Here.
Chew it slowly. Only think about the taste.
- See? - Not really.
Creamy, salty sweet, an oaky nuttiness.
- You detect that? - Oh, I'm detecting nuttiness.
Close your eyes. Now taste this.
Whole different thing, right? Sweet, crisp, slight tang on the finish.
- Okay. - Now, try them together.
Okay.
I think I'm getting a little something there.
- It might be the nuttiness. - See?
- Could be the tang. - That's it.
Now, imagine every great taste in the world
being combined into infinite combinations.
Tastes that no one has tried yet! Discoveries to be made!
I think...
- You lost me again. - (GROANING) Yeah.
But that was interesting.
Most interesting garbage I ever... Hey! What are we doing?
Dad doesn't know you're alive yet!
We've got to go to the colony! Everyone will be thrilled!
- Yeah! But... - What?
Thing is, I kind of have to...
What do you "have to" more than family?
What's more important here?
Well, I...
It wouldn't hurt to visit.
- Have you had a pet rat? - No.
- Did you work in a lab with rats? - No.
Perhaps you lived in squalor at some point?
Nopety nopety no.
You know something about rats! You know you do!
You know who know do whacka-doo. Ratta-tatta.
- Hey! Why do they call it that? - What?
Ratatouille. It's like a stew, right? Why do they call it that?
If you're going to name a food,
you should give it a name that sounds delicious.
Ratatouille doesn't sound delicious. It sounds like "rat" and "patootie."
Rat patootie. Which does not sound delicious.
Regrettably we are all out of wine.
My son has returned!
(ALL CHEERING)
And finding someone to replace you for poison checker has been a disaster.
Nothing's been poisoned, thank God, but it hasn't been easy.
- You didn't make it easy. - I know. I am sorry, Dad.
Well, the important thing is that you're home.
(STUTTERING) Yeah, well, about that...
You look thin. Why is that?
A shortage of food, or a surplus of snobbery?
It's tough out there in the big world all alone, isn't it?
Sure, but it's not like I'm a kid anymore.
- Hey. Hey, boy. What's up? - I can take care of myself.
I've found a nice spot not far away, so I'll be able to visit often.
Nothing like a cold splash of reality to make you...
- Visit? - I will. I promise. Often.
- You're not staying? - No. It's not a big deal, Dad. I just...
You didn't think I was going to stay forever, did you?
Eventually, a bird's got to leave the nest.
We're not birds. We're rats.
We don't leave our nests. We make them bigger.
- Well, maybe I'm a different kind of rat. - Maybe you're not a rat at all.
Maybe that's a good thing.
Hey! The band's really on tonight, huh?
Rats. All we do is take, Dad.
I'm tired of taking. I want to make things.
I want to add something to this world.
- You're talking like a human. - Who are not as bad as you say.
- Oh, yeah? What makes you so sure? - Oh, man.
(HESITANTLY) I've been able to observe them
at a close-ish sort of range.
- Yeah? How close? - Close enough.
And they're, you know, not so bad as you say they are.
Come with me. I got something I want you to see.
You know, I'm going to stay here.
Make sure the floors and countertops are clean before you lock up.
Wait. You want me to stay and clean?
Is that a problem?
- No. - Good boy. See you tomorrow.
(SIGHING)
We're here.
(GASPING)
Take a good long look, Remy.
Now, this is what happens
when a rat gets a little too comfortable around humans.
The world we live in belongs to the enemy.
We must live carefully.
We look out for our own kind, Remy.
When all is said and done, we're all we've got.
- No. - What?
No. Dad, I don't believe it. You're telling me that the future is...
Can only be more of this?
This is the way things are. You can't change nature.
Change is nature, Dad. The part that we can influence.
And it starts when we decide.
- Where you going? - With luck, forward.
Hey! Yeah.
(SNORING)
(VEHICLE ARRIVING)
(MOANING)
(LINGUINI MOANS)
(SLEEPILY) Stop it.
(RATTLING OUTSIDE)
(DEEP BREATH)
Good morning.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Good morning.
So, the chef, he invited you in for a drink?
