“Ratatouille” is delicious!
Like the garlicky stew for which it is named, the newest tour de force from the folks at Pixar Animation Studios creates a savory blend.
Part witty send-up of French culture and the FoodChannel, part eccentric adventure and part sweet message movie about following one’s bliss, it delves into the world of haute cuisine in Paris from the point of view of an aspiring rodent chef.
The joy of gourmet cooking and the behind-the-scenes interworkings of a fine continental restaurant aren’t obvious milieus for a family film. Yes, the littler kiddies are sure to be attracted to its adorably conceived rat protagonist Remy (voiced by edgy comedian Patton Oswalt) and some high-energy physical comedy set pieces around kitchens and below idyllic Parisian arrondissements. That may not be enough for tykes in a G-rated cartoon, though, that runs about 15 to 20 minutes too long with a script that seems more likely to tickle the palettes of adolescent and adult foodies.
Ah, but for us — thanks to great animation director-writer Brad Bird (“The Incredibles,” “Iron Giant”) — the sense of place is so strong you can almost smell the bouillabaisse. It’s surprisingly easy to accept that the hero is a vermin, that most disgusting and feared presence in a professional kitchen, who yearns to follow in the footsteps of his idol, the world-renowned late Chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett).
Fate helps Remy indulge his delusions of cooking grandeur when he finds himself at Gusteau’s famous restaurant. There the diminutive rodent meets the hapless human Linguini (Lou Romano), a lowly assistant with a special connection to the place. Before you can say “eh, voila!” Remy becomes a Cyrano de Bergerac of fabulous food preparation for Linguini, who is also aided by his soon-to-be love interest, the more experienced cook Colette (Janeane Garofalo). The rat conjures exquisite dishes by proxy through the young man using an imaginative method that must be seen to be believed.
Soon, the bistro’s dastardly current executive chef Skinner (Ian Holm) becomes not only suspicious but jealous of Linguini. The sometimes over-involved narrative culminates when strict food critic Anton Ego (hilariously voiced by Peter O’Toole) arrives and blows the lid off Remy’s secret talent.
Boosted by its intricately authentic and yet heightened CGI visuals of tasty victuals and European charm, the movie’s sly humor not only takes aim at affected French ways but also at arrogant cultural critics (ouch!) and the new cult of celebrity chefs. Meanwhile, it honors and even educates about the art form behind gourmet cuisine while reminding that even the wildest dream can come true.
‘Ratatouille’
4/5 stars
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, Peter O’Toole, Brad Garrett
Director: Brad Bird
Rated G
