I just think it's lazy. Like, this is the only way you can think to tell me that the characters are metabolizing the energy of plant and animal matter and converting it into waste?
How a character eats and behaves at a meal can tell you a lot about their personality, their state of mind, their relationship with others. Not everything needs to "advance the plot".
There's SO many other things a writer could do to establish a character's personality than eating a meal, which, frankly, I didn't consent to watching them eat
It's easy enough to show the characters setting the table and then cut to a scene where the plates are empty and everyone's looking satisfied. Forcing the audience to sit through the actual chewing does not advance the plot AT ALL
Opinion: I don't care whether people eat in movies or not. If the movie is made well. there's a reason for the scene. If it's not, there's probably a dozen scenes that have no purpose.
That's fine but why does it have to be in every movie these days. Forks, spoons, plates, people chewing, swallowing. And they're always saying "Can you pass the bread."
Comments
Every now and then a meal scene is key to the show. The final meal at the end of Don’t Look Up. But in general, agreed!
Tom Jones: the feast
Great Outdoors: the Ol’ 96er
Raging Bull: overcooked steak
And possibly the most romantic meal scene…
Lady and the Tramp: Spaghetti scene
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Part character development, part exposition, part group dynamic exploration.