DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to RATATOUILLE
How do you honor what your loved ones are passionate about?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are watching Ratatouille and reacting to the theme of telling the story of being an artist. For Remy, it’s through food and cooking, and they talk about how everyone has their own medium of art. Alan talks about the art of filmmaking, both from his perspective and genius director Brad Bird. Jonathan explains why finding your passion is foundational to loving and accepting yourself. And they come up with some wild theories about Remy’s psychosis.
Comments (183)
Dad's definitely leaning into viewing humans as 'the other'. Under the circumstances, that makes practical sense, but in doing so, he can't view humans as ANYTHING but a threat.
Great video! Also, it struck me how Alan said the story of ‘Ratatouille’ only came together in the last 18 months, after Brad Bird was given a bunch of models and sets and then told to write something new for them – not just for how well he did, but also because that’s almost EXACTLY what happened with ‘Zootopia’! For years the Disney studio worked on a *completely* different draft of the story that centered on Nick and involved predators being forced to wear shock collars, but no matter what they tried, it wasn’t working. Eventually, with only a year and a half left, they asked the geniuses at Pixar for help, and were advised their premise was fundamentally flawed – it was impossible to depict a “utopic” city that was also a quasi-apartheid state, and making the societal problem so obvious removed any subtlety to the story. So they threw out the “shock collar” plot altogether and came up with an entirely new story that made the systemic prejudice more subtle and realistic, which ultimately worked much better, both as a story and as a message. It’s amazing, sometimes, what kind of brilliance can come out of a massive time crunch. At least the sequel next year won’t have that issue, hopefully! (Hope it’s all right if I spent most of this comment talking about a whole different movie … 😅)
I remember doing what Remi done , and oddly enough it was a soup dish my friend was cooking and I took it from tasting like death to something that tasted great I was like “ Yay go me “ but in all seriousness though this movie was inspiring and I can relate to Remi on so many levels 🙂☮️💚
I agree with Alan, this is my hands down, no questions asked my FAVORITE Pixar movie of all time. I used to watch this movie every time I went to my dad’s house on the weekends. I can come into any scene and speak along with the characters. This movie is so deep rooted in my growing up and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this and giving these new perspectives I have never paid attention to as a small uneducated child.
I’m not sure how not too sacrifice sleep to achieve my goals. Due to my current circumstances, if I don’t sacrifice sleep, then nothing gets done.
I’m often kept to myself, so I not always aware of what others are passionate about.😅
My problem in life is that I think in song lyrics. As soon as Remy mentions that he was a rat in a cage, my mind immediately goes, "Despite all of his rage." Then music.
The best part of the remy fixing the soup scene is supposedly rats physically cannot gag. Linguini made a soup so bad it breaks biology.
Ratatouille is my favorite Pixar film~ my grandpa loved to cook and this was the last film we watched together before he died.
Between this, Mulan, Goofy movie, and now PALPATINE?! I feel like yall sneaked a peek at my all time favorite movies list and went "let's just do that"
Me: “Oh, like Godzilla Minus One” Five seconds later, Jono: “I think of Godzilla Minus One…” Great minds think alike 😎
I'm one of those guys who have this movie as favourite pixar. I absolutely adore it, but I can't watch movie if I'm hungry :D Ego's monologue is my favourite and I always remember it when I talk about some art (most likely movie or series) "But the bitter truth we critics must face is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so." Even when I really don't like movie I try to remember that people put work in it, so even if I can dislike some elements or most elements, Joel Schumacher worked hard on making batman and robin and there is still value in movie there are still cool moments and that is art. My opinion can't make it good or bad it's still just interpretation of art of someone's work. It actually is pretty important line for my life philosophy because of how much time I spent arguing about movies and series :D
Great therapy session, guys. But. THERE ARE RATS IN THE KITCHEN!! 🤢
That clip with Kronk was S-tier editing. Just…chef’s kiss. Also, loved the Ted Lasso reference in Alan’s introduction. 👍
“If you don’t know what to do without them, something is off.” Me, who’s in the middle of moving to another state with her family away from her parents: OH HEY ITS MY MOM! *groans*
I love this movie! It's my dad's favorite Pixar movie. He reminds me of Remy so much. He also is passionate about cooking. I think in another life he would have been a chief. As a fine artist myself this movie speaks to me. It makes me so happy and reminds me to live my dreams and follow my passions. At my work we put disney movies on and this is one of the ones I always pick. Thank you Jono and Alan for this video and all of your content! Thank you to all the artists of the world!
