Ratatouille

Ratatouille - 2007

Movie Info

Rating: G

Age-appropriateness: a somewhat scary scene where a granny tries to shot rats with a shotgun

Overview: A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous restaurant. Ratatouille is a wonderful movie with layers of emotional depth. The main concept behind the story is that we are not stuck in a life we cannot escape. Our family upbringing and even parental expectations do not define us.

Themes: food, cooking, purpose, calling, partnership, family, trust, pretending, lying, work ethic, criticism, Holy Spirit

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Passion. Do you agree with Chef Gusteau when he said, "Anyone can cook"? Or do you think there are certain things in life that just a handful of people can do really well?

Chef Gusteau says, “Anyone can cook”. Chef Gusteau believed that, if they were willing to work really hard, anyone could achieve a great goal. It doesn't always matter how much talent you were born with. If you're willing to work hard and never give up on your passion, you can learn just about anything.

2. The Holy Spirit. Have you ever felt a nudge or heard a voice inside of your head telling you what to do?

Throughout the movie, when Remy is about to make a bad decision, or he needs a boost in self confidence, the ghost of Chef Gusteau shows up and points him in the right direction. The is kind of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives: it gives us a "nudge" sometimes to help us make the right decision. It's like a little voice inside our heads that gives us wisdom or reminds us to do the right thing.

3. Criticism. How quick are you to criticize others? How often do you courageously do something, knowing others might criticize your work?

Anton Ego submits his review for Gusteau's restaurant and Remy's meal. It's easy to criticize others and it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. Ego is open to change. He values the different styles and backgrounds of others, and his life is transformed and now full of joy because of it. He says, “A great artist can come from anywhere”.

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Parenting self-evaluation: Chef Gusteau called out qualities in Remy that Remy didn’t even realize he had within himself. What capabilities or characteristics are you intentional about calling out in your child? What leadership quality or skill can you help build their confidence in?

2. Take some time with your child to either make a new recipe together or play “kitchen”. What are your favorite foods to eat? Do you like to cook?

3. Remy and his family live life stealing other people’s food so that they can eat. Is there ever a time that you think it’s okay to take something that’s not yours? Why or why not?

4. Chef Gusteau says, “Anyone can cook”. Chef Gusteau believed that, if they were willing to work really hard, anyone could achieve a great goal. It doesn't always matter how much talent you were born with. If you're willing to work hard and never give up on your passion, you can learn just about anything. Do you agree with Chef Gusteau? Or do you think there are certain things in life that just a handful of people can do really well?

Check out this article on How to Talk to Your Child About Their Purpose/Calling.

5. Conversely, food critic Anton Ego lived most of his life believing everyone had limits on what they could accomplish. He spent his life criticizing others. Did he appear to be happy in life? Do you think his perspective on the potential of other people had anything to do with it?

6. Throughout the movie, when Remy is about to make a bad decision, or he needs a boost in self confidence, the ghost of Chef Gusteau shows up and points him in the right direction. The is kind of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives: it gives us a "nudge" sometimes to help us make the right decision. It's like a little voice inside our heads that gives us wisdom or reminds us to do the right thing. Can you think of a time this has happened to you?

7. Remy was a rat, yet he ended up being one of the best cooks in Paris! Your background doesn’t determine your potential. Is there anything you think you can’t do because of how, where, or when you grew up?

8. Linguini pretended to be something he wasn’t (a good chef). In order to keep it going, he had to lie about more and more things. Why do you think he kept up the lie? Did you notice how his lies started to pile up?

9. Remy and Anton Ego both love food. Yet their experience with food brought far different levels of joy. Remy had positive enthusiasm and Ego had critical judgement. Sometimes it’s not only our passions that make us who we are, but it’s the attitudes we choose to have. Attitude is a choice, every time, no matter what happens to you. How has your attitude been over the past week? How can you make the deliberate choice to have a positive attitude in the week to come?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:04 Chef Gusteau says, “there is excellence everywhere, if you only stop to savor it”. Is there anything that you use to enjoy but it’s just part of everyday life now? What are some of the small things in life you might be taking for granted?

:08 Chef Gusteau says, “You must be imaginative, strong hearted. You must try things that may not work. And you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from.” Is there anything that your friends can do that you don’t think you can? What are some things you wish you were better at?

:25 Linguini makes a mistake and almost messes up the soup. He nearly lost his job because of it. Every single person makes mistakes. Rom 3:23 says, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." When we do anything that goes against God's best for us, it’s called “sin”. Our sin separates us from God, but Jesus loves you so much that he gave his life up so that your sins would be forgiven and you can be with God forever! Only Jesus can make everything right. That’s the best news ever! Have you ever made a mistake that put you in deep trouble?

:38 Remy and Linguini learn to work together. It’s difficult in the beginning, but eventually they work through the difficulty and become a great team. It’s important to keep trying to learn how to work with people because together, we can accomplish so much more than if we were only by ourselves! The results are worth the effort. Who do you have to work with to get things done?

:57 Remy returns to the colony. This scene is a lot like a story Jesus once told about a prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). When Remy returns to the family after being away and following his heart, his father throws a giant party to welcome him back. In the story Jesus told, a son left his home and lost all of his family's money. When he returned home, he was full of shame and embarrassment. Instead of punishing him, his father welcomed him home with open arms. In the same way, God always welcomes anyone into his family, no matter what mistakes they've made in their life. As long as they have faith in Jesus, they become a child of God. Do you feel like you've made any mistakes that will be difficult for God to forgive?

:59 Remy’s father (Django) warns him about getting too close to humans. There are many differences from Django’s advice and what Jesus taught about. What are the differences between Django and Jesus?

Django warns Remy to stay away from those who aren’t like him. Jesus tells us to love everyone, even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
Django says, “the world we live in belongs to the enemy.” God's Word says that, even though Satan has influence on Earth, Jesus is the King. (John 18:36)
Django says, “we look out for our own kind, it’s all we’ve got”. Jesus says love other people more than yourself. (John 15:12)

1:22 Remy’s clan raids the food pantry. Remy betrays the trust of his friend. Trust is to believe that someone is honest and sincere. Trust is very hard to earn and can be lost with one bad decision. How trustworthy do you think you are and why? Who are the people you trust the most and why?

1:32 Remy’s family supports him in crisis. Just like Remy’s family was there for Remy when he most needed help, your church family will ideally also be there for you in times of crisis and struggle. Do you currently enjoy going to church? Who are some of your closest friends there? How can you be a friend that others at church can rely on?

1:39 Anton Ego submits his review for Gusteau's restaurant and Remy's meal. It's easy to criticize others and it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. Ego is open to change. He values the different styles and backgrounds of others, and his life is transformed and now full of joy because of it. He says, “A great artist can come from anywhere”. How quick are you to criticize others? How often do you courageously do something, knowing others might criticize your work?