Food in Film
Food has often been essential to cinema. A catalyst which brings people together, it can be used for dramatic confrontation, as a comic device or even a metaphor for the meaning of life. Preparing, presenting and consuming food can evoke a mood that is sumptuous, homely, seductive, disgusting or just plain funny. Eloquent in conveying complex messages, food is a perfect vehicle for expressing the subtext in drama and comedy and for revealing intricate aspects about class, emotional states or gender. Sometimes, as in the movies "Babette's Feast" and "Tampopo", it is the real star. In this compilation below, we take the high ground and take a wide view of the social and symbolic meaning of food in film..
Right: Scene from Gabriel Axel's triumphant "Babette's Feast".
Mostly Martha (2001)
7.3/10
Director: Sandra Nettelbeck
Starring: Martina Gedeck, Sergio Castellitto, Maxime Foerste
Aka "Bella Martha". Martha is a single woman who lives for one passion: cooking. The head chef at a chic restaurant, Martha has no time for anything -... Read more
Dinner Rush (2001)
7.3/10
Director: Bob Giraldi
Starring: Eduardo Ballerini, Sandra Bernhard, Mark Margolis, Vivian Wu, Danny Aiello
For New York restauranteur Danny Aiello, a conflict with his son over turning the family bistro's menu from traditional Italian fare to nouvelle cuisi... Read more
Tortilla Soup (2001)
6.6/10
Director: Maria Ripall
Starring: Hector Elizondo, Elizabeth Pena, Tamara Mello, Paul Rodriguez, Raquel Welch
Delicious retelling of Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" focusing on the love and shared meals of an Hispanic-American family. Widowed master chef Hect... Read more
What's Cooking? (2000)
7.1/10
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Starring: Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Alfre Woodard
A Jewish, Vietnamese, Latino and African-American family each assemble for their own version of the Thanksgiving holiday where conflicts quickly arise... Read more
Chocolat (2000)
7.3/10
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Carrie-Anne...
The radiant Juliette Binoche opens a chocolate shop in a small, old-fashioned French town where her confections soon stir the passions and scorn of th... Read more
Woman on Top (2000)
5.3/10
Director: Fina Torres
Starring: Penelope Cruz, Murilo Benicio, Harold Perrineau, Mark Feuerstein
Love, sex and food combine in this sensuous romantic comedy. Sizzling Penelope Cruz plays a chef who leaves her restauranteur husband in Brazil after... Read more
Titus (1999)
7.2/10
Director: Julie Taymor
Starring: Alan Cumming, Colm Feore, Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Harry Lennix
"Titus Andronicus", Shakespeare's first tragedy, is given striking treatment by director Julie Taymor, who melds ancient settings with modern accoutre... Read more
McLibel (1998)
6.8/10
Director: Ken Loach, Franny Armstrong
Starring: Dave Morris, Helen Steele, John Safran, Rob Newman
When McDonald's decided to sue two young English protestors for libel, they didn't expect to be in court for years on end. The true story of England's... Read more
The Dinner Game (1998)
Director: Francis Veber
Starring: Thierry Lhermitte, Jacques Villeret, Daniel Prevost, Alexandra Vandernoot
Laughter is the main course in this acclaimed Gallic farce. Snide publisher Thierry Lhermitte delights in attending dinner parties where he and his so... Read more
Au Petit Marguery (1997)
7/10
Director: Laurent Benegui
Starring: Stephane Audran, Michel Aumont, Alain Beigel
The restaurant Au Petit Marguery is a haven of friendship, a small paradise in Paris. Tonight a certain nostalgia fills the air. Tonight is closing ni... Read more