That's big.
That's big. What did he say?
What?
What, you can't tell me?
Oh!
Forgive me for intruding on your deep, personal relationship with the chef.
Oh, I see how it is.
You get me to teach you a few kitchen tricks
to dazzle the boss and then you blow past me?
Wake up. Wake up.
I thought you were different.
I thought you thought I was different.
I thought...
(SNORING)
I didn't have to help you!
If I looked out only for myself, I would have let you drown!
But...
I wanted you to succeed. I liked you.
My mistake.
Colette. Wait, wait. Colette!
It's over, Little Chef. I can't do it anymore.
Colette! Wait, wait! Don't motorcycle away.
Look, I'm no good with words. I'm no good with food either.
At least not without your help.
I hate false modesty. It's just another way to lie.
- (SIGHS) You have talent. - No, but I don't! Really! It's not me.
When I added that extra ingredient
instead of following the recipe like you said,
(CHUCKLING) That wasn't me either.
- What do you mean? - I mean, I wouldn't have done that.
I would've followed the recipe.
I would've followed your advice.
I would've followed your advice to the ends of the earth.
- Because I love your advice. - But...
But I...
Don't do it.
I have a secret. It's sort of disturbing.
(TITTERING)
- I have a... - (STUTTERING) What? You...
- I have a ra... - You have a rash?
No, no, no. I have this... This tiny little...
Little...
(SPEAKING QUICKLY) A tiny chef who tells me what to do.
(IN DISBELIEF) A tiny chef?
Yes. Yes. He's...
- He's up here. - In your brain?
(GRUNTING)
Why is it so hard to talk to you? Okay. Here we go.
You inspire me. I'm going to risk it all.
I'm going to risk looking like the biggest idiot psycho you've ever seen.
You want to know why I'm such a fast learner?
You want to know why I'm such a great cook?
Don't laugh! I'm going to show you!
No! No!
(GRUNTING)
(TYPEWRITER CLICKING)
- What is it, Ambrister? - Gusteau's.
- Finally closing, is it? - No.
- More financial trouble? - No, it's...
Announced a new line of microwave egg rolls?
What? What? Spit it out.
(STUTTERING) It's come back. It's popular.
- I haven't reviewed Gusteau's in years. - No, sir.
My last review condemned it
- to the tourist trade. - Yes, sir.
I said, "Gusteau has finally found his rightful place in history
"right alongside another equally famous chef,
(IN DISGUST) "Monsieur Boyardee."
Touché.
That is where I left it. That was my last word.
- The last word. - Yes.
Then tell me, Ambrister,
how could it be popular?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
The DNA matches, the timing works, everything checks out.
He is Gusteau's son.
This can't just happen! The whole thing is a setup!
The boy knows!
Look at him out there, pretending to be an idiot.
He's toying with my mind like a cat with a ball of... Something.
- String? - Yes! Playing dumb.
- Taunting me with that rat. - Rat?
Yes. He's consorting with it.
Deliberately trying to make me think it's important.
- The rat. - Exactly!
Is the rat important?
Of course not! He just wants me to think that it is.
Oh, I see the theatricality of it.
A rat appears on the boy's first night, I order him to kill it.
And now he wants me to see it everywhere.
(EX CITEDLY) Ooh!
It's here! No, it isn't, it's here!
Am I seeing things, am I crazy? Is there a phantom rat or is there not?
But, oh, no!
I refuse to be sucked into his little game of...
Should I be concerned about this? About you?
(SIGHING)
Huh?
I can't fire him. He's getting attention.
If I fire him now, everyone will wonder why.
And the last thing I want is people looking into this.
What are you so worried about?
Isn't it good to have the press?
Isn't it good to have Gusteau's name getting headlines?
Not if they're over his face!
Gusteau's already has a face, and it's fat and lovable and familiar.
And it sells burritos! Millions and millions of burritos!
The deadline passes in three days.
Then you can fire him whenever he ceases to be valuable
and no one will ever know.
I was worried about the hair sample you gave me.
- I had to send them back to the lab. - Why?