Who is the better manipulator? Remy or Palpatine? They achieve their goals in very different ways - one by pulling hair, the other by corrupting a peaceful Republic and turning it into a genocidal dictatorship... but are they so different? Yes. Yes they are.
That sounds like the start of a really good video essay that I would go so hard for
Hard agree on Anton Ego’s monologue, one of THE best in all of cinema. Did anyone notice that at the end, he was starting to put on a bit of weight? His cheeks were a lot fuller, Remy was giving him food he wanted to swallow. 😊
Thanks so much for this guys. This one is probably my favorite Pixar film because of Remy's struggle to balance his pursuing his art and his father's approval. This is a struggle I knew first hand and it was very painful to deal with. So this film for me was very healing and gave me a glimpse of what it could be like to live in a space where I didn't have to choose...I could be an artist an leave my mark on the world and my family could still find pride in that even if they didn't understand. And even if they didn't, that was okay because being my authentic self is the most important thing. And as a writer, I agree with you Alan, Anton's monologue may be one of the greatest ever written. Thanks again!
Great job everyone! And honestly special props to the editing team who did such an amazing job on this. 11/10
Thanks for the dop, guys! 😊❤️
Thanks for another great drop. Good to see you all. Have a nice rest of your day 😊
Alright wonderful friends, I’m off to get tickets to Fall Guy! You’re all magic! Watch Movies!
Loved it. Thank you so much. <3 Beautiful insights.
Thanks everyone!
Thank YOU!
I watch movies differently than i used to, also. :] I should definitely rewatch this one.
We are still trying to get the group movie streams set up, so if you haven’t watched it by the time those are going maybe it can be one of our early movies 😊
YAY! Patrons! I love you all.
Love you right back
WATCH MOVIES!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ratatouille's Creed
Just btw, this movie hits a lot harder now that I'm not, like, 10 lol
Being able to see so much more of the subtleties really wakes up a good movie! :3
I definitely appreciate the twist on seats at the table becoming the ability to share with those at a table.
We just watched that movie last night. So good
I think I missed the first 10 minutes of this, can't wait to watch the full episode and see the editors magic 🪄
As a Hispanic bisexual woman I truly appreciate that.
K I have to go to work got 4 events today you all have a good day!
You too! Make Art!
It made me giggle
The Seinfeld theme, I cant
Was that the Seinfeld sound?!
Yes
I haven’t seen this movie in a while, is there a meaning behind his dad being represented as being so much larger than him?
I'd imagine so. Their heights are staged cleverly depending on the vibe. When they are at the table they're far closer in height. When Remi is feeling intimidated, Dad is huge, etc.
Parenting myself also means treating myself kindly, with the grace I’d give a child still learning. So yes, I am getting a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. (Just the dairy free kind)
Self-compassion is really important and it feels like it isn’t talked about as much as it should be.
“I’m parenting myself.” Oh that explains so much. Lol
Seriously though the edits on this episode are top tier.
Parenting myself sometimes sucks 🫠
Interesting BingBong before BingBong moment.
Remeber who you are Simba
XD
Chef kinda looks like he's on an early season of Drag Race
That glow
“I am only as free as you imagine me to be…” Hmm. That hits different now. O_o
Uhhhhh Alan? As someone whose 93 year old father is totally dependent on his daughters, including the middle one who was neglected and bullied by him… don’t become dependent on your kids. My dad may not live much longer but I’m just looking forward to not having to be his nurse. (Two of us didn’t even have CHILDREN but we have a giant wrinkly baby to deal with every day.) I would love to feel sadder that my dad is old and helpless, but I’m too exhausted to care. And as the family “disappointment” who is a creative and didn’t major in marketing, it’s hard to even try.
