5 inspiring themes from a kids movie: Ratatouille
by blogrdoc
I just watched Ratatouille last night and I absolutely loved it. It beautifully summarizes all the important themes I’ve touched on in this blog. Here’s a summary.
Appreciating good food
Our hero rat, Remy, who has been taught to eat garbage all his life decides for himself that there is more to life than scarfing down whatever he can get his hands on. He naturally appreciates the complexities of flavor and the infinite combinations that can be explored.
Related: Cooks Illustrated, Art and Science of Grocery Shopping, Michael Pollan - Eat No Food That Makes a Health Claim
Innovation vs ‘Following the recipe’
In an attempt to foil Remy and Alfredo, the villain, Skinner, orders Alfredo to cook a recipe which he knows will produce a terrible dish. Thanks to Remy’s brilliance, he avoids following the recipe and creates a new and delicious creation which catapults the restaurant into a raging success.
Related: A blogrdoc original
Rejecting ‘Generally Accepted’ Assumptions and Striving for More
Throughout the movie, there is a recurring theme of cultivating the self to an even higher ideal.
Related: Evolving beyond survival of the fittest
Leadership
Towards the end of the movie, Remy directs an army of his friend rodents to do all the cooking for the restaurant. Filled with the competence, confidence and vision, he gives clear instruction and masterfully orchestrates a large organization.
Related: The Jedi Mind Trick, The fine print on leadership
Inspiring Transformation in Others
In the end, the stuffy restaurant critic, Anton Ego, recognizes the brilliance of Remy’s cooking and is transformed into new life.
This last topic, I haven’t posted much on. As far as inspiring others, I strongly believe this single truth:
You cannot give what you do not have.
This doesn’t mean I try to be expert in all topics to give all sorts of instruction, but I do believe that when you demonstrate earnestness, commitment to excellence and integrity (the core traits), you will inspire others to do the same.
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5 Responses to “5 inspiring themes from a kids movie: Ratatouille”
By alik | Practice This on Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
Loved the movie too! A LOT!!!
Ain’t you forgetting something important?
Like LOVE?….
http://blogrdoc.com/blog/2008/04/14/to-laugh-to-learn-and-to-love/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnS5bGlnZwM
By blogrdoc on Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
@Alik:
Oh yes… love.. of course. Did you notice how Alfredo started to change once he fell in love with Collette. Love is perhaps the greatest motivation for change, isn’t it? Thanks for pointing this out!
By dvdvoice on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
Love this post. I so much enjoyed the movie. You’ve hit these right on. :)
By blogrdoc on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
@dvdvoice: I’m convinced that Ratatouille was inspired by classic French literature from the French revolution. victor Hugo, perhaps. (note the heroine’s name: Collete as in the girl from Les Mis) The symbolism is so rich. thanks for stopping by!