Because the first time it came back identified as rodent hair.
- No, no, no. - LINGUINl: What?
Try this. It's better.
(GRUNTING)
(SIGHING)
Well, because you...
Whoa!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(LINGUINI LAUGHING)
(GASPING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Rat!
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
WOMAN: Disgusting little creatures.
REMY: I was reminded how fragile it all was.
How the world really saw me.
And it just kept getting better.
EMILE: Remy!
Psst! Psst!
Hey, hey, hey, little brother!
We were afraid you weren't going to, you know, show up.
- Hey, Remy! How you doing? - You told them?
Emile, that's exactly what I said not to do!
But you know these guys. They're my friends.
I didn't think you meant them.
(GROANING) Look, I'm sorry.
Don't tell me you're sorry, tell them you're sorry.
- Is there a problem over here? - No, there is not.
Wait here.
It's locked?
Hmm...
Remy, what are you doing in here?
Okay. Emile shows up with...
Okay, I said not to. I told him... He goes and blabs to...
Yeah, it's a disaster.
Anyway, they're hungry, the food safe is locked and I need the key.
- They want you to steal food? - Yes. No! It's...
It's complicated. It's family. They don't have your ideals.
(IN SOUTHERN ACCENT) Ideals? If Chef Fancy Pants had any ideals,
you think I'd be hawking barbecue over here?
(IN MEXICAN ACCENT) Or microwave burritos?
Or, Tooth, I say, Tooth Pick'n Chicken?
About as French as a corn dog!
(BARKING) Coming soon!
We're inventing new ways to sell out over here.
(IN SCOTTISH ACCENT) Will ye be wanting some haggis bites?
I cannot control how they use my image, Remy.
- I am dead! - Can you guys shut up?
I've got to think! Word's getting out. If I can't keep them quiet,
the entire clan's gonna be after me with their mouths open and...
Here it is.
Hey. Your will!
- Oh, this is interesting. Mind if I... - Not at all.
Linguini?
Why would Linguini be filed with your will?
This used to be my office.
He's your son?
- I have a son? - How could you not know this?
I am a figment of your imagination. You did not know, how could I?
Well, your son is the rightful owner of this restaurant!
(GASPING)
No! No! The rat!
(GROANING)
(SCREAMING)
- Sorry, chef. - The rat! It's stolen my documents!
- It's getting away! - LALO: Hey, Mr. Chef!
(HORN BLARING)
(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMING)
(GROANS)
(LAUGHING)
(GASPS) You!
- Get out of my office. - He's not in your office. You are in his.
Bottoms up, Linguini!
(LE FES TIN PLAYING)
HORST: Cheers, ja.
(ALL CHUCKLING)
(GRUMBLING)
(HORST EX CLAIMING ANGRILY)
REPORTER 1: Chef! Chef! REPORTER 2: Chef Linguini!
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
Your rise has been meteoric, yet you have no formal training.
What is the secret to your genius?
LINGUINl: Secret? You want the truth?
(HESITANTLY) I am Gusteau's son. It's in my blood I guess.
FEMALE REPORTER: But you weren't aware of that fact until very recently.
No.
MALE REPORTER: And it resulted in your taking ownership of this restaurant.
How did you find out?
Well, some part of me just knew.
The Gusteau part?
- Where do you get your inspiration? - Inspiration has many names.
- Mine is named Colette. - What?
(REMY SQUEAKING)
Something's stuck in my teeth.
(RINGING)
Health Inspector.
I wish to report a rat infestation.
It's taken over my...
(STAMMERING) Gusteau's restaurant.
Gusteau's, eh?
I can drop by. Let's see. First opening is three months.
It must happen now! It's a gourmet restaurant!
Monsieur, I have the information. If someone cancels, I'll slot you in.
(STAMMERING) But the rat! You must...
(DIAL TONE DRONING)
It stole my documents.
It's past opening time.
(GROANING) He should have finished an hour ago.
(LAUGHING)
Bonjour, ma chérie. Join us.
We were just talking about my inspiration.
Yes, he calls it his tiny chef.