I was VERY MUCH joking. I kinda wish it was socially/morally acceptable to go all Viking, and when you’re old and become a burden, just take a wooden sailboat and head off into the ocean. That’s what I’d REALLY like to do. But who knows. Maybe by the time I’m that old I’ll just download my consciousness into my phone and become a weird AI that haunts a starship?
That scene always make me so sad 😭
The brother is giving me big Gus from snow white vibes
I think Gus is from Cinderella?
I never noticed you can see the grapes in his tummy!
Just wait, Jono goes on a whole riff about it!
Them hiding on the tiles is so smart
I play so much Disney Dreamlight Valley that it feels kind of weird to see Remy within the context of his movie and not in the game.
I need to play that game
So Remi and Linguini are Drift Compatible?!
Pacific Rat-... Rim
Oh man, the amount that I want to see Gypsy Danger derp-dodging a Class 5 Kaiju with Linguini moves is… a LOT now.
That felt like a old conversation I had with a old Boss of mine
The squeamish reaction I get to rodents is why I never watched Ratatouille 💀
I mean, fair. But if you can muscle past it (or embrace the cartoonishness) it’s a GREAT story.
I LOVE that they used rats, because of the human connotation of the feral ones. Rat owners know that rats are, when given the chance and a safe environment, incredibly clean, intelligent, and lovely creatures.
Omg Tommorowland. I forgot about that 😂
Everyone did
Disney and their inability to know where that line is… They know they don’t have to traumatize children right? 😂
WRONG!!! 😂
We all need therapy, Alan. That's why we are here. 😂 My therapist is constantly reminding me that she also has a therapist when I get too hard on myself.
The rain and color and camera angles here. So good
So proud of you Alan 🤣
🤣🤣
Yeah, I'd say neither is more right or more wrong. They just need to come to an understanding, and be ready to listen to each other
Oof, I feel Remi so hard with his interactions with his Dad. Another reason this movie is so great. It shows both sides empathetically but shows the boldness of embracing change WHILE understanding the past.
Has anyone read Pattan Aswald's book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland?
It’s SO good.
To answer the question of can you fix something terrible and make it good, I would say depends on the things. Like if it started out as processed food, there's basically nothing you can do to save it from the smell and taste of preservatives. Something home made like Linguine made, definitely. You just gotta know what things will cancel out the bad and fix it. Totally do-able.
Me putting away the ingredients I add to boxed Mac and cheese to make it “fancy”… 😂
I remember when my dad passed away in December of could have grieved sitting but instead I went straight into my kitchen and I started baking
Super therapeutic.
Jono’ s sharing some really profound wisdom in there. Even psychotic rat movies can highlight the importance of knowing personal boundaries and avoiding burn out.
Yes, exactly. Burnout is a monster I wish was talked about more to younger folks. I had to learn the hard way.
Love the talk on stepping back, not burning yourself out. The best advice I got was never give 100% of yourself to a project. Hurts as a creative who wants things to be perfect, but realistically…? It tracks. You can’t give everything. You have to call it quits before it damages you. Been there, done that. :(
I hate my art until it's finished 99% of the time 🤣
Doing better than me. I still most things I’ve ever made! 🤦🏼♂️
Yasss Black Swan!! I always want to recommend that for an episode!
That “hubby sneaking in at 2am” feeling of clinging to them so they can’t get up for “just one more thing hun I swear”
Innit that the way with creative projects of any sort? Sometimes the pay off comes much, MUCH later.
For me it was 15 years later (financially)… Dunno when it’ll fully happen emotionally… I need therapy.
I am a Raymond Holt when it comes to food, so all of this is lost on me but I love seeing how happy food makes people. It seems to bring so much joy for people who love to make it and for those who like to eat it.
Lol
Lolololol that was great
That was epic
How I feel every time I watch an edit from our INCREDIBLE team
That’s what I feel like when people see me cooking I’m just in my zone and can I say cooking is also a good therapy for someone
Our editor’s B-Roll while we’re talking about all of this stuff is PERFECT!!! I love our editors.
Your editors are mwah 🤌 Chef's kiss
I've never watched Ratatouille 😅
Do it 😆
That slow blink. XD
Right?! XD
Well, maybe not the cooking bit... 😅
The animation of Remi is so spot on for rats. I love it!
