Famous film scenes involving tea drinking

If a film can be said generally to be about conflict, and the plot of the film to resolve said conflict, then it falls to tea to aid in the diplomatic process. Sitting down with a cup of tea helps to build bridges, to explore interactions between characters and, sometimes, to give them time to plot.

For example, in 'Marie Antoinette' (2006), there is a quiet scene where Marie and her patron enjoy some Chinese tea and marvel at the flower that blossoms as it is poured. Here, tea is a symbol of refinement, of two figures of some standing taking ease - although sadly they can't completely overcome their politics, as Marie at least is trying to impress, watching for a reaction.

In the closing stages of 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001), John Nash, having finally fought off his demons, goes to the nearby staff dining room for tea, something he hasn't done for a very long time; for him, being able to do something as normal as having a cup of tea represents the culmination of his unpleasant journey. Having found his peace, it is here that he finds his recognition, discovering he is to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Tea needn't be serious, though. In 'Mary Poppins' (1964), the airborne tea scene that results when Mary takes the children to visit Bert's Uncle Albert, a ridiculous old man who laughs so much he floats. 'I love to laugh' is the song of the scene, which ends with everyone, as well as the set-for-tea table itself, located somewhere in-between the floor and the ceiling. There's no reason for it other than Uncle Albert being a very happy man who enjoys tea. Perhaps the two are connected?

When it comes to tea parties, however, it takes a lot to top the efforts of the Mad Hatter in the many incarnations of Alice in Wonderland. In the 1951 Disney production, the party is an anarchic affair with dancing teapots and various inventive methods of pouring - such as via one's sleeve. Alice eventually departs the party, considering it 'the stupidest tea party I've ever been to in all my life'. Perhaps this is because she never manages to get hold of a cup; a tea party without tea is a sad thing indeed.

Tim Burton's 2010 'Alice in Wonderland' offers a different sort of tea party; for starters, it is saner, since Burton's film forgoes some of the more nonsensical elements of the story in favour of plot. Sadly there's not even a lot of tea drinking, as this party is for plotting rather than, as in the 1951 film, a simple love of tea. In the end Alice herself gets an insight into what it is to be a teabag, when she is shrunk down and stuffed into a teapot to hide.

Looking at these examples, it seems the most remarkable thing about tea in films is that it's very rarely part of a dark or unpleasant scene. Tea, it seems, is universally a good thing.