I don’t know about you guys, but I’m kind of obsessed with Batman right now. I’ve always loved the character, but this past year has been an especially special one for me. Not only have I been able to see so many of my favorite actors perform as The Dark Knight, but I’ve also gotten the chance to see him in the flesh several times. It’s been an unforgettable year, and I can’t wait for more adventures with Batman in the future.
While the opportunity to meet and talk to the actors playing my favorite heroes and villains is one of the greatest pleasures of being a fan of movies, it’s also something that I’d like to keep to myself as a grown-up. That’s why I was so happy to receive a letter from Batman himself, Robert Pattinson, inviting me to lunch so we could discuss my favorite character. The actor, who plays Bruce Wayne in the new version of the Dark Knight, took the time to write me a letter because he knew I’d want to be there, and he wanted me to know that he’s happy to do it. It means a lot that he took the time to write me a personal letter, and it’s also one of the greatest surprises of my life that he’d think of me, a fan, as someone he’d want to have lunch with.
The Importance of Food In Films
Let’s be honest, we all know that cinema is an amazing platform for story-telling, and one of the best ways to present an event, person, or thing is through food. From the classic Westerns where the hero rode into town and set up camp with his family by the fire, to the more modern day westerns where the town is more dangerous than ever before thanks to new technologies, to the magical realism of The Hunger Games where Katniss is forced to rely on her wits and survival instincts rather than her weapons, and the list goes on. The list of fantastic movies that are essentially one long food scene is endless, and it’s one of cinema’s greatest strengths that food and film just naturally go together. You can’t have one without the other.
It wasn’t always like this though. Prior to the 70s, films had simple menus with a few select offerings, and they weren’t expected to serve as the backbone of a movie. Since the dawn of the 70s though, cinema has become more than just a place to consume a story; it’s an outlet for creativity, cultural awareness, and artistic expression. It’s changed the game, and it’s allowed movie food to be more than just a means to an end; it’s become an integral part of the movie-making process. From the classic spaghetti scene in Easy Rider to the countless scenes of Midsomer Murders where John Hurt teaches Sherlock Holmes to BBQ, to the multiple locations where the food fight scene in Home Alone was shot, to the first meal that Anton (Freddie Prinze Jr.) has in prison in the iconic film American Graffiti, the list of movies where food plays a key role is endless. Even the Lord of the Rings, which is usually cited as one of the most expensive films in the history of cinema, has a scene where Rivendell welcomes Frodo and Sam with a feast.
Why Are We So Obsessed With It?
So why are we so obsessed with Batman? It doesn’t seem like a simple matter of capes and cowls, although there’s certainly plenty of that too. It’s about all of the amazing things that the character and the film series have given us. Some of my favorite scenes from the Dark Knight are those where Harvey (Chris Evans) and Rachel (Rosanna Arquette) question each other about whether or not they like Batman. The scene where Harvey becomes Bane’s (Tom Hardy) henchman in The Dark Knight Rises is phenomenal, especially since it takes place entirely in a food truck. Harvey’s line, “I don’t care what they say. He’s the best there is,” has become one of my favorite quotes from the movie. To this day, I still think about it when I’m upset or experiencing a difficult time.
It’s been one of the most incredible cinematic journeys, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Batman and his world. Now that we’ve established the importance of food in films, I’m sure that Robert Pattinson will be thrilled to hear that I share his love of the meal. It’s amazing how many people he may have wanted to invite, but he had to limit it to four. We’re fortunate that he was able to have lunch with us, and I’m grateful that he took the time to write me a personal letter. It means a lot that he’d think of me and be happy to connect with me through writing. Thank you so much for everything, Robert Pattinson! I’m honored that you would think of me as someone you’d want to have lunch with, and I’m looking forward to our next collaboration.