I always loved how committed Disney / Pixar are to capturing the movements of their characters realistically.
“I can fix it! I know what to do!” … But then getting the courage to actually *do* it…
Man, I just love the animation. It's from 2007, but it still looks so good
I will say when I was getting into cooking I always felt like Julia Childs was guiding me when I was teaching myself more on recipes and testing myself
I definitely identify with this movie a lot for many different reasons. Remi having ultra senses is very similar to my experience as an autistic. I am the "poison checker" in my family because my sense of smell is highly developed. I can tell how long food has before it turns by smell alone. I'm also a fantastic cook but as a kid I could only follow recipes, now as an adult I feel more confident in just tossing things in here and there and creating a masterpiece. I like thinking of this as an allegory for whatever you do that makes you passionate and art. Hadn't necessarily thought about it that way before. I like it. 😊
Food IS art. Maybe the most important art, cause it’s literally part of us! I make movies that most people never see, and the ones that do mostly forget. But FOOD!?
I think Patreon has been, uh… strugglin’ lately. Lol
It seems like it!
That sounds like heaven 😅
Patreon is dropping the ball, push notification for this live drop sent to my phone as I'm watching
Same
Is Remy psychotic? Yes 😂 Omg Alan’s summary is my favorite synopsis I have heard lately.
SAD THEORY
I missed the beginning 😭
The edits are gold! lolol
Yeah, Remy's dad focuses so much on practicality and survival (rightfully so) he (unintentionally) neglects part of his son's needs. But Remy also needs to understand where his dad is coming from
Maybe my favorite edit we've ever had.
Guys, fun fact: Jono is a figment of my imagination. We’re all having a collective delusion.
That's me on a diet 🤣
"Mess up your kids so I can feed mine." I'm super classy 😎
Gotta do what you gotta do
Jono your arms are guns, great result for working out so much 💪😎👍
Well thank you 🙏
Rats are intelligent and very sweet pets. xD but alas I can also understand the ew factor.
I love them and mice, so I feel so conflicted 😂
ADHD always wins
Welp. I just thought of the next cutaway for when my OS hangs when you ask me a question.
Lol
Don’t get me wrong I love the meaning behind this film and I love seeing food being animated so beautifully but…do we have to have a rat touch food lol
But he’s a CUTE rat!
Hello everyone! 😀
So guys are you going to the ATLA concert???
What is this?!
Does rat poison smell like almonds?
I think it’s actually odorless, which always bugged me.
@Alan uh o lol
Ive been in like a low low rn and this made me scream with joy!
That's a big statement Alan 😲
Listen, the top 10 Pixars are all like, neck-and-neck.
I see you @Rena!!!
Yay! Both creators in a single drop!
I mean, we’re usually both here… But Jono’s on a (well-earned) vacation the last week or so.
Jono here!
HIIIII
I finally made it to a live drop!!!
For once I'm not working during a drop! 😍😍
Hell yeah! Live drop
I made it yay, hello everyone 🤗
HECK YEAH, FIRST TIME I CAUGHT A DROP
Welcome Opal!
Ratatou-wheeeee! 🥰
Woohoo
Much excite
My first live drop OUUUU
Welcome!!!
I am a catering chef and seeing a rat touching food and guest eating it…I just can’t 🤢
Thank you!
O no….i have to be honest…i do not like this movie
It’s okay to be wrong. 😜 I’m wrong about all kinds of stuff!
I remember seeing this in theaters when I was younger and having middling feelings about it. I’m curious to see what I think now… I should definitely rewatch it. Anywho! Waiting eagerly for The Drop!
It’s my #2 or #3 Pixar film! I absolutely ADORE this movie.
Just realized that I'm gonna be up a mountain with no service this whole day. I look forward to coming back to civilization knowing this will be waiting!
I'm a little bummed I'm going to miss the live drop but looking forward to watching it after
Ooooooh! Is this the episode you got to record at Pixar!?
Nope. Just you wait!
J'adore Ratatouille! C'est si bon! 🥰🐀👨🍳
I’ve waited so long for this one!!! 😍
One of the best films; “Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great!”