Babette's Feast
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Movie Reviews of Babette's Feast
Movie Review: Unbelievable
Summary: 5 Stars
One Hundred and three minutes of a feast? Not much of a marketing ploy; however,there is clearly no other title which could do justice to this film.
The story is of epic proportion, and, as is with all epics, clearly leaves its audience with a classic, moral message. At the same time, this epic in no way parallels the voyages of Odysseus or the legend of Beowulf, and, therein, lies the unparalleled beauty of this tale.
Unequivocally, do not disregard this movie owing to the inclusion of subtitles; they are hardly relevant. As a public school teacher, I have many times had to entice jaded students into examining the beauty of Shakespearian text or encourage them to actively listen to Elizabethan language. "Babette's Feast" requires only attention to action and expression to gain the timelessly unselfish message resonating forever at its conclusion.
Especially currently, when our society travels 100 miles per hour with its hair on fire every single day, the imprint of Babette's soul could go a long way toward reminding everyone of us what matters and the transience of that matter.
Movie Review: A feast in more than one sense
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw Babette's Feast in the late 80's - it seemed a dark and sumptuous film, watching it again recently I was stunned again by its simplicity and the beauty not only of the film but the characters and the values it espouses. Set in rural Denmark in the years after the Franco-Prussian war it is the story of two Christian sisters and their 'housekeeper', a woman who had fled Paris and her own personal tragedy. Her background is a secret and no one enquires, or even appears the wonder about her until she serves the sisters and their little band of brethren a feast, then it becomes apparent to us that she is none other than the famous Parisiene chef who designed meals of breath taking creativity during the reign of Napoleon 111. The brethren are so frightened of the gift she gives them that they determine not to taste or comment on the meal but Babette's art works a magic of its own and the gift she gives these dour people is more than food. The film is charming, a little bit of melancholy and lost opportunity drifts through it, but mingled with the sadness there is a sort of peace and joy. I loved it!Movie Review: Splendid Film Can Leave You Ravenous!
Summary: 5 Stars
My friend Susan and I wanted to see this film when it premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. However, we both kept reading that everyone left the film absolutely ravenous for food after visually feasting upon sublime course after course for 2 hours. Thus, when we saw that an excellent French restaurant would serve us the entire meal just prior to our seeing the film, we decided to go for it. The food was absolutely out of this world and we showed up for the film well stuffed. We were thus able to really enjoy the quiet pleasures of the film where Babette, taken in by two elderly sisters in a small village when in dire need, shows her gratitude and love for them by preparing this feast when she wins the lottery. We, of course, learn everything we need to know about the lives of the sisters and Babette as the feast progresses. This film deservedly won the foreign film Oscar. For those who complain that foreign films are too depressing with bleak endings, you will find this a powerful life-affirming film and contrary to any bleak expectations regarding foreign filmmaking.Movie Review: a tender and touching illustration of God's grace
Summary: 5 Stars
I got the movie as a result of reading the section on it in _What's So Amazing About Grace_ by Philip Yancey pg 19ffJust go get the movie and watch it, read the reviews later....
So you're back. Tear jerker and thoughtful both. very nice.
So what is grace?
How did they miss it so long?
How could someone so talented be content to cook stale wet bread and boiled dried cod?
Grace is free for the receivers, expensive to the giver.
We can spend a lifetime fighting grace and completely miss the point. It is there among us all the time. but we miss it because we are looking for it in the wrong places.
Self denial, anger, lack of love, cloud our thinking and allow us to miss the banquet of grace.
but we recognize it when it is there, we are seduced by it, and the old dance in the moonlight as a result. Healed, full, flavorful.
She was home, where she belonged, her family had been killed. Like the sisters she was doing her duty, what she felt was her destiny. Waiting patiently to demonstrate her love.
Nice movie. Sorry i missed it for so long.
Movie Review: Feast for the viewers as well,
Summary: 5 Stars
Babette's Feast is is a singular film. It manages to tell its story very well. There are no surprises, no twists and turns, yet it is totally unpredicable. In a way it is the depiction of a Christian agape, for the feast itself uplifts the spirits of the characters and fills them not only with great food but great joy that is symbolized by the little dance at the end. The viewer is likely to feel uplifted in the same way. It is a religious film free of pious touches. The celebration of devout lives, of personal sacrifice, but without cant. It is a story with "heavies,"with melodrama. But, of course, the centerpiece is the feast and it is enough to make you want to head for the nearest (good) French Restaurant Still never have I ever had as much fun watching people eat. The Academy must have felt the same way!
I know each of us like to watch foreign language films in his own way, but I prefer to listen to the Danish and French and read the subtitles. Incidentally, the singing is also a great pleasure.