Batman (1989)
Written by Sam Hamm & Warren Skaaren
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring (in this scene): Micheal Keaton as Batman, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth
Chef’s Note: Here we find Batman enjoying a nice bowl of soup, as is his way.
That said, for all that he is known as being the World’s Greatest Detective, it is quite clear how utterly and completely he gets played here. It’s amazing he doesn’t see it.
They are dining at a traditional long table, a common feature in elite & wealthy dining rooms. Why were such tables so long? For guests, of course! We can see the extra chairs, lining both sides.
But obviously no one else is going to show up on this night so why did Bruce choose to have his soup date with Vicki here, at such a long remove, where even passing the salt becomes a solid bit of cardio?
And the answer is that Bruce did not choose this table, or this room. He’s quite clear about this, even to the point of admitting he may never have been there before. So, who could it have been?? Who would’ve been responsible for setting this whole meal up anyway?
He & Vicki retire to the kitchen, that most intimate of spaces. And who do they find there? Alfred of course!
Whereupon he then regales them with charming, and just the right amount of embarrassing, tales of young Master Bruce.
And so they go from stiffly sipping soup and shouting across the room to curled up next to one another, making puppy-eyes and revealing secrets.
Alfred, you sly matchmaker you!