Movies

I Cried Harder Watching Ratatouille as an Adult—Here’s Why It Hit Me Like a Ton of Bricks

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Ratatouille is one of the best Pixar movies ever, and I stand by that even years later.

It’s clear that there are numerous excellent Pixar films and highly anticipated upcoming ones, making for a lively debate. However, in my opinion, the movie “Ratatouille” has consistently ranked among the top for me. Incredibly, it was released eighteen years ago. Yes, you heard that correctly, it’s been eighteen years.

Wow, that scene made me realize how much older I’ve become. Yet, as a young adult who has invested a significant portion of my life into cooking, watching Ratatouille again in 2021 was during the early stages of my culinary adventure. This time around, I rewatched the movie to see if it would still resonate with me, and surprisingly, I ended up shedding tears – for reasons entirely different from my initial viewing.

The Movie Still Slaps Years Later

Pixar is often recognized as a film studio that consistently delivers high-quality movies, although they’ve had some missteps along the way, generally speaking, you can count on an enjoyable viewing experience. For me, Ratatouille has always been one of their standout films, and its appeal has only grown stronger for me over time as I matured.

Indeed, this movie remains among the top ones produced by the studio, largely due to Brad Bird’s involvement. Notably, he has also directed “The Incredibles” and its sequel, as well as the upcoming “Incredibles 3.” Given my affinity for superheroes, I must say his portrayal of these characters is exceptional. His skill in this film is undeniably evident.

The story is universally understandable, revolving around an ordinary character named Alfredo Linguine, voiced by Lou Romano (an interesting choice for a character name). It’s about his journey in mastering cooking skills and receiving assistance, but as he progresses, he becomes entangled in the allure of fame. However, eventually, he returns to those who initially supported him during his journey.

This production might not be extraordinary, but it’s skillfully executed, featuring a rodent character that adds an unusual touch. However, what truly moved me to tears in this movie was a particular scene – the heart-wrenching ending, specifically Ego’s critique.

Ego’s Review Hit Harder As An Adult

When it comes to Pixar’s most detestable characters, Ego (voiced by Peter O’Toole) isn’t on that list. In the movie Ratatouille, he is portrayed as a villain because he’s a critic, and his harsh words could potentially lead to the closure of the restaurant. However, it’s important to remember that he’s still just a critic. Critics evaluate, and that’s essentially their role. After all, we are all doing something similar here at TopMob, so I can’t really blame him for doing his job.

However, it’s his review that he says hit me harder, mainly because of my cooking journey.

Instead of summarizing Ego’s entire review word for word since it’s quite extensive, I’ll share its main idea with you. Initially, Ego points out that critics tend to enjoy negative criticism because it allows them some emotional distance. However, the real challenge arises when they encounter new talent, which forces them to reconsider their established notions about what they thought they already knew.

At Gusteau’s restaurant, it was there that he encountered something unexpected – the cooking process, the undeniable greatness, even from a rodent. Although Remy, voiced by Patton Oswalt, wasn’t explicitly mentioned, his presence certainly challenged his long-held beliefs. He had previously dismissed Gusteau’s phrase “anyone can cook” as ludicrous, but now he understands its truth, and it was this sentiment that brought tears to his eyes.

Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.

The essential point of the film is this: Regardless of your background or actions, you possess the ability to achieve greatness. This message resonated deeply with me, given my ongoing journey to improve my cooking skills and strive for self-improvement.

Obviously, That Flash To The Past Is Great Still, But It Means More

It’s commonly agreed among viewers that the most memorable moment in Ratatouille is Ego’s recollection of the past, particularly when he savors the dish, reminding him of his youth. That scene remains quite impactful.

As an adult, what truly enhances my enjoyment now is that I fully grasp its essence. I realize that the joy and nostalgia a fantastic dish brings stems from reminding us of simpler times. And it’s a skill I may not have developed without first watching this film, as it sparked inspiration in me years ago.

Making certain meals now brings back memories of my childhood, as if I’ve traveled back in time whenever I prepare them. In fact, when I bake homemade pizza today, it feels like I’m pleasing my younger self, because I took the time to master the art of creating dishes that I cherished and appreciated.

The Idea That Even A Critic Starts To Believe A Great Artist Could Come From Anywhere Made Me Smile And Cry

In general, critics can be quite daunting, and striving to win their approval is another hurdle that many in the creative fields and culinary industry often find stressful. This pattern repeats itself frequently. However, when Ego claimed that an artist could emerge from any place, it stirred up emotions.

Critics can be scary, and trying to please them is a tough job that many artists and chefs worry about. This happens often. But when Ego said that an artist can come from anywhere, it made people feel emotional.

Initially, my thought process about cooking was quite different. To be honest, I never imagined I’d progress far enough to call myself an “artist.” In numerous aspects, I still feel the same way, and I believe that’s a positive thing. It’s essential to keep growing, even if you feel you’ve reached your limit.

On one hand, that remark stirred deep introspection within me – it struck me that my promise to my younger self was not just about personal growth, but also about nurturing those around me as a chef. Over time, I’ve significantly enhanced my skills, to the point where I can now prepare numerous dishes without a recipe. This transformation stems from my earnest embrace of Ego’s advice, a realization that is only dawning on me now.

Aside From Making Me Hungry, The Film Made Me Whole, Too

Watching this movie, I found myself in a predicament. The tantalizing food scenes inevitably left me craving more, but at the same time, the storyline managed to satiate something deeper within me. It gave significance to all that I had experienced during the past two years.

Initially, I had a tough time with cooking, but now, it’s something I’m deeply passionate about. To keep my enthusiasm going, I tune in to top culinary channels or stream baking shows on Netflix, learning how to add the ideal amount of chocolate to a cake and mastering various other baking methods. It was only by taking that leap of faith in myself that I discovered this newfound passion.

As a cinephile, I hail from a household where culinary prowess wasn’t our forte. My mother did her best to whip up delicious dishes, yet when I return home these days, it’s my cooking skills that have everyone in my family eagerly anticipating their meals.

In my younger days, I was accustomed to creating items for those dear to me. I’ve always been a creative soul, often leaving my mother’s finances depleted at Michael’s more times than I can count. However, my unique gifts were the means through which I expressed affection. It’s amusing that this tradition continues in my life, albeit, the things I make are now edible. And it is this movie that has kept the flame of my passion burning brightly.

And that…is a wonderful thing. And a testament to how great Ratatouille really is.

Previously mentioned, I may not be a professional artist, but the film has sparked within me a drive to continually improve and reach my full potential – producing work that leaves my house visitors eagerly anticipating more.

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2025-07-11 14:09

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