Movie Snack Pairings – Mid-life Crisis

In the same way people pair wine to food, I pair food to movies. It’s a very special combination that delivers on so many levels, from entertainment to comfort. For this post, my theme is mid-life crisis. Not always technically mid-life, each of these movies still centre around a reevaluation of the protagonist’s life and ultimately a changed course. Everything featured here is available on Netflix.

American Beauty instantly became my favourite movie at the time. Kevin Spacey’s character lets go and frees himself in a way that is both funny and inspiring. A classic in my mind, I pair it with a twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie: soft warm oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a spoonful of vanilla ice with every bite.

While We’re Young is a newer movie with Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts. They befriend a younger cooler couple and lose themselves in the process. Because it’s about youth, I suggest a trip to the local bulk food store to bag up candies you loved as a kid: sour patch kids, fuzzy peaches, etc.

Tiny Furniture follows a recent graduate as she tries to figure out her place in the world – again, not mid-life but definitely a milestone of introspection and life-altering decisions. This was my introduction to the lovely Lena Dunham. This is the time to pull out all the little toppings for a frozen yogurt full of all your favourites: Skor bits, sprinkles, and so on.

Laggies has Keira Knightly run away from her life and boyfriend to hang out with a teenager, Chloe Grace Moretz. An odd name, it means someone who’s slow to get going. So I’ve chosen a snack that takes a while to get eaten: apple and peanut butter. Yes, healthy snacks are also welcome here. But even better if you can, try a candy apple.

Last on the list is actually a TV show you can binge watch on Netflix: Being Erica. It’s the best Canadian show in my opinion, where a 30 year-old going nowhere sees a therapist… who can send her into the past to learn and grow as a person. It sounds corny but I loved it! And what better to pair it with than the Canadian Nanaimo bar.