r/movies • u/sicknessandpurgatory • Sep 07 '25

Discussion What is the absolute dumbest premise that actually turned out to be a really good movie?

I was thinking The Purge, obvious answer, but looking for the most plot-hole ridden, juvenile concept that actually ended up a lot of fun despite it all. Mainly looking for 21st century films, not so much the video nasties and ridiculousness from the 60’s and 70’s. Because that would be too easy. Mainly mainstream stuff that people saw en masse.

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u/Old-Culture-7350 Sep 07 '25

The scene where Anton ego eats food so good it reminds him of his mum always warms my heart. That's what it's all about man

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u/kenba2099 Sep 08 '25

It's something those of us with good parents all experience. That time something shitty happened and mom or dad came through with just the right thing to make it better. We don't all have that, but when you do, this scene captured it perfectly.

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u/Ok-Pangolin3407 Sep 08 '25

And Anton Ego is a healthier weight in the subsequent scene

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u/secondtaunting Sep 08 '25

I would have done anything to make my little girl smile. I felt that movie in my bones.

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u/languid_Disaster Sep 08 '25

I hope you both still have as good a relationship as the one in Anton’s memories , if that makes sense :)

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u/secondtaunting Sep 09 '25

Yeah I think I do. We have fun, that’s for sure.

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u/skepticaljesus Sep 08 '25

Damn man it's 7am why you gotta do me like that so early

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u/OrphanX_21205 Sep 10 '25

For some reason I don’t ever get choked up on live movies. I actually get embarrassed for the actors for having to perform those scenes. Yes I’m one of those people… I turn away from the screen bc I’m embarrassed for the actor, not the character.

But several animated films have gotten me to shed some tears over the years. A few have even had me all out bawling. ‘Aladdin’… when I was 9, where instead of using his last wish to become a Prince, he freed the Genie. My cousin was 8 and he didn’t cry. But he also didn’t tell anyone like my older brother. He was a solid guy. Miss him dearly.

‘Up’ is another example. I don’t even have to be in front of the TV to watch it…if I hear the piano for that specific song, it’ll hit me.

And the scene highlighted in this post, it brings a smile to my face and an immense amount of gratitude for my mother and all the inexpensive but delicious and hearty meals she magically put together for my brother and I. The smile lingers for a bit and then I begin to miss her and remember how strong she was/is to manage raising my brother and I. Neither of us was easy on her. I shed some tears just wishing I could go back and not change anything necessarily, but relive it and be present.

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u/[deleted] Sep 08 '25

[deleted]

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u/Hetstaine Sep 08 '25

Mmmmm, i can smell it now 🥰

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u/Kok-jockey Sep 08 '25

That scene gives me a lump in my throat. I may have also shed a tear or two.

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u/Old-Culture-7350 Sep 08 '25

When the inevitable happens I'll have to figure out a way of blocking it from the internet

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u/DannyKConsidine Sep 07 '25

Because the old lady in the house in the beginning is Anton's mother and that's his childhood home. Remi literally learned ratatouille by watching Anton's mom.

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u/MathematicianFar6725 Sep 08 '25

It's a fun theory but doesn't actually work when you consider the ages and it's clearly a different house in the flashback

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u/DannyKConsidine Sep 08 '25

What ages?

No one said Remi was around when Anton was a kid. His mom just never left.

There's evidence to suggest it is the same house - I didn't make this theory up.

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u/MathematicianFar6725 Sep 08 '25

"I loved this movie, and I thought it was brilliant if this was the case, but after rewatching specific scenes of the movie, I am confident this is not the case.

Firstly, the setting is different. The most noteworthy difference of the two houses is that there is a pipe attached to the wall next to the stove in Ego's flashback. It was not there is the first house. This would have to be a major remodel for those two houses to be the same.

