Ratatouille (Blu-ray Disc, 2007)

Pixar has certainly outdone themselves with the animated feature Ratatouille; the story of a young rat named Remy who pairs up with the imbecile (but well meaning) Linguini to form one of the greatest culinary talents Paris has ever seen.

Much has been said of the “if you put your mind to it” angle as well as the staple stereotypes (e.g., “don’t go near humans,” etc.). But what really struck me was what the critique, Anton Ego (voiced by legendary actor Peter O’Toole) said as he was pondering what to write in his food column.

“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize that only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.”

Critics in most circles usually have the necessary machinery to get their message across and as Anton Ego pointed out, they –“thrive on negative criticism” – as this is what causes controversy; a demand; and in most cases, even a need. But Ego also makes his readers (or in the case of the movie, listeners) realize is that despite what any one critic or person says, the most important opinion is that of your own.

Well, that’s what I got out of it. What did you get out of it?