(SQUEAKING)
Not that, dearest. I meant you.
(DOOR OPENING)
(REPORTERS GASPING)
- It's him. - Ego?
Anton Ego!
REPORTER: Is that Ego?
I can't believe it.
- You are Monsieur Linguini? - Hello.
Pardon me for interrupting your premature celebration,
but I thought it only fair to give you a sporting chance
as you are new to this game.
- Game? - Yes.
And you've been playing without an opponent.
Which is, as you may have guessed, against the rules.
You're Anton Ego.
(CHUCKLING)
You're slow for someone in the fast lane.
(PEOPLE GASPING)
And you're thin for someone who likes food.
(ALL GASPING IN SHOCK)
I don't like food. I love it.
If I don't love it, I don't swallow.
(GULPING)
I will return tomorrow night with high expectations.
Pray you don't disappoint me.
(REPORTERS MURMURING)
Listen, we hate to be rude, but we're French, and it's dinnertime.
She meant to say, "It's dinnertime and we're French."
Don't give me that look.
You were distracting me in front of the press.
How am I supposed to concentrate with you yanking on my hair all the time?
And that's another thing.
Your opinion isn't the only one that matters here.
Colette knows how to cook, too, you know.
All right, that's it!
You take a break, Little Chef.
I'm not your puppet,
and you're not my puppet-controlling guy!
(GASPS) The rat is the cook.
You cool off and get your mind right, Little Chef.
Ego is coming, and I need to focus!
(GRUNTING)
You stupid...
(GRUMBLING ANGRILY)
Wow. I have never seen that before.
Yeah, it's like you're his fluffy bunny or something.
(RATS LAUGHING)
EMILE: I'm sorry, Remy.
I know there are too many guys.
- I tried to limit... - You know what?
It's okay. I've been selfish.
- You guys hungry? - Are you kidding?
All right. Dinner's on me. We'll go after closing time.
- In fact... - Yeah.
...tell Dad to bring the whole clan.
Little Chef?
This is great, Son. An inside job. I see the appeal.
(SHUSHING)
(CLICKS TONGUE)
Oof!
(BECKONS)
(KE YS JINGLING)
(ALL GASP)
Little Chef?
Hey, Little Chef.
I thought you went back to the apartment.
Then when you weren't there, I don't know...
It didn't seem right to leave things the way that we did, so...
Look, I don't want to fight.
I've been under a lot of, you know, pressure.
A lot has changed in not very much time, you know?
I'm suddenly a Gusteau.
And I got to be a Gusteau or, you know,
people will be disappointed.
It's weird.
You know, I've never disappointed anyone before,
because nobody's ever expected anything of me.
And the only reason anyone expects anything from me now
is because of you.
I haven't been fair to you.
You've never failed me, and I should never forget that.
You've been a good friend.
The most honorable friend a guy could ever ask...
(GROANS)
What is this?
What's going on?
What...
Hey...
(STUTTERING) You're...
You're stealing food? How could you?
I thought you were my friend! I trusted you!
Get out! You and all your rat buddies!
And don't come back
or I'll treat you the way restaurants are supposed to treat pests!
You're right, Dad. Who am I kidding?
We are what we are, and we're rats.
Well, he'll leave soon, and now you know how to get in.
Steal all you want.
- You're not coming? - I've lost my appetite.
Do you know what you would like this evening, sir?
Yes, I'd like your heart roasted on a spit.
(ANTON SNICKERING)
(AN TON SNICKERIN G)
(EX CLAIMS)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Come in!
Today's the big day. You should say something to them.
- Like what? - You are the boss. Inspire them.
(MEEKLY) Attention.
(MORE CONFIDENTLY) Attention, everyone.
Tonight is a big night.
Appetite is coming, and he's going to have a big ego.
I mean, Ego. He's coming. The critic.
And he's going to order something.
Something from our menu.
And we'll have to cook it, unless he orders something cold.
EMILE: Just can't leave it alone, can you?
You really shouldn't be here during restaurant hours. It's not safe.
I'm hungry!
And I don't need the inside food to be happy.
