Daily Dialogue — May 21, 2017

“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the ‘new’. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new: an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto, “Anyone can cook.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau’s, who is, in this critic’s opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau’s soon, hungry for more.”

— Ratatouille (2004), screenplay by Brad Bird, story by Jan Pinkava & Jim Capobianco & Brad Bird

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Mealtime.

Trivia: The wine ordered by Anton Ego, Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947, is a real wine, a Grand Cru Bordeaux blend from the St Emilion region and an excellent vintage as well. Bottles stored properly should be in their prime drinking window as late as 2050. A bottle ordered in a restaurant would probably be priced in excess of $2,000 (in 2012 US dollars).

Dialogue On Dialogue: Such a great moment in the movie in which Anton’s cynical wall crumbles with a single bite of ratatouille, the flavor of which transports him back to a happy childhood memory.