The Slice #21

What's up pizza people?!? This is The Slice, the newsletter with an eye like Scorsese. This week, given all the press and hype around The Menu, we figured we'd talk about a few of our favorite food movies!

RATATOUILLE

Don't overthink it - this is one of the best food movies out there! Yes, on the surface it's a children's movie about a rat reaching the highest levels of the culinary world, but this truly has something for everyone, not just the little ones. For one, there is a lack of limitation that comes with any animated movie. Instead of setting up a complicated tracking shot over a stove, the creators can animate whatever they want! This allowed Pixar to really take us inside the cooking process and go all out in their portrayal of what is clearly a very heartfelt love of food. Ratatouille also handled the profession of restaurant criticism with a surprisingly deft touch, which has had a lasting impact in and around the profession. How can criticism uplift and champion lesser-known chefs and restaurants? How can they use their power to upend what has historically been a very homogenous profession? Not bad for a kid's movie. Ratatouille rules.

BIG NIGHT

This classic about a struggling family-owned Italian restaurant covers one of the oldest conflicts in the culinary world - art versus commerce. Sure, chefs want to show the world their exacting visions of what food can be, but what do they owe their customers? How can you balance chasing perfection and, you know, running a business? Wisconsin's own Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci are great as the tortured genius chef and his more pragmatic younger brother. And oh baby, the Timpano! You're gonna need a carb fix after this one.

JULIE & JULIA

Shouts out to the GOAT, Julia Child! This ode to food and those who love it was written by another GOAT (the GOAT of Rom-Coms), Nora Ephron. The premise is simple: Julie Powell, a struggling New Yorker, sets out to cook every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Julie and Julia may be separated chronologically and geographically, but their shared love of all things gastronomy brings them together. The real-life Julie Powell (who sadly passed away this past year) uprooted people's idea of what good food writing could look like, with an unconventional, colorful writing style whose influence can still be seen today. Bonus points for another Stanley Tucci appearance!

THE TRIP

This one's a little farther off the beaten path. British comedian Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour some of England's best restaurants, and when his girlfriend backs out, he brings his "best friend and source of eternal aggravation", Rob Brydon. This may not be for everyone (especially those who tire easily of Michael Caine impressions), but if you can get into it, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. Food is more of an ancillary character in this one, but it's still ostensibly the focus of their trip. Very dry and very British, but if that's your thing, give it a watch!

YOU KNOW WHAT GOES GREAT WITH A MOVIE? PIZZA!

Next time you're spending the night in, vegging out on the couch with a good movie, pair it with some pizza! Use code MOVIEBUFF for 10% off your next Flourchild order!

REFERRAL

Tell your friends about The Slice! We're dishing out sick rewards for different referral milestones - spread the word to earn some sweet swag!

THAT RATATOUILLE MEME

Good artists borrow, great artists steal(from Everything Everywhere All At Once)

That's a wrap for today - see ya next week!

Keep it cheesy, 

Andrew "Hot Sauce" Miller | Joe "Doughboy" Lowery | Kelsey "Slice Slice Baby" Herrera