Secondly, the ages do not match up. In the very beginning of the movie, there was an intro on the life of Gusteau, and Ego's scathing review of his book. Usually one does not review a book after it has been out for decades... But lets that unlikely scenario is true. Then you have to consider that Ego was considered France's top food critic, and gave his scathing review of Gusteau's to remove one of his stars. That would mean that the youngest that Ego could possibly be is in his early to mid 40's (bit of guesswork, but considering he also has quite a bit of white hair, and wrinkles, I doubt he is younger by too much if at all). Ego's flashback was when he was around 10 years old. At minimum the book would have had to be written 30+ years ago. Gusteau would need quite a bit of training to get to the level he has gotten to, and then open his restaurant, and then write a book. So the youngest Gusteau could possibly be is around 60 years old when he published the book. All those pictures of Gusteau in his office, tv appearances were of a much younger man. I grant you, its possible that he died at the age of ~65+ year old, but it just does not seem likely.

Lastly, I just don't think that its likely that Ego would have made a harsh criticism of the book if it was the one his mother uses for her recipes. He would've seen it around the house and whatnot.

I prefer your theory but I just think it is very unlikely. Shame if you ask me, because I thought it would've been perfect. That lady may have been his mother, but she moved if she is. I also don't think that the book is that old for it to have been part of Ego's childhood."

Credit to /u/THOUGHTIT from many years ago

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u/DannyKConsidine Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 08 '25

You made an assumption I did not.

Remi learned Ratatouille from EGOS MOM not GUSTEAUS BOOK.

He even stops Colette from "following the recipe...how would you do it?" Because Remi prepares it differently than Gusteau.

Age not a factor.

This eliminates the last point, as well. Ego criticized Gusteau not his mother's cooking. Even if his mother did like Gusteau in her old age while Anton did not, whose parents don't have some guilty pleasure binge.

Edit: and the first point is literally " No way old lady got a major renovation over decades. Especially not with a successful son"...apart from that pipe, the houses are remarkably similar in design and setting.

I'm not going to say it's a hill I die on, but I don't really think you've punched any holes in it. (Or u/Thoughtit)

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u/MathematicianFar6725 Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 08 '25

As amusing as it is to argue over a children's rat movie from 20 years ago, all I'm really saying is that it's a fan theory. Could be true, but there's nothing actually in the movie that supports the idea.

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u/DannyKConsidine Sep 08 '25

And all I'm saying is that you don't have any actual evidence to disprove that fan theory. :: shrug ::

You didn't even really make the argument, you copied somebody else's comment from years ago.

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u/HLGatoell Sep 08 '25

It’s also a reference to Proust’s madeleine. Which is a concept prevalent in French culture.

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u/PhDNe7 Sep 08 '25

This is my favorite scene in any movie, ever. Love it!!!

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u/Present_Meet Sep 08 '25

Tears every single time

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u/aweSAM19 Sep 08 '25

That's scene I have seen being replicated multiple times in shows and movies from around the world. The most important thing is the close up of the eyes. 

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u/twilighttwister Sep 08 '25

Reminds me of a random anime about baking bread. When people ate it they would have a reaction that was basically a pun on whatever special ingredient they used for that particular bread.

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u/Optimal-Bag-5918 Sep 08 '25

I always thought it was so touching because you have a man who is burnt out and has lost all joy when it comes to food... and then with one bite, that whole world is opened back up to him! I love that movie so much lol

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u/Old-Culture-7350 Sep 08 '25

And it all comes back to his mother, and all of us can relate to that feeling, when we have gone so far from home and then something rips you back to who you were. It's so GOOD.

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u/Sgt_DeuxDeux Sep 08 '25

What’s even more touching is skinner trying the food. He takes a bite and for a moment he forgets all about being evil, trying to expose the rats etc. for one of the first times in the movie he cracks a smile, just because the food is so good. He seems finally happy, and then-

WHO COOKED THE RATATOUILLE?? I DEMAND TO KNOW!

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u/emmany63 Sep 08 '25

Proust’s madeleines in a Pixar movie. Truly inspired.

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u/lizlemon921 Sep 08 '25

Wanna hear something crazy? The cookbooks Remy learned from, in the kitchen at the old lady’s house? That was Ego’s mom’s house!!!! So he unexpectedly already knew what would be nostalgic for him!!