If you’re a lover of both film and food, chances are you have noticed that the two often go hand in hand. From romantic candlelit dinners at an Italian bistro to a bowl of popcorn with a Saturday matinee – food has infiltrated its way into plot lines and served as visual cues to set the scene and convey themes across genres. In a special feature from our publication, we will be taking a closer look at how food is used in movies and TV shows, and what it can tell us about culture and society. Read on to explore the nexus of food and film in our series titled, “Silver Screen Bites”!
1. Dissecting the Deliciousness of Silver Screen Cuisine
A visit to the cinema has an undeniable dynamic that captivates. It takes us on a journey – an exploration of the unknown – all from the comfort of our cinema seat. Screeching violins and sweeping brass sections from a live orchestra can bring us to tears, but a large bucket of buttered popcorn will never let us forget why we went. With each passing cinematic masterwork, the audience collectively sits in awe at the marvelous creations coming alive on the amazing silver screen.
The tantalizing creations of culinary art have long held a fascination with the cinematic viewer. Flavor bombs of bright red tomato sauce for spaghetti, oozing omelettes adorned with a spark of parsley, the dulcet drips of a freshly-cut cake, and don’t forget that exploding milkshake. It’s as if each food item beautifully leaps off the plate, each bite imparting its own flavor story.
- In Julie & Julia (2009), Meryl Streep plays an aspiring chef in Paris taking classical French cooking to new heights.
- In Hook (1991), Robin Williams’s attempt to make a perfect puddin’ draws viewers in with mouth-watering appeal.
- In Chocolat (2000), Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp craft seductive concoctions starring cocoa.
The bright colors, appetizing scents, and sheer volume of movies devoted to cooking have made the silver screen a great taste-tester’s go-to spot for delights. We can witness the action of rolling pastry dough, and even harder to catch; the way the chef quickly whisks cream for that elegant souffle. As viewers, we experience the full range of emotions that come with a bite of the perfect chocolate cake.
Sometimes meals are as much about the ingredients that go missing from the plate as the ones that stay. Every now and then, filmmakers embrace emptiness, walking us through a sandbox of imagination that leaves us, the viewer, yearning for more. These mysterious plots of the unexperienced dish tantalize our palates forcing us to bring our own versions of taste.
Duration has also set its limits on cinematic fare. While the audience salivates for plates that takes hours to make, filmmakers lose no time in showing the meal and it’s delightful aftermath when all of the plates have been scraped bare.
Overall, whether we are drawn to the quirky humor of the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) series or seek the fantastic looking meals of Harry Potter (2001-2011), one thing is certain: silver screen cuisine will always entice our taste buds with explosive flavors!
2. Exploring the Impact of Food in Movies and TV
Movies and television have always highlighted the significance of food in our lives. From cartoon characters chowing down on hotdogs while singing catchy songs, to lush romantic dinners in award-winning dramas. Many films and TV shows use food as a device to explore aspects of culture and society.
The use of food can tell us a lot about the characters in films and TV – what their preferences are, where they come from, what time periods they live in. Take for example the Breakfast Club. A classic 1985 exploration of teenage angst set in a high school detention room. In the opening scene, the 5 main characters present their packed lunch items to the camera.
From these items we can infer certain characteristics about the characters. Their packed lunch choices – processed cheese, fried baloney, corned beef hash – is the epitome of an 80s-style lunch. The whole premise of the film acknowledges that the characters come from different experiences and backgrounds, which is confirmed by their presented food items and how they talk about the contents of their lunches.
- Food as Symbolism – Food items, from pizza to raw fish, can be used to map deeper symbols of culture. In the 2018 hit film Crazy Rich Asians, Jessica explores the night markets in Singapore with her friend, Amelia, stopping at a hawker house for dinner. There, she has a bowl of noodles with barbecued pork, portions of fishcake, and egg which are a not-so-subtle display of Chinese culture.
- Food as Comfort – Often, a bowl of soup or a plate of mashed potatoes will act as a source of solace and comfort in a movie, used to either calm a character down or signify a moral lesson or familiar bond. Who can forget the iconic Hangover scene in which barbed wire is cut off Stu’s hair with a pair of soup spoons? Or the powerful finale of The Shawshank Redemption where Andy Dufrain is offered a cold beer on the beach?
