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balderdash111 · 11-23-2004, 10:30 AM

This is an exceedingly silly discussion thread, but I was struck by a food-related movie moment the other day and wanted to share.

"Empire of the Sun," the much maligned Spielberg film about an English boy (a young Christian Bale) who is sent to a Japanese concentration camp in WWII, has what I think is among the best "oh my god I want to eat that food" moments I've seen.

The main character is abandoned by his parents (a Spielberg cliche) in Shanghai after the Japanese invasion. After surving in his parents' lavish house for months, he runs out of food and is left roaming the streets of Shanghai trying to survive. There, he is picked up by Joe Pantoliano (spelling?), who takes him to the hidden hideout of John Malcovitch.

When the little boy enters the hideout, the camera cuts to Malcovich frying some plain white rice in frying pan.

So help me, when you see the moment, you would swear that fried white rice is the greatest food on God's green earth. You want to grab handfuls of it and stuff it in your face.

Of course, that is the point. The little boy is starving and the rice looks like heaven to him (and when he gets some, he does indeed shovel it into his face like there is no tomorrow). Speilberg makes it seem more delicious by cranking up the volume on the frying crackle of the rice to make it even more appealing.

My mouth is watering just thinking about that scene.

Anyone else have food moments like this from a film?

(and FYI, no I do not have a food fetish, and no I am not obese. In short, I don't think this reflects a strange obsession with food on my behalf)

11-23-2004, 10:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
balderdash111 Psycho	Silly Subject: Tastiest depiction of food This is an exceedingly silly discussion thread, but I was struck by a food-related movie moment the other day and wanted to share. "Empire of the Sun," the much maligned Spielberg film about an English boy (a young Christian Bale) who is sent to a Japanese concentration camp in WWII, has what I think is among the best "oh my god I want to eat that food" moments I've seen. The main character is abandoned by his parents (a Spielberg cliche) in Shanghai after the Japanese invasion. After surving in his parents' lavish house for months, he runs out of food and is left roaming the streets of Shanghai trying to survive. There, he is picked up by Joe Pantoliano (spelling?), who takes him to the hidden hideout of John Malcovitch. When the little boy enters the hideout, the camera cuts to Malcovich frying some plain white rice in frying pan. So help me, when you see the moment, you would swear that fried white rice is the greatest food on God's green earth. You want to grab handfuls of it and stuff it in your face. Of course, that is the point. The little boy is starving and the rice looks like heaven to him (and when he gets some, he does indeed shovel it into his face like there is no tomorrow). Speilberg makes it seem more delicious by cranking up the volume on the frying crackle of the rice to make it even more appealing. My mouth is watering just thinking about that scene. Anyone else have food moments like this from a film? (and FYI, no I do not have a food fetish, and no I am not obese. In short, I don't think this reflects a strange obsession with food on my behalf) __________________ A little silliness now and then is cherished by the wisest men. -- Willy Wonka Last edited by balderdash111; 11-23-2004 at 11:35 AM..