Ratatouille

This 2007 Disney/Pixar film captures the good, bad and ugly of our love affair with food.  The main character of Ratatouille is a rat named Remy who turns out to be a great chef.  Unsatisfied with the garbage the rest of his family consumes, Remy craves the kind of variety, delicious smells and endless combinations of flavors available in human kitchens.  He eventually becomes the culinary brains behind a clumsy, awkward young cook.  The two create many wonderful recipes on their way to rebuilding the reputation of France’s once great restaurants.
 

 

DISCUSS: 

1. Read Matthew 6:9-13 aloud together and discuss how these versus inform a proper perspective of relating to food?  (See "A" below)
2. What are some of the unhealthy attitudes and actions various characters display in this film?  (See "B" below)
3. How can we align our own habits with what God intends for us?   (See "C" below)

THINK ABOUT IT: 

• A)  As created beings we are dependent upon God to provide for us - including the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink.  That's why Jesus taught us to depend upon Him for what we need ("Give us this day our daily bread") and to seek strength in resisting temptation to over-indulge ("lead us not into temptation").    
• B) The Master Chef Gusteau has a giant belly suggesting he spent his life overindulging in food - possibly leading to his early death.  (Over Eater)  On the "skin-and-bones" end of the scale is the snooty critic Anton Ego who portrays an attitude of superiority and arrogance.  Rather than receive God's gift of food with gratitude, he rejects anything that doesn't meet his personal taste standards.  (Picky Eater)  Remy’s brother Emile eats anything and everything without regard for the look, smell or taste.  In one scene, Remy expressed disgust when his brother eagerly eats a bit of trash without a clue what it is.  Emile justified his lack of taste, suggesting there are limitless food possibilities once you learn to “muscle your way past the gag reflex.”  (Obsessive Eater) 
• C)  We can pause to give thanks before eating to acknowledge our dependence upon God and our gratitude for His life-sustaining gifts.  We can also eat what is placed before us to acknowledge we receive what comes rather than demand our way.  Finally, we can participate in a periodic fast from unhealthy foods to discipline our stomachs rather than allowing them to rule our lives.      

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