- Food as Education – Movies and TV shows can give us a tour around different countries and cultures by simply introducing dishes from those areas. A movie like Jiro Dreams of Sushi takes us on a culinary and spiritual journey deep into the heart of Tokyo sushi culture, giving us a glimpse into a world of flavour and dedication.
Food in movies and TV has the power to showcase certain aspects of different cultures, symbolize comfort and friendship, even causing one to re-evaluate their perspectives. In this way, food is an easy way to tell stories that will reach a wide audience, opening their eyes to ideas and experiences they may not have encountered.
3. Food as a Tool to Facilitate Characters and Plot Points
Food in stories is much more than just a passing detail or an in-universe takeout lunch for one of the characters. It’s a tool that can be used to highlight character development or subtly give clues about the plot. Its physical presence can be used to facilitate characters and plot points as ingredients or meals become integral to the narrative.
Food can be used as a way to illustrate the characters’ cultural and social backgrounds. Each country, region, town, or family could have different dishes that serve to reflect their background. For example, a character from a small, food-obsessed Italian village could be depicted as loving a local signature dish, which shows details about the character’s identity and roots.
Food can also represent character relationships or emotions. When characters cook or share a meal together, a memorable exchange between them is created that can further their plot points and development. It could also add a bit of lightness to a heavy moment, or signify the start of a friendship or romance. In a more delicious version of a ‘meet cute’, the characters might disagree over which dish to have, staking out a rivalry in the process.
Eating habits can also say a lot about people, including their personalities. As humans, it’s natural for us to assume something about someone based on their food preferences. A character who wolfs down a hearty meal might be seen as boisterous and outgoing or the type who doesn’t mind being the center of attention while a person who orders a light salad could come across as health-conscious or conscientious.
For plots, food can also be used to illustrate a change of location, or to introduce certain customs or themes. Take the iconic spaghetti dinner in Lady And The Tramp for instance. This scene was integral in showing the two protagonists meeting each other and conveying the kind of romantic atmosphere that was central to the movie.
- Food can reflect a character’s identity and background
- It can be used to illustrate relationships and emotions
- Eating habits can reveal something about people
- Food can also mark important plot points
The potential of food as a storytelling tool is truly immense and taking advantage of it could give your story extra depth and flavor.
4. Savoring the Sinsisterly Scrumptious Side of Cinema Snacks
Get ready to indulge in the guilty pleasures of cinema snacks. It is no secret that some of the best snacks at the theater are often the most unhealthy—from chips, popcorn and candy to nachos and soda, unhealthy snacks play an essential role in movie-watching experience.
- Chocolate
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Candy
- Nachos
- Soda
We all love to indulge in these offerings, as they’re often the perfect accompaniment to an unforgettable on-screen affair. The crunchy, sweet flavor of the tempting snacks can be almost as satisfying as the movie itself! When you’re getting lost in the drama or the comedy, nothing beats taking a sip of your favorite sugary soda or a handful of sweet and salty popcorn.
Maybe you’re a dark chocolate connoisseur, or a classic chips enthusiast. Perhaps you’re an old-fashioned candy lover, or a fan of the more creative offerings, like honey-roasted almond popcorn. Whatever your preference, it’s hard to deny the satisfaction associated with enjoying a classic movie snack while watching Cars 3, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, or The Lego Movie.
Cinema snacks have been around for decades. Whether you’re young or old, everyone has fond memories of enjoying these classic treats—there’s something about the combination of sweet and salty that makes any movie experience unforgettable. So the next time you’re out at the theater, why not treat yourself to a handful of your favorite snacks? These sinful and scrumptious treats may be unhealthy, but hey—they’re a part of the movie-going experience, and they’re here to stay!
Like a genre unto itself, food has had an ongoing and multifaceted presence in films and television, from wildly creative dishes to comedic commentary. We’ve seen in “Silver Screen Bites” how food has captivated us on the big and small screens. How else will food manifest in our beloved films and shows? Here’s hoping that our cinematic culinary adventures continue for generations to come. Bon appetit!
