meals. So the Home Research Institute sent out eighteen observers to a rural district of Norway to map out the kitchen routines of single men. The researchers were on twenty-four-hour call, and sat in special strategically placed chairs in each kitchen. Furthermore, under no circumstances were the researchers to be spoken to, or included in the kitchen activities.
7. Bella Martha 2001, German
In a German restaurant, Chef Martha Klein is the undisputed supreme ruler of the kitchen staff and woe to any customer who would dare criticize her cooking. Her life is firmly centered around cooking which takes on a obsessive level with stubborn single mindedness. Even when she is ordered to take therapy, she still constantly talks about her work and the iron clad control she relishes in her task. All that changes when her sister dies in a car accident, leaving her 8 year old daughter, Lina. Martha takes her niece in and while making enquiries for her estranged father, she struggles to care for this stubbornly headstrong child. Meanwhile at work, a new chef named Mario is hired on and Martha feels threatened by this unorthodox intruder. The pressures of both her private and work life combine to create a situation that will fundamentally call her attitudes and life choices into question while these interlopers into her life begin to profoundly change it.
6. God of Cookery 1996, Cantonese
The God of Cookery, a brilliant chef who sits in judgement of those who would challenge his title, loses his title when a jealous chef reveals him to be a con-man and humiliates him publicly. As this new chef takes on the God of Cookery’s role, the former God tries to pull himself back on top again, to challenge his rival and find once and for all who is the true God of Cookery.
5. tampopo 1985, Japanese
In this humorous paean to the joys of food, the main story is about trucker Goro who rides into town like a modern Shane to help Tampopo set up the perfect fast-food noodle restaurant. Woven into this main story are a number of smaller stories about the importance of food, ranging from a gangster who mixes hot sex with food to an old lady terrorizing a shopkeeper by compulsive squeezing of his wares.
4. Like Water For Chocolate 1992, Spanish
Tita and Pedro want to get married, but Tita has to take care of her ageing mother and is not allowed to marry. Pedro ends up marrying Tita’s sister, but lets Tita know he only married her sister to be closer to her. When Tita is forced to make the wedding cake, the guests at the wedding are overcome with sadness… Tita has discovered she can do strange things with her cooking.
3. The Cook the Thief His Wife Her Lover 1989, English
The wife of a barbaric crime boss engages in a secretive romance with a gentle bookseller between meals at her husband’s restaurant. Food, colour coding, sex, murder, torture and cannibalism are the exotic fare in this beautifully filmed but brutally uncompromising modern fable which has been interpreted as an allegory for Thatcherism.
2. Eat Drink Man Woman 1994, Mandarin
Senior Master Chef Chu lives in a large house in Taipei with his three unmarried daughters, Jia-Jen, a chemistry teacher converted to Christianity, Jia-Chien, an airline executive, and Jia-Ning, a student who also works in a fast food restaurant. Life in the house revolves around the ritual of an elaborate dinner each Sunday, and the love lives of all the family members.
1. Babette’s Feast 1987, Danish
In 19th century Denmark, two adult sisters live in an isolated village with their father, who is the honored pastor of a small Protestant church that is almost a sect unto itself. Although they each are presented with a real opportunity to leave the village, the sisters choose to stay with their father, to serve to him and their 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. Sometime after their father dies, the sisters decide to hold a dinner to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. Babette experiences unexpected good fortune and implores the sisters to allow her to take charge of the preparation of the meal. Although they are secretly concerned about what Babette, a Catholic and a foreigner, might do, the sisters allow her to go ahead. Babette then prepares the feast of a lifetime for the members of the tiny church and an important gentleman related to one of them. My apologies for the lack of sound on the clip - it is my first time copying a DVD to youtube.
Notable Omissions: Vatel, Scent of Green Papaya, La Grande Bouffe
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1. Che - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:06 am
How could you miss ;
La Grande Bouffe, 1973, French.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070130/
2. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Che: thanks for the mention - added as a notable
3. JT - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:17 am
Have you seen French film Delicatessen? It’s by the diector of Amelie and its one of the weirdest yet most amusing black comedies I’ve seen.
4. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:25 am
JT: yes - I own it on DVD - I was going to add it but it is more about scarcity of food and cannibalism
A bit gruesome for this topic. I think I mentioned it on another list though. Try searching.
5. Morgaine - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
Great list!
