What the Manolo Is…
Manolo says, it is the Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…
The Manolo just this past week saw the Ratatouille movie and now must note that it is absolutely delightful; funny, clever, beautifully done, and wonderfully written. Of the course, all of this now makes the Manolo ask, why can they not make the live action movies with this much heart and soul?
The Manolo was especially taken with the character of the critic Anton Ego, for he proves what the Manolo has long known, that within every cynic lies the disillusioned romantic, one who may be returned to the state of grace by the experience of the sublime.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:48 am
The latest from Pixar was brilliant, but not convincing: I can accept living talking scheming toys and rebellious insects, but rats cooking dinner? It overestretches human credulity!
July 10th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Sir, I agree with you completely in regards to Ratatouille. Speaking as one who has both cooked professionally and who currently keeps several pet rats, Ratatouille may well be the most greatest fantastic movie ever made!
(OK, I’m being a bit over-the-top, but Lord-a-mighty! Was it ever funny!)
July 10th, 2007 at 10:03 am
What a great film! So it’s not reality-based. The film crew brilliantly captures very human, universal emotions. The evocative combination of writing, live-action integration, fabulous artwork, and wonderful score provided a terribly enjoyable respite from a too-hot afternoon last week! I personally was entralled with the awesome flute playing, especially as the rat scurried through the pipes early in the film.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:15 am
This was a movie made with a tremendous amount of love - love for food, love for Paris, love for cooking and the art of it. We loved it. Clever, witty - adult issues - so who cares that the lesson is being taught by a family of rats, a rather thin critic, a crowd of over the top characters in the kitchen (”I killed a man with this thumb.”)? The lesson on the knife work is worth the price of admission alone. Just mesmerizing. My only (only) quibble: Why not use Gerard Depardieu or Jean Reno(who seems to be the current “go to” guy on all things French) as the voice of Gusteau? That is my only “bone to pick”. Other than that - genius and already on my family’s list for DVDs we must buy for the collection.
July 10th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
” … within every cynic lies the disillusioned romantic, one who may be returned to the state of grace by the experience of the sublime”.
This is exactly why I read the wise words of the Manolo and gaze at the beautiful shoes that he so unerringly selects. After a particularly irritating meeting (like the one I just attended), it soothes the soul.
July 10th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Oh, I just loved “Ratatouille,” as did my husband (we’re already planning our next trip to Paris). It was so visually rich that sometimes I’d just start watching the details in the background or the foreground and then miss some of the dialogue. The music was wondrous, all the characters were perfectly rendered, and as someone who loves to cook, I found the cooking mesmerizing. Every piece of food–every sprig of chervil, every slice of leek–was rendered with perfect verisimilitude. I think all the recipes are real; the D.C. Examiner ran the ratatouille recipe (created by a real chef) yesterday, and it didn’t look too dauntingly difficult. Someone must publish the “Ratatouille” cookbook!
Anton Ego stole the movie, didn’t he? His review–what he said about the work of the critic being inferior to even the worst piece of junk that’s actually created by someone–was so right and so beautifully written (and I’m speaking as an of-and-on critic myself). I don’t want to give away the ending, but the point of the movie is thrilling: the transformative power of creative art.
Oh, and squeamish folks, don’t worry about rats preparing dinner: They take a collective shower in the dishwasher, so they’re nice and clean.
July 10th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
why can they not make the live action movies with this much heart and soul?
I’m afraid that the vast majority of our American actors have far less acting ability than computer-generated characters.
(Obviously I am a bit of the disillusioned romantic. Comes from watching too many “classic” and French and British movies.)
July 10th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Ferran Adria is a genius. Have you been to El bulli? I would love to go one day. Apparently it is booked out for 2009!!
Anthony bourdain is cool too.. all his books are great. Do you live in San sebastian?