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French Foodies Eating Up 'Ratatouille'

Soi-disant epicures love the intricately realistic animated chef flick

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2007 1:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Legions of French citizens are crowding theaters for a first taste of Pixar's latest 3-D animated feature Ratatouille, the story of a rodent chef in Paris and now the 4th highest-grossing movie premiere in France's history. The French, known for their devotion to everything food-related, are raving about "Ratatouille" for its fastidious faithfulness to gourmet food and the art of cooking.

A Le Monde critic even deemed the film "one of the greatest gastronomic films in the history of cinema." Filmmakers traveled to famed French restaurants and studied the actions, environments, and creations of real-life chefs to forge Ratatouille's authenticity, the Washington Post reports. "I didn't expect such gastronomical knowledge from an American cartoon!" said a fan.

H l ne Darroze, one of the two top-ranked female chefs in France, whose Paris restaurant kitchen was studied by the makers of Ratatouille.
H l ne Darroze, one of the two top-ranked female chefs in France, whose Paris restaurant kitchen was studied by the makers of "Ratatouille."   (Arnaud 25; Public Domain)
Cast members Patton Oswalt, left and Janeane Garofalo arrive at the premiere of Ratatouille, Friday, June 22, 2007, in Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Cast members Patton Oswalt, left and Janeane Garofalo arrive at the premiere of "Ratatouille," Friday, June 22, 2007, in Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)   (Associated Press)
The film, set in Paris, and largely centered on the production of cuisine, has struck a chord with French audiences.
The film, set in Paris, and largely centered on the production of cuisine, has struck a chord with French audiences.   (KRT Photos)
A still from Ratatouille Brad Bird, 2007.
A still from "Ratatouille" Brad Bird, 2007.   (KRT Photos)
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'Ratatouille' racks up $16M in France opening weekend
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food • film • France • cooking • 3D • Ratatouille • Pixar • chef • cartoon • Le Monde • movies • movie theaters

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