Original artwork, not a still
Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.
— Ratatouille · 2007
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The sneering critic gets the film's last word on its own theme. Ego does not drop his standards; he says greatness is rare but not reserved for the well-born, and a rat in a kitchen can have it. Fans quote it whenever real talent turns up somewhere nobody thought to look, and it is the line people reach for when they talk about gatekeeping in any craft.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for RatatouilleShow the scene
Near the end of Ratatouille (2007), the dreaded critic Anton Ego, nicknamed the Grim Eater, has eaten at Gusteau's and been won over by the dish Remy cooked. That night his new review is heard in voiceover. He admits he has scorned Chef Gusteau's motto "Anyone can cook," says he now understands what it meant, and delivers this line before calling the unnamed chef the finest in France. Peter O'Toole voices Ego. When the rat colony is exposed and the restaurant is shut, Ego loses his job over the review.
Sources (2)
- Ratatouille (2007) script, springfieldspringfieldreview voiceover near the endReference checked
- Anton Ego, Pixar WikiCharacter summary and infoboxReference checked
Context reviewed