I’m not sure, but “Like water for chocolate” is a latin-american film, isn’t it? I know it’s based on a book (I’ve read it, and the film is one of the best book-based ones), and its authoress, Laura Esquivel, was mexican.
Chocolat is great!
6. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Morgaine: you are correct - the text in the subheading refers to the spoken language of the film, not the country of origin.
7. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Oh- and I was tempted to replace Chocolat with Scent of a Green Papaya, but I decided against it in the end.
8. 9000 - October 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
What about Soylent Green?
9. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
9000: I wondered how long it would be before we had a mention of Soylent Green
10. warren - October 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
After reading the description of “La Grande Bouffe”, on imdb, my feeling is that I’m glad it’s not on the list, and either way, I won’t be watching it. Looks like it’s a piece of nihilistic smut, to me. It belongs in a list with O, and Eyes Wide Shut, in the list of “Top Ten Smut ty Artsy-Fartsy Movies”.
W
11. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Warren: Eyes wide shut - or as it is otherwise known, Legs Wide Open. Quite a surprising film for Kubrick I thought.
12. JT - October 2nd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Eyes Wide Shut was brilliant (well it IS Kubrick). I dont understand all the hate for it. Sure it was very sexual, but that was the point. It was all about infidelity, dream vs reality, and of course those beautiful tracking shots - the best in any Kubrick film.
13. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Maybe we can come up with a top 10 love it or hate it movies
14. wowzer - October 2nd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
jfrater: I like that idea. I submit the first two for consideration: Napolean Dynamite (personally, loved it) and Grease (made me throw up a little.)
15. Hannah - October 2nd, 2007 at 4:51 pm
The Catherine Zeta Jones movie, “No Reservations” that just came out, is the American version of “Bella Martha”. A majority of the script is the same, and some scenes are identical to the original German version. I have to say, I like the US version a better though. Blaspheme, I know…
16. Diogenes - October 2nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
To ” JT” with your no.12 comment:
I liked E.W.S. too. I went to see it when it was released in theaters, As something of a pilgrimage due to Kubrick’s death, right after the movie was finished. Unfortanately I was at “teen date hour” sreening and the said crowd snickered and giggled and such all along the way through,,,but in fact It allowed itself to be a meter of sorts that regulated what was different in the boys and the girls with concercerns to what unfolded on screen. I dont think it was as strong as it could of been but it was what it was and I think at times it became a bit too self referencial but I recall Burgess’s view about the posibility of filmmaking, when he had worked with Kubrick and there was discussion of creating a movie like one would create a classical music composition. Eyes wide Shut has those aspects in a way that seemed (to me) like it was a sketch for some new direction. I may be stretching it a bit. Time will tell.
17. Mathilda - October 2nd, 2007 at 5:27 pm
How about any vampire movies? Technically they are all about food.
I like the Love it or Hate it! movies category. I nominate The English Patient, which I personally loved, and The Deer Hunter, which I cannot believe that I wasted over three hours of my life watching.
18. James - October 2nd, 2007 at 6:08 pm
What about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
19. The Dum Guy - October 2nd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
What? No Harold and Kumar Go to WhiteCastle? I was sure that would be number one with a bullet, that or Alive.
20. tonybrush - October 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 pm
odd notable: SOILENT GREEN
21. jfrater - October 2nd, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Excellent additions and comments guys - I might start working on a love or hate film list now
22. Barb - October 3rd, 2007 at 6:00 am
I loved Delicatessen and The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover, and I think they are about as gruesome as each other. I’d have to think long and hard about the love/hate categories. Waaay too many to choose from.
23. schadenfreude - October 3rd, 2007 at 6:10 am
It is not out on DVD (that I am aware of) but what about “Who’s Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?”
24. jfrater - October 3rd, 2007 at 6:24 am
schadenfreude: There was a version released in the 70’s - but I guess you are talking about the 2008 one they are doing? I have actually not seen it but it rates very poorly on IMDB.
25. schadenfreude - October 3rd, 2007 at 7:12 am
jfrater - no….I wasn’t aware they are doing a re-make. I like the 1978 version….
26. jfrater - October 3rd, 2007 at 7:48 am
schadenfreude: maybe I ought to watch it and form my own opinion - I do tend to rely too much on IMDB ratings when picking out new films to watch.
