The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: CineMunch: Movies About Food

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List: 

CineMunch: Movies About Food 

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) 

What is more exciting than going on a tour of the world’s most famous and mysterious chocolate factory? This classic film has connected with so many families over generations with its charming musical numbers, fantastical production design, and magnetic performance from Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. But the chocolate. The candy. All of it. That whole room is full of sweet treats in the form of trees and other plants. A chocolate river. Mysterious new concoctions. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a fun and moving adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel but also a gorgeous exploration of all sweet things.

My Dinner with Andre (1981) 

Who doesn’t enjoy deep philosophical discussions over a nice meal? My Dinner with Andre is a simple set up. Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory sit and enjoy a meal together. But Andre tells plenty of yarns about life and the world around us. Spirited conversations and spirits set the mood so well. This one might not focus on the food itself, but it is a compelling thematic journey that captures that feeling of being out with a friend and catching up on all types of things. This captures a feeling that I am sure all of us have felt at least once out at a restaurant.

Big Night (1996) 

What if your whole life is about food? Two Italian brothers live their lives running a restaurant in 1950’s New Jersey. Big Night is a snapshot of that life, and it is realized thanks to the work of writer/director/star Stanley Tucci. His connection with his on-screen brother, Tony Shalhoub, is the heart of this film. If you ever worked in a restaurant, this captures that feel so well. Food is this purpose and life with the film showing off endlessly delicious dishes. Drama. Comedy. Immaculate omelets. This one has it all.

Chocolat (2000) 

How charming is Chocolat? Infinitely so. A small French film that is just so fun and sweet (at least as sweet as the delicious chocolates in it) is Chocolat. This film has a joyous and charming vibe that is engrossing and moving. Juliette Binoche is the perfect protagonist with the likes of Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Lena Olin filling out the cast. But this charming love story has equal parts of passion and chocolates to sink your teeth into.

Sideways (2004) 

How about some drinks and spirits with your list of foodie flicks? Sideways is all about that wine and human dramedy. Paul Giamatti is a fantastic lead in this middle age drama about people in a transition place in their lives still looking for love (or to get laid in Thomas Haden Church’s case). Through all the mental breakdowns and confrontations, this film still captures the beautiful Napa area of California and delivers a fascinating journey into the world of wine as well.

Ratatouille (2007) 

Can anyone cook? They sure can and that is the beautiful message of Pixar’s beloved film, Ratatouille. For an animated film, this sure produces some gorgeous and delicious food for sure. This film captures the feeling of a high-end restaurant in such a meaningful and impactful way as well. The heart and soul of the film is the passion for cooking, and it just so happens to be in a rat. The film’s antagonist is an iconic representation of food critics as well (Anton Ego). A great story, score, and cast make this such a joyous and beautiful film.

The Trip (2010) 

Do you just want to go on a trip full of food throughout the English countryside? The Trip is a charming comedy about Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon playing fictionalized versions of themselves basically going on a journey to review food. The food is the heart of the film, and this dynamic combo of actors brings all the humor and humanity to it. This is a more impressive version of a food-based travel show…with tons of on point impressions of celebrities. AND it has three wonderful sequels too.

Chef (2014) 

What is one of the best films about rediscovering passion for food and cooking? Chef. Jon Favreau is an aging chef who is in a rut and must go out on his own. Through this charming journey, Favreau starts up a food truck on his own terms, reconnects with his son, and he just might re-spark his marriage too. Favreau gets a whole fantastic ensemble of actors to fill out this stacked cast as well. Humor, heart, and great themes bolster a film full of fantastic food porn as well.

The Menu (2022) 

Who doesn’t like a good old fashioned “eat the rich” tale? The Menu is a biting satire on high society as well as a fantastic thriller packed with so many twists and turns. The film features wild high-end dishes while also delivering the most delicious looking burger in all of film history. Ralph Fiennes and Anya-Taylor Joy anchor this ensemble with fantastic performances in a film that has so much to say while delivering a twisted narrative as well.

The Taste of Things (2023) 

Do you feel passion and lust through food? The Taste of Things is the king of food porn on film. There are long sequences of detailed cooking that are just awe-inspiring and make you want to jump through the screen to devour these dishes. Anh Hung Tran delivers such an impactful film and Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel make such a tantalizing duo. There is the purest seduction scene through food ever put into film. Full of love and tragedy…this film is super French as well.