20 Apr Our Top Peanut Butter Moments On The Big Screen

We love all things Peanut Butter.

But while it plays a somewhat ordinary role in our lives, (spread thickly on toast in the mornings, heaped on large spoonful at night) in The Movies, a simple PB sandwich can offer great insight into a complex character or even act as a prop for murder.

Check out these top Peanut Butter moments on the Big Screen plus our 2 cents on what makes each one great. *Warning – there are multiple spoilers below*

 

1. Walter White (Bryan Cranston) makes the perfect PB+J Sandwich // Breaking Bad: S3E6

What’s happening here? 

Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a middle-aged chemistry teacher come, drug lord, meticulously prepares his lunch; a Peanut Butter and jelly sandwich.

So why the Peanut Butter? 

Over 3 seasons, we’ve watched Walter transform from amicable school teacher into alter ego; Heisenberg, the power-hungry drug lord. Scenes like this offer a reminder of just how calculated and pedantic this character really is- an even spread of both Peanut Butter and jam with crusts cleanly cut off. Every task he carries out including something as mundane as making lunch is done with the utmost care.

We love it because: 

Even badass druglords have PB+J for lunch!

Watch this scene here >

Available on: Netflix

 

2. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) gets mad and throws a Peanut Butter sandwich at the window // War of the Worlds: 2005

What’s happening here? 

After fleeing to his ex-wife’s empty home when a powerful storm breaks, Ray Ferrier angrily discards the Peanut Butter sandwiches that his two children refuse to eat.

So why the Peanut Butter? 

Ray frantically prepares Peanut Butter sandwiches (with a wooden spoon!) before angrily throwing one at the window. Though a little cheesy, it does do a good job of showing how little equipped Ray is for both the chaos outside; *SPOILER ALERT* (there are extraterrestrial beings taking over the earth) and taking care of his kids. When his daughter mentions she’s been allergic to peanuts ‘since birth’ it helps to reinforce that he barely knows her.

We love it because: 

We’d also turn to Peanut Butter in times of great distress.

Watch this scene here >

Available on: Netflix

 

3. Margaret (Julianne Moore) adds a sh*tload of sodium hydroxide to a PB+J sandwich // Suburbicon: 2017

What’s happening here? 

Margaret (Julianne Moore) moves into her brother-in-law’s house after her sister is murdered to help keep the household in order. But when her dark secrets are exposed by her nephew, she decides to cut some loose ends. And what better way than with an unassuming Peanut Butter sandwich?

So why the Peanut Butter? 

Set in 1959, Suburbicon symbolises the American dream – perfectly mowed lawns, picket white fences and of course, Peanut Butter sandwiches. Popularised in 1920’s for being an affordable and nutritious pantry staple for hard times, by the mid 1950’s Peanut Butter was well known as an ‘all-American’ Food. A classic meal for an ‘ordinary’ family, it works as a great prop to showcase this period.

We love it because: 

If we had to be murdered this is how we’d like to go.

Watch the trailer here >

Available on: iTunes

 

4. George Costanza (Jason Alexander) eats Peanut Butter straight from the jar // Seinfeld S04E05 – The Wallet

What’s happening here? 

Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has just returned from Europe and is welcomed by her friends Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and George Costanza (Jason Alexander). She immediately walks in and helps herself to food in Jerry’s pantry, while George gets comfortable on the couch with Jerry’s jar of Peanut Butter, apologetically digging into with his fingers.

So why the Peanut Butter? 

Die-hard Seinfeld fans know this is a quintessential scene of the show; each character behaving as they please with little regard for others. George regularly showcases shocking, undesirable behaviour, yet as viewers, we can’t help but love him, finding many of his actions relatable. The tub of Peanut Butter is a great example of this while also highlighting Jerry’s bemusement and ongoing tolerance to his friends.“What are you eating my peanut butter out of the jar with your disgusting index fingers? This is a sickening display!” – Jerry

We love it because: 

We’ve been caught doing the same thing more than once. 😅

Watch this scene here >

Available on: TVNZ On Demand 

 

5. Joe Black (Brad Pitt) tastes Peanut Butter for the first time // Meet Joe Black

What’s happening here? 

Joe Black (Brad Pitt) happens upon a 5-star kitchen at the mansion where he is staying as a guest. Having never tried Peanut Butter before, he is initially apprehensive but then quickly delighted with the taste and texture of this new experience.

So why the Peanut Butter? 

Peanut Butter is a much-loved food that many of us have grown up eating. If your pantry looks like ours, then there’s always a jar on hand. *Spoiler Alert* When ‘Death’ arrives at William’s (Anthony Hopkins) door in the (good-looking) body of Joe Black, he is introduced to different aspects of human life. This includes the wonderful experience of eating Peanut Butter reminding us that though he looks human, he’s definitely not from around here. The scene is both amusing and endearing as we witness his surprise and delight.

We love it because: 

This could easily be actual footage of us tasting a fresh batch of Forty Thieves Peanut Butter.

Watch this scene here >

Available on: Netflix

 

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