27. Martin L - October 3rd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Just a quick note: “Who’s Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?” is in fact out on DVD (and VHS for the budget-minded). Kudoes to Herr Schadenfreude for bringing that one up, as the food-preparation scenes (and the murders they inspire) are engrossing and beautifully shot. That, and Jacqueline Bisset in her prime. Seems as though IMDB users tend to pan a lot of 70s comedies; the humor of the time was both broader and cornier, but “Great Chefs” had some great moments and lines in it, such as the British police inspector who informs Ms. Bisset’s character that her chef-friend, the first victim, was “found in a condition that could best be described as baked.” Glad you included “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.” Films don’t get much weirder than that one.
28. mishele - October 25th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
I disagree strongly with Warren - I saw Le Grande Bouf when it first came out in the 70’s and thought it was great (And didn’t want to eat for a week!). Kinda similar to the Cook, etc. but weirder.
29. StewWriter - October 28th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Oh how could you not include Rattatouille? That movie is ALL about food… granted it does have a sub plot about rats and a terrible cook finding love, regardless it’s ALL about food and, as a chef, it has some of the finest pieces of cooking and knife-work I have seen outside of a regular kitchen. Awesome for being animated about a subject so difficult to draw (I’m an illustrator, too). Great list besides!
30. dgsinclair - October 29th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Though often compared to Eat Drink Man Woman, I think Tortilla Soup is a fantastic movie about Latino families, romance, and food.
31. Sean - November 24th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Maybe this movie wasn’t good enough to get a ranking, but Harold and Kumar go to White Castle deserves at least a mention. Maybe it was just a marketing ploy for stoned buddies, but it was a movie about food.
Take care and safe holidays.
32. Jim - January 8th, 2008 at 10:38 am
RATATOUILLE has to be in Top 10 easily!
33. Csimmons - January 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Half-Baked should be on the list, I mean the whole entire plot resulted as the consequences of getting the munchies.
34. Hannah! - January 27th, 2008 at 10:29 am
ugh. Chocolat. that movie sucked.
35. Hellbound Alleee - February 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I second or third or fourth Rataouille!
36. Hellbound Alleee - February 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Chocolat was a fantastic movie that is on our Atheistic Movies list.
37. malintra - February 2nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
where is Ratatouille?
38. fishing4monkeys - February 4th, 2008 at 9:27 am
malintra:
hahaha I liked that movie too
And where is White Castle!? haha just kidding
39. Goodluckshirt - March 12th, 2008 at 11:02 am
dgsinclair: Well, Tortilla Soup is an actual remake of Eat Drink Man Woman, except Latinized.
But I quite liked both versions. Eat Drink is a particular favorite of mine though.
40. Laura - March 16th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Okay, I have to mention that the oyster-diving girl in tampopo looks like she’s ten. There is absolutely no way she is old enough to be doing…whatever she’s doing (at 3:45 onwards) with that guy. It seems a little too paedophelic to me, even if the film is centered around food, to go without mention ;(
41. Dale - June 15th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
umm supersize me… how can you forget that one
42. GuesssWho - July 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Fried Green Tomatoes . . .
43. Tempyra - July 30th, 2008 at 2:15 am
Haven’t seen a single one of these
If I added up the time it would take to watch all the movies that people recommend and then watched them… I’d have no internet time lol.
44. joebecca - August 13th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
We actually remade “Bella Martha” here in the US earlier this year. it’s called No Reservations and has Catherine Zeta Jones in it. decent flick i guess.
I would add Soulfood to the list. that’s a great movie!!
45. Yuri13 - September 27th, 2008 at 1:34 am
what about “welcome to the good burger! home of the good burger! how may i help you?”
46. Jayme - October 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Where is “Good Burger”?
47. juleigh - October 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Spanglish was sort of about food. And I also missed Ratatouille on your list.
Chocolat is a beautifully done, very seductive movie. It’s not for everyone though.
48. rushfan - October 10th, 2008 at 9:48 am
It’s funny you should say that, juleigh. My husband watched the last scene of that movie over and over to try to figure out what he’s making. Some sort of sandwich or something. He says it looks really good.
49. juleigh - October 11th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
rushfan-
I think it is a sandwich. I think they call it The World’s Most Perfect Sandwich and if I remember correctly there is a recipe for it in the extras.
I thought it looked kinda gross, though. lol
50. juleigh - October 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
rushfan-
I’m assuming you’re talking about Spanglish (?)