Babette's Feast
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Movie Reviews of Babette's Feast
Movie Review: A singular GEM of a movie. The best.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Babette's Feast" is one of those rare, delicate films that appeals across a broad spectrum of beliefs and expectations. It matters not whether you are liberal or conservative, spiritual or secular: There is nothing not to like about this movie. If you (1) believe that good, well-prepared food can be spiritually-uplifting, and (2) you enjoyed the recent Lasse Halstrom film "Chocolat," then you should purchase "Babette's Feast" ASAP.Stephane Audran plays Babette Hersant, a refugee from civil war-torn France who finds sanctuary in the home of two elderly sisters living in a small village on the barren Jutland coast in Denmark. The religious community the sisters belong to is one in which denial of Earthly pleasure is key to one's spiritual redemption; yet unbeknownst to them, Babette was a gourmet chef of considerable renown back in France. Later, in gratitude to the villagers for their kindness, Babette offers to prepare them a French gourmet dinner; and although the villagers reluctantly agree to this extravagance, the soon realize that they may be opening themselves up to temptations of an almost diabolical nature. So before dinner is served, they agree amongst themselves to eat the meal without necessarily ENJOYING it. The ensuing scene at the dinner table, in which the guests are so obviously enjoying the meal yet unable to say so, is delightful.
I'm especially pleased with this DVD transfer. The last time I saw this film was by way of an old VHS copy, and while the story was imminently enjoyable, the picture was scratchy and washed-out compared this new release; this new transfer is fresh and rich-looking. For people who don't care for subtitles, there is the option of watching this film dubbed in English, but I wouldn't recommend it, because the actress used for Babette's voice speaks in a higher pitch and makes the woman sound like something of a French sex kitten.
Movie Review: A Seat at the Table
Summary: 5 Stars
I had heard good things about "Babette's Feast" and I had seen a couple of "food" movies to prepare me for it. It seems an odd genre; food films. However, I've discovered that they have a unique effect on me. While following an interesting story, I become engrossed in the variety of entres and appetizers resulting in a multi-dimensional experience. I've found it best not to watch such movies on an empty stomach.
"Babette's Feast" tells the story of a couple of exceptional spinster sisters and their fulfilling lives of service to others. We get to know their father; a forceful preacher who believes that the road to salvation lies in self-denial. We see the sisters both having romantic opportunities in their younger days and we're never quite certain if they harbor regrets in their later years. In the midst of their structured lives comes a French woman in need of a sort of mental asylum. She becomes their servant with her pay rendered in the form of room and board. She is instructed in the preparation of the local dishes which seem to be just the opposite of her culinary abilities. Eventually, she comes into money (there is an obvious clue to the source that we just end up waiting to happen). Her wish is to be able to prepare a 5 star French meal. The humor in this is that it is for the sister's fellow worshippers; those who deny themselves the luxuries of the material world.
All this may not seem like such a great plot but it is the character development that reaches out and involves us intimately in the movie. We are left with the observation that an artist is always in search of perfection. The duality of how perfection is perceived ends up being both exclusive and inclusive. Well, you had to be there. The brilliance of "Babette's Feast" is that it draws you in to where you realize you WERE there.
Movie Review: Wonderfully Original
Summary: 5 Stars
The story unfolds in a small, seaside Danish village. We watch patiently as the minister and his two lovely daughters lead their church and community through enlightenment and devout prayer. Rather than seeking marriage or fame, the sisters' faith and devotion to God keep them in this picturesque little hamlet well into late age, long after the minister's passing. At the request of a dear friend, the sisters are urged to take in a Parisian refuge in an effort to save her life during her government's turmoil. Babette becomes cook and housekeeper for the ladies.Many years later, Babette learns she's won the Paris lottery and decides to host a feast for the kindly sisters and the community that took her in. Though slow moving at first, the story gradually picks up momentum, interest and laughs along the way. The highlight is in the preparation and presentation of the feast itself; to the simple people of the village who have never before experienced such an exotic fare. Unbeknownst to everyone, Babette was the head chef at one of Paris' foremost restaurants and a personal favorite of Parisian royalty and dignitaries.
A delightful film and a treasure for any international collector. The characters are realistically wonderful and cast beautifully. While filled with many charming moments and excellent performances, the entire film is an absolute delight and highly suitable for family viewing. Although some parents may be hesitant to introduce a foreign language film (with subtitles) to their children, it has been my personal experience that children can embrace the important elements, plot and humor of this film, irrespective of individual reading proficiencies. This film was purchased at the urging of our children and says a lot for the uniqueness and originality of Babette's Feast. A true delight for all.
Movie Review: I love love love this movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I owned the video for several years and then I purchased the DVD. This movie is on my top ten favorite movies.
I was surprised when I first purchased the video that the story was by the great Isak Dinsen who wrote Out of Africa. I won't elaborate on the other reviewers who succinctly posted their thoughts, but I agree with most of them that this is one of the most beautiful movies ever made.
From the first moments of the film where we are introduced to the sisters and their minister father who live in a desolate town on the coast of Denmark and then to the "feast" itself, I was totally entranced. The scenery was bleak but beautiful, as was the total dedication of this family to the people in this small community.
The part of Babette was played by the glorious French actress Stephane Audran. You may have seen in her in many French movies, one in particular, Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and as the mistress of Lawrence Olivier in Bridehead Revisited. Could anyone be so wonderfully French! And so beautiful!
The scenes in the small kitchen where Babette cooks her "feast" are undeniably the highlight of the film. I felt like I was there in the kitchen with them with the scents and the heat from the oven. The poor turtle (did they really cook it?), the squabs, the delicious wines. The looks on the faces of the religious communants when they sampled all of the wonderful dishes along with the wonderful wines.
And the ending, which I won't give away here. But it was very heartwarming and funny! Needless to say, this is a movie that should be in everyone's collection who love classic movies. And this is, in my estimation, a real classic.
Movie Review: 5-Star Meal, 5-Star Cinema
Summary: 5 Stars
The feast of the title doesn't take place until well into the film. In fact, the majority of the film is spent telling the story of 2 godly sisters and the choices they made in life. Both sisters passed up true love and the promise of success in order to remain faithful to their religious beliefs. Instead they pass their lives assisting their minister father and carry on his work after his death. They continue their quiet lives past mid-life until one of the sisters' former suitors sends them a Parisian refugee, Babette. Babette spends 14 years with the sisters as cook, her only link to her former life being a lottery ticket that a friend in Paris renews for her every year. One day she wins the lottery and decides to use the money to prepare a sumptous dinner for the sisters and their small congregation. More than just an epicurean delight the feast is an outpouring of Babette's gratitude.If the plot sounds thin, be assured it's anything but. The story is as rich and satisfying as the feast Babette prepares. We see the delicate romances that develop for each sister and understand their reasons for turning their suitors away. We see the lives the sisters, and their men, have led after making their decision. The feast comes at a time when the sisters are asking themselves questions that they never voice: Did they make the right decision all those years ago? Was it worth it? Reassurance comes in an unexpected and exquisitely romanitc way.
This film is such a wonderful example of what happens when filmmakers are interested in telling a good story and telling it well. It doesn't follow a 'formula' or cater to a demographic and is a perfect example of why independent and foreign films are so much more satisfying than Hollywood movies.