Artistic, sensual and sacred passions unite in Babette’s Feast. Written and directed by Gabriel Axel, from a short story by Out of Africa’s Isak Dinesen, this Oscar(r)-winning*film offers “an irresistible mixture of dry wit and robust humanity” (Newsweek). Onthe desolate coast of Denmark live Martina and Philippa, the beautiful daughters of a devout clergyman who preaches salvation through self-denial. Both girls sacrifice youthful passion to faith and duty, and even many years after their father’s death, they keep his austere teachings alive among thetownspeople. But with the arrival of Babette, a mysterious refugee from France’s civil war, life for the sisters and their tiny hamlet begins to change. Soon, Babette has convinced them to try something truly outrageousa gourmet French meal! Her feast, of course, scandalizes the local elders. Just who is this strangely talented Babette, who has terrified this pious town with the prospect of losing their souls for enjoying too much earthly pleasure? *1987: Foreign Language FilmSome movies can only be described as delicious. In Babette’s Feast, a woman flees the French civil war and lands in a small seacoast village in Denmark, where she comes to work for two spinsters, devout daughters of a puritan minister. After many years, Babette unexpectedly wins a lottery, and decides to create a real French dinner–which leads the sisters to fear for their souls. Joining them for the meal will be a Danish general who, as a young soldier, courted one of the sisters, but she turned him away because of her religion. The village elders all resolve not to enjoy the meal, but can their moral fiber resist the sensual pleasure of Babette’s cooking? Babette’s Feast deservedly won the 1987 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This lovely movie is impeccably simple, yet its slender narrative contains a wealth of humor, melancholy, and hope. –Bret Fetzer
Buy “Babette’s Feast” For Only $5.98
March 8, 2006
#1
I watched this movie in eigth grade french. Let me tell you i really didn’t like it. I understand everything about it but come babbette makes some nasty stuff! I also think that babbette was portrayed as someone who when she won the lottery was exploted for her francs.
March 8, 2006
#2
I made my way through about 40 minutes of this film and finally had to turn it off. The “love” stories are absurd. The “lovers” scarcely even speak to one another. The point of view is mostly from the male lovers’ perspective, and they look at these women as sweet little charming ornaments. I don’t know what a modern viewer could possibly take from this film, other than to be thankful that most men today now see women as friends and companions, perfectly equal in moral, spiritual, and intellectual capacity, and vice versa.
For a depiction of the “wild woman” who rolls through town and scandalizes the populace with her sensuous cooking skills, I prefer Chocolat!
March 8, 2006
#3
This movie would have made a nice 30 minute short film. The final 30 minutes showing the “feast” is somewhat entertaining but the 70 minutes leading up to it will put you to sleep.
March 8, 2006
#4
I was expecting to like this film. It had been recommended by many people. After watching and loving “Mostly Martha” I was discussing that movie with a friend. She recommended Babette’s Feast. The only thing they have in common are some great cooking scenes. “Mostly Martha” is a much better movie as far as I am concerned.
I guess I don’t understand the puritan point of view and I was waiting for the villagers to change. But it never happened. Yes, they enjoyed a good dinner and went home happy, but I believe it will be back to normal the next day while they wait to die and then everything will be lovely. And Babette. Why has she also given up on this life? There were people in the village who seemed interesting and potential friends.
Perhaps the feast in the movie does represent the last supper. Then who is Jesus? Babette? Why? And are the choices and lives that the people have led supposed to mean something special at the end of the movie? What was gained by choosing the lives they did? All this sacrifice so that maybe in heaven one sister will get to sing and Babette will get to be a chef and the angels will appreciate them. I don’t get it at all.
March 8, 2006
#5
while two sisters grow old, their “servant” makes a big dinner. um, i know im not descibing it very well, but if youre interested enough to see this movie, youve probably already seen it.