When it comes to films on food, some focus on the fattening, sentimental, or even social qualities of cuisine, while others spotlight its comforting capability over the mind, body, and spirit. Babette’s Feast is one such film that conforms to the latter perception. By depicting love through both sustenance and creed, Babette’s Feast establishes itself as an elegant and profoundly religious plate-of-art that binds us all together as living, loving, and sentient beings.
Based on the short story by Isak Dinesen, Babette’s Feast tells the story of twin sisters, Martina (Birgitte Federspiel) and Philippa (Bodil Kjer,), who live on Denmark’s Jutland peninsula, during the late nineteenth century.
In their younger years, Martina (Vibeke Hastrup) easily attracted the likes of Lieutenant Lorens Lowenhielm (Gudmar Wivesson), while Philippa (Hanne Stensgaard) effortlessly enticed Achille Papin (Jean-Phillipe Lafont)—a famous opera singer. Nevertheless, the sisters declined their respective suitors in order to remain dedicated to their father’s (Pouel Kern) ministry of helping others.
Thirty five years later, now that their father has been long deceased, the two saintly siblings continue to carry on their father’s preaching of responsibility and charity and serve as the heads of the small Danish village’s religious sect. Practicing what they preach, the sisters graciously welcome a stricken French woman, named Babette (Stéphane Audran), into their home. After realizing that Babette was sent in the name of Achille Papin and that her entire family had been killed in Paris, Martina and Philippa embrace their guest and begin to teach her how to boil cod and make ale-bread soup—the mainstay diet within the poverty-stricken sect.
It isn’t until after 14 years of service, that Babette feels as though she is truly able to repay the sisters with a splendid French feast. The sisters allow Babette to cook the extensive meal for the 100th anniversary of their departed father’s birth, and it just so happens that the now decorated General Lowenhielm (Jarl Kulle) is invited.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - Nancy
I'm glad someone has reviewed this deserving film; it's really so excellent, very warm & entirely understandable even without dubbing. I even picked up a few Danish phrases. The first half is a bit slow, but it follows in the tradition of older literature, when stories didn't start off with explosions or slaughter, but set the mood. As pointed out, the second half - beginning with Babette's winning the French lottery - especially the cooking, using techniques & technology now, for the most part, long gone - is fascinating & deftly orchestrated, both as cooking & as 'plot'. Throughout, the film is infused with a gentle humor. No belly laughs, but lots of smiles. Tak for the review, Brandon!
2 - Mat Brewster
Tis a beautiful, lovely film. It is slowly paced, but worth every minute of it.
Thanks for the review.