The key, my friend, is to not be picky.
- Observe. - No, wait!
- Oh, no! No, no! What do we do? - (STUTTERING) I'll go get Dad.
(SNICKERING)
You might think you are a chef but you are still only a rat.
Sure he took away a star last time he reviewed this place.
Sure it probably killed... Dad.
- This is very bad juju right here. - But I'll tell you one thing...
- Ego is here. - Ego? He is here?
Anton Ego is just another customer. Let's cook!
Yeah! Let's...
Okay.
So I have in mind a simple arrangement.
You will create for me a new line of Chef Skinner frozen foods.
And I, in return, will not kill you.
(SNICKERING)
Au revoir, rat!
(SIGHS)
Do you know what you would like this evening, sir?
Yes, I think I do.
After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook,
you know what I'm craving?
A little perspective.
That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective.
Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?
- With what, sir? - Perspective. Fresh out, I take it?
I am...
Very well. Since you're all out of perspective
and no one else seems to have it in this bloody town,
I'll make you a deal.
You provide the food, I'll provide the perspective.
Which would go nicely with a bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947.
I'm afraid I...
Your dinner selection?
Tell your Chef Linguini that I want whatever he dares to serve me.
Tell him to hit me with his best shot.
I will have whatever he is having.
- So, we have given up. - Why do you say that?
We are in a cage inside the car trunk
awaiting a future in frozen food products.
No, I'm the one in a cage. I've given up.
You are free.
I am only as free as you imagine me to be.
As you are.
Oh, please. I'm sick of pretending. I pretend to be a rat for my father.
I pretend to be a human through Linguini.
I pretend you exist so I have someone to talk to!
You only tell me stuff I already know!
I know who I am! Why do I need you to tell me?
Why do I need to pretend?
(CHUCKLING)
But you don't, Remy.
You never did.
(CRASHING)
No. My other left!
REMY: (MUFFLED) Dad? Dad, I'm in here!
I'm inside the trunk! What the...
Dad!
- Hey, little brother! - Emile!
I love you guys!
Where are you going?
Back to the restaurant. They'll fail without me.
- Why do you care? - Because I'm a cook!
(STAFF CLAMORING)
It's your recipe.
How can you not know your own recipe?
I didn't write it down. It just came to me.
Then make it come to you again, ja? Because we can't serve this!
Where's my order?
Can't we serve something else? Something I didn't invent?
This is what they're ordering.
Make them order something else. Tell them we're all out.
We cannot be all out. We just opened.
I have another idea. What if we serve them what they order!
We will make it. Just tell us what you did.
I don't know what I did.
We need to tell the customers something.
Then tell them... Tell them...
(SCREAMING)
Huh?
- Don't do it. - Remy. Remy.
EMILE: Don't! Stop! They'll see you. Stop.
We're not talking about me. We're talking about what to do right...
Rats!
- Remy! - Get my knife.
Don't touch him!
(WHISPERING) Thanks for coming back, Little Chef.
I know this sounds insane, but...
Well, the truth sounds insane sometimes.
But that doesn't mean it's not
(STAMMERING) the truth.
And the truth is, I have no talent at all.
But this rat, he's the one behind these recipes.
He's the cook. The real cook. He's been hiding under my toque.
He's been controlling my actions.
(ALL GASPING)
He's the reason I can cook the food that's exciting everyone.
The reason Ego is outside that door.
You've been giving me credit for his gift.
I know it's a hard thing to believe.
But, hey, you believed I could cook, right?
(CHUCKLES)
Look, this works. It's crazy, but it works.
We can be the greatest restaurant in Paris,
and this rat, this brilliant Little Chef, can lead us there.
What do you say? You with me?
(SIGHS)
(MOTORC YCLE STARTING)
(GROANS)
(HORN BLARING)
(TIRES SKIDDING)
(HORNS HONKING)
(SIGHS)
Dad.
Dad, I don't know what to say.
I was wrong about your friend and about you.
I don't want you to think I'm choosing this over family.
I can't choose between two halves of myself.
