Lesson Plans - Ratatouille

Dear Teachers,

This is a fun film.  It’s a cartoon set in France, in Paris, and in the restaurant/food tradition of the French.  It plays with the French stereotype but not at all in a mean way.  Disney is a master at capturing our propensities in an amusing way.  It may be interesting, though, to begin with a conversation about stereotypes – what they are and how they can be dangerous.

The accent used by most of the humans in the film is French.  See if you can differentiate the French accent from say how the mice talk, using more American accents.  The father of the protagonist mouse, by the way, speaks in a Brooklyn accent, what we consider a New York Jewish accent; this accent has the feel of someone very straight forward and practical.  Speaking of accents, though, note what accent is used by the diabolical figure in the film, the Food Critic named humorously Anton Ego. 

The story is pretty easy to follow.  There are some chase scenes and some cooking practice scenes that the students will find very entertaining.

Let me take a minute, though, to describe a legal battle in the middle of the plot which you may want to explain to the students before the film.  In some ways this battle is not that important.  The emotions and ability to follow ones passion play center role.  But just so this issue won’t confuse the students, a short review of the legal storyline may be helpful.

During the story, Gusteau the chef dies – apparently of a broken heart because he lost one of the stars for his restaurant caused by a bad review from Anton Ego.  At his death, a letter is written giving all rights to the Gusteau name to his “sous chef,” a very short bossy character in the film referred to as “the chef.”  The document reads that the sous chef will receive the Gusteau estate in full in two years time if no other protest is made.  Linguini is the son of Gusteau’s girlfriend and so is legally Gusteau’s son and formal heir.  Linguini bears a letter written by his late mother saying she knows everything about the 2 year waiting period and her son will continue NOT to know about the letter if the chef continues to employ him.  Linguini is the world’s worst employee and it’s there the action begins. 

DISCUSSION BEFORE THE FILM

This is a film that uses rats for protagonists.  But Disney did not want the rats to appear ugly and bothersome.  Look carefully how Disney framed the animals to appear lovable and cuddly.  Look at the camera angles used.  Look at the attributes they give to the rats to appear cute.  What eye movements do the rats use?  Are these human gestures and expressions?

The chef celebrated in the film is called Gusteau and is considered the “Toast of Paris.”  What does that mean?  His restaurant has 5 stars.  What is the star system?  How do you get stars?  How can they be taken away?  What importance do they have?

What about the world of food criticism?  Who are the food critics?  Why are they important?  Who follows their advice?

Some helpful vocabulary/terms

To nod – annuire
Will – testamento
Snooty – snob
Veal – vitello
To have guts – the ability to follow your passion
Hork it down – a way of saying swallowing fast
Our reputation is hanging by a thread – reputation in danger of being ruined
Peasant dish – a food that is not elegant
Roasted on a spit – cooked on an open fire pit
Rock me to the core – deeply influential

This is a film about following your passion, doing what you really want to do in life, or staying with the role your family gives you, about only staying close to home.  What can you say about that topic?  Have you ever wanted to do something your parents or family don’t approve of?  What happens? 

DISCUSSION AFTER THE FILM

There’s a strong message in the film – Passion is Food and is not limited by where you come from.  The only limit is in your soul.  What does this message mean to you?  Does Remy have to go against the expectations of his family to follow his passion? 

Is Remy following his passion in the film?  What is his dilemma?  More interestingly, who is Gusteau for Remy in the film?  A figment of his imagination?  In what way?  Gusteau says a cook makes, a thief takes, food always comes to those who love to cook – explain this line in the film.

How would you describe Anton Ego?  He finds Gusteau’s book’s title amusing – ANYONE CAN COOK.  Why doesn’t he agree?

What words would you use to describe Linguini?  How would you describe his friendship with Remy the mouse?  Why do those two become such good work partners? 

How would you describe Colette?  What is her point about rules made by men, rules to keep women from becoming chefs?  Colette describes her colleagues in the kitchen as all actors and pirates.  What was she talking about? 

How would you describe Anton Ego’s office?  What role did he try to play in the world of food criticism?  What transformation does Ego experience in the film?  What does the Ratatouille dish do to him?  Why?  Can you remember the flashback he had after eating one mouthful of Ratatouille?  His career then changes?  Why?