Reading material

2025.06.16

Coffee and Movies: Coffee Scenes in Movies

コーヒーと映画:映画に登場するコーヒーシーン

A quiet morning cup, a late-night chat, a conversation between people passing by... Coffee is often depicted in movies as something that carries more meaning than words. It appears casually in the story, yet exudes a strong presence as a prop that richly elucidates the emotions and backgrounds of the characters.

This time, we'll look back at some memorable coffee scenes that appear in movies, delving deeper into the directorial intentions behind them and why they stay in the minds of viewers.

The relationship between movies and coffee

Coffee in movies is more than just a drink: it is a mirror that reflects the emotions of the characters, and is part of the production process that expresses the reality and intimacy of life.

Whether it's spending time with someone or being lost in thought alone, coffee can be an effective accent when capturing such everyday scenes. By intentionally including coffee in a film, directors and screenwriters can create a production that naturally conveys the warmth and aroma of coffee to the viewer's mind.

Unforgettable coffee moments

There are countless memorable scenes in movies where coffee appears. It is not just a prop, but plays a role like a "narrator" that delicately expresses the emotions and relationships of the characters and the passage of time. Here, we will look at some particularly memorable coffee scenes from movies and consider why they remain in the viewers' memories.

"Before Sunrise"

In this scene, two young people wandering the streets of Vienna sit across from each other in a café before dawn and talk over coffee. In this scene, the man and woman, who have just met, discuss their views on life and their values, and coffee acts as a medium that naturally brings them closer together. The music is subdued, and the conversation that takes place in the quiet cafe expresses subtle emotions such as premonitions and anxieties about the future and the beginnings of love. The depiction of steam rising from the coffee also seems to symbolize the heat of the heart.

Inside Llewyn Davis

The film's protagonist, Llewyn, is a folk singer drifting through the cold streets of New York. Living a life close to being on the streets, he is torn between his dreams and reality. In one scene, he enters an old diner and silently orders a coffee at the counter. The way he warms the cup by cradling it in both hands symbolizes his loneliness and the fatigue and resignation he secretly harbors. There are few lines in this scene, but the harshness of his life is evident in just one cup.

American Sniper

The scene depicts the protagonist, who has returned home from a fierce battlefield, casually drinking morning coffee with his wife in the quiet kitchen of their home. This brief moment strongly highlights the contrast between the extraordinary nature of war and the serenity of home. In contrast to the tension of the battlefield, the kitchen is filled with the smells of life and the warmth of everyday life, with a realism that makes it seem as if even the aroma of coffee can be felt from the screen. As he lifts the cup, his hand is filled with indescribable feelings, which touches the viewer's heart.

What is the role of coffee in movies?

The role that coffee plays in movies is not just a part of the background, but is imbued with meaning and messages given to it by the script and direction.

  • Items that relieve tension
  • A symbol of intimacy and trust
  • Production that highlights loneliness and emptiness
  • A tool to indicate scene changes and the passage of time

In this way, coffee is integrated into the story and has the power to speak to the humanity and emotional changes of the characters.

A lingering "memory of scent" for viewers

The smell of coffee is deeply connected to memories, and when we recall a scene from a movie, we may also recall the air and temperature of that scene.

  • A scene where they talk in an old cafe
  • Brewing coffee alone in the light streaming into the kitchen at dawn
  • A cup offered as a chance to make amends

These scenes are more likely to remain in our memories by appealing not only to our sense of sight but also to our sense of smell and emotions . The coffee that appears in the movie has the power to evoke the temperature and even the smell of the scene.

What's your most memorable drink?

Just like in movies, there are surely memorable coffee moments in our daily lives, whether it's a morning spent with someone or an evening spent alone.

If there is a coffee scene in your favorite movie, it may not just be a "cup in the story" for you, but a "cup that overlaps with your own story."

What kind of beans you use, and how you feel when brewing it - all of these things will remain in your memory like a movie that colors a scene from your daily life.

summary

Coffee in movies is more than just a drink: it connects people, moves the story forward, and above all, it is a quiet presence close to the hearts of the characters .

The space and silence created by a cup of coffee adds depth to the film and stirs the viewer's emotions in a rich way. The next time you watch a movie, be sure to pay attention to scenes featuring coffee. You'll surely be moved more than ever by the intentions and emotions behind those scenes.

And after the movie, have a cup of coffee that tells your own story. Just like a scene from a movie, the coffee you drink from your favorite mug may become an irreplaceable memory.

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