Ratatouille - Characters & Cast

Remy is driven by an innate passion for food and a desire to create. He is not content with the life of a typical rat, stealing garbage to survive. He wants to make things, to contribute something beautiful to the world, and to be recognized for his unique talents.

Remy begins as an outcast within his own rat colony, dreaming of a world he is forbidden from. His journey is one of self-actualization. He learns to harness his unique talents and, through his partnership with Linguini, finds a way to express his creativity. He grapples with his identity as both a rat and a chef, eventually learning to bridge these two worlds and gain the acceptance of both his family and the human culinary world.

Initially, Linguini's motivation is simply to keep his job as a garbage boy. As he begins to experience success through his partnership with Remy, his motivation shifts to maintaining this newfound respect and building a career. He is also motivated by his growing affection for Colette and his desire to do the right thing.

Linguini starts as a clumsy, insecure, and jobless young man with no direction. Through his collaboration with Remy, he gains confidence and a sense of purpose. He learns to stand up for himself and to value friendship and loyalty. His arc is about discovering his own worth, even if his primary talent is being a vessel for Remy's genius. He also discovers his lineage as Gusteau's son, giving him a newfound sense of belonging.

Ego is motivated by a love for food, though it is initially expressed through a cynical and demanding perfectionism. He seeks out culinary excellence and is ruthless in his dismissal of anything he considers mediocre. His ultimate motivation is to experience something new and brilliant in the world of cuisine.

Anton Ego begins as a formidable and cynical food critic, whose harsh reviews can make or break a restaurant. His office is shaped like a coffin, and his typewriter resembles a skull, symbolizing the death he can bring to a culinary establishment. His transformation is one of the most significant in the film. After tasting Remy's ratatouille, he is humbled and reminded of the simple joy of food. He moves from being a detached, feared critic to a passionate supporter of new and unexpected talent, ultimately sacrificing his career and reputation to champion a great artist.

Colette is motivated by a deep respect for cooking and for Chef Gusteau's philosophy. She is fiercely dedicated to her craft and to maintaining the high standards of the restaurant. She is also motivated by a desire to prove herself and succeed in a challenging profession.

Colette is introduced as a tough, no-nonsense, and highly skilled chef, the only woman in Gusteau's kitchen. She has had to fight for her position in a male-dominated field. Initially, she is resentful of Linguini's seemingly effortless success. However, she grows to respect his (or rather, Remy's) talent and develops a romantic relationship with him. She learns to trust in the seemingly impossible and becomes a key ally to Remy and Linguini.

Skinner is motivated by greed and a lust for power. He wants to exploit Gusteau's legacy for profit by launching a line of frozen foods. He is also driven by a deep-seated insecurity and a desire for control, which is threatened by Linguini's unexpected success.

Skinner is the diminutive and tyrannical head chef of Gusteau's. His arc is one of decline. After Gusteau's death, he seeks to commercialize the restaurant's name for his own financial gain, betraying Gusteau's culinary spirit. His paranoia and greed lead him to uncover Remy and Linguini's secret, but his attempts to expose them ultimately lead to his own downfall.