Spider-Man (2002)
Written by David Koepp, Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Directed by Sam Raimi
Starring (in this scene): Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man), Willem Dafoe (Green Goblin/Norman Osborn), James Franco (Harry Osborn), Kirsten Dunst (MJ), Rosemary Ann Harris (Aunt May)
Chef’s Note: For many people, uncomfortable and awkward moments are common events at holiday family gatherings, ranging from inappropriate questions about one’s love life to shouting matches about political issues.
Still, nothing like the holiday dinner that Peter has to endure here – from having to sit down smiling across from the secret love of his life who is now dating his best friend, to his newly minted nemesis discovering his secret identity due to his apparent inability to find a band-aid, and then ending with an ugly old-man misogynist rant bellowed loudly enough for all the neighbors on his hall to hear.
Ugh.
Chef’s Note: I appreciate how, even if you were to encounter this scene with no knowledge of what has gone before, the moral characters of those involved are clearly telegraphed by their roles in the food preparation for this holiday feast. You quickly know who is who.
Aunt May has obviously made the substantial portions of the feast- the turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing, pies, etc. Even though the kitchen is not her own, it is obvious she has the organizational skills of a professional chef and has made it her own nevertheless. She is a source of warm comfort and, simultaneously, of firm order.
Mary Jane has no reason to believe this meal will be anything but enjoyable and wears her heart on her sleeve. She is helpful and cheerful, enjoys the aromas of all the tasty things around her, and assists Aunt May with setting the table.
Harry helps not at all, his privileged upbringing coming through strongly – not to mention his fear of his father, as he flails about and barks nervously at MJ, the food the last thing on his mind.
Norman brings a store-bought fruitcake – an obvious dick move, and one fitting for a super villain.
And finally, Peter brings the cranberry sauce in a can, clearly showing that he is the true hero.
What Thanksgiving meal would be complete without that glorious, glistening, ribbed tube of ruby tart jelly magic?
Consider that 100 years ago, cranberries were only available fresh for a mere two months out of the year (they are usually harvested mid-September until around mid-November in North America making them the perfect Thanksgiving side). In 1912, one savvy businessman devised a way to change the cranberry industry forever.