I'm not talking about cooking. I'm talking about guts.
This really means that much to you?
(WHISTLES)
(ALL CHATTERING)
We're not cooks, but we are family.
You tell us what to do, and we'll get it done.
- Stop that health inspector! - Delta Team, go, go, go, go!
The rest of you stay and help Remy.
(ELECTRIC ENGINE WHIRRING)
(ENGINE STARTS)
Team three will be handling fish. Team four, roasted items.
Team five, grill. Team six, sauces. Get to your stations. Let's go, go, go!
Those handling food will walk on two legs.
We need someone to wait tables.
I'm sorry for any delay, but we're a little short tonight.
Please, take all of the time you need.
He came in late one more time and all of a sudden he...
REMY: Make sure that steak is nice and tenderized.
Work it. Yeah. Stick and move. Stick and move.
Easy with that sole meunière. Less salt. More butter.
Only use the mimolette cheese.
Whoa! Compose the salad like you were painting a picture.
Not too much vinaigrette on that salade composée.
Don't let that beurre blanc separate. Keep whisking.
Gently poach the scallops. Taste check. Spoons down.
Good. Too much salt. Good.
Don't boil the consommé, it'll toughen the pheasant. Emile!
Sorry.
Colette, wait! Colette.
- You came back. Colette... - Don't say a word.
If I think about it, I might change my mind.
Just tell me what the rat wants to cook.
Ratatouille? It's a peasant dish.
Are you sure you want to serve this to Ego?
(DISHWARE SHATTERING)
(MUFFLED EX CLAIMING)
What? I am making ratatouille.
(SCOFFS)
Well, how would you prepare it?
Ratatouille? They must be joking.
(WHIMPERS)
(SNIFFLING)
(THUDDIN G)
Mmm.
No, it can't be.
Who cooked the ratatouille? I demand to know!
(GASPING)
(CLATTERING)
(MUFFLED GROANING)
I can't remember the last time
I asked a waiter to give my compliments to the chef.
And now I find myself in the extraordinary position
of having my waiter be the chef.
Thanks, but I'm just your waiter tonight.
Then who do I thank for the meal?
Excuse me a minute.
(MUFFLED ARGUING)
You must be the chef...
If you wish to meet the chef, you will have to wait
until all the other customer have gone.
So be it.
REMY: At first, Ego thinks it's a joke.
But as Linguini explains, Ego's smile disappears.
(RATS SQUEAKING)
He doesn't react beyond asking an occasional question.
And when the story is done, Ego stands, thanks us for the meal...
Thank you for the meal.
... and leaves without another word.
The following day his review appears.
E GO: In many ways, the work of a critic is easy.
We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those
who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment.
We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read.
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.
But there are times when a critic truly risks something
and that is in the discovery and defense of the new.
The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations.
The new needs friends.
Last night, I experienced something new,
an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source.
To say that both the meal and its maker
have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking
is a gross understatement.
They have rocked me to my core.
In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain
for Chef Gusteau's famous motto, "Anyone can cook."
But I realize only now do I truly understand what he meant.
Not everyone can become a great artist,
but a great artist can come from anywhere.
It is difficult to imagine more humble origins
than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's,
who is, in this critic's opinion,
nothing less than the finest chef in France.
I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.
REMY: It was a great night.
(CHUCKLIN G) The happiest of my life.
But the only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability.
Well, we had to let Skinner and the health inspector loose,
and of course they ratted us out.
The food didn't matter.
Once it got out there were rats in the kitchen,
oh, man, the restaurant was closed
and Ego lost his job and his credibility.
But don't feel too bad for him.
He's doing very well as a small business investor.
- He seems very happy. - How do you know?
(LE FES TIN PLAYING)
Got to go. Dinner rush.
You know how he likes it.
Thanks, Little Chef.
Can I interest you in a dessert this evening?
- Don't you always? - Which one would you like?
Surprise me.
Can I interest you in a dessert this evening?
(RATS CHUCKLING)
Hey, believe me, that story gets better when I tell it, okay?
Come on. Bring some food over here, we're starving!