Summer Programs Intern Alex Vallejo-Lopez recommends Ratatouille, written and directed by Brad Bird.
I’m not usually a person to look back on things and consider myself old, but growing up in the Valley, I do remember a world before streaming. I remember when there was a Blockbuster in town. I remember Redbox. But a timeless place to get movies (and even better, for free) is the Library.
By the time this review comes out, I will have completed my time as an intern at this wonderful library and will be back in school finishing my final year of college. When I reflect on my time here, I think about the things I’ve learned and the amazing people who made this experience memorable.
Like Remy being mentored by Chef Gusteau in Ratatouille, I came into this experience with plenty to learn and people willing to help me along the way.
Ratatouille follows Remy, a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef. After becoming separated from his colony, Remy finds himself in Paris and forms an unlikely partnership with Linguini, an inexperienced kitchen worker. Together, they create remarkable dishes while keeping Remy’s involvement a secret. Eventually, their cooking catches the attention of the restaurant’s harsh critic, Anton Ego, finding themselves having to prove to Ego that Gusteau’s is relevant.
What I enjoy most about Ratatouille is its reminder that greatness can come from anyone and anywhere.
I found that to be a theme throughout my internship as well. I was lucky to have people around me who were willing to teach, encourage, and trust me with new opportunities. I also found myself enjoying the elegant twists and humor, references to French culture, and animation to be what made this movie a instant classic and masterpiece.
I hope you’ll check out Ratatouille. There is something special about finding a story you might not expect to love and there is something even more special about finding it waiting for you on a library shelf. And, perhaps ironically, after watching Anton Ego judge everyone else’s cooking, I now find myself writing my own review of Ratatouille.
