Babette's Feast
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VHS Movie Reviews of Babette's Feast
Movie Review: The Evil Power of a French Dinner (Who Can Resist?)
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an elegant film which tells a story filled with symbolism and meaning. The cinematography is outstanding. It is a highly focused story where dialogue is minimal but used to maximum effect. It is about committment, family loyalty, devotion to religion, love, charity, and worldly temptations. The film is based on a short book by Isak Dinesen titled "Anecdotes of Destiny". Most interesting is how much of the story and filming occurs within the small village in Denmark. Also, much of the story occurs when the main characters are elderly ...It is great story of faith and giving.
Taking place in the 19th century, Martina and Phillipa are the beautiful daughters of a Lutheran pastor in a fishing village in northern Denmark. Their father started a religious sect which is very austere and pious. It emphasizes the "world to come" and preaches controlling the passions and appetites of this world. The two lovely daughters never attend balls or parties so the young men who wish to make their acquaintance must attend her father's church to eye the two beauties and speak to them. Two young men in particular fall in love with these ladies but it is not within their destinies to fulfull their desires. Officer Lorens Lowenhielm enters the scene when he is sent back by the Army to live in the palace with his wealthy Aunt for a time. He falls in love with Martina when he first sees her while riding on the hillside of the village when she is drawing water from the well. She chooses to live with her father rather than marry this handsome officer. Phillipa's soprano voice is heard by a French visitor to the village, Achilles Papin who performs opera on the stage in Paris. He approachers her father to offer Phillipa private voice lessons. Achilles Papin is convinced Phillipa will "wow" the Parisians where she would become a diva ... Phillipa also declines to pursue this worldy temptation and remains living in the village with her father instead.
As the years pass, the beauty of the two sisters fades but never disappears. They perform works of charity for the poor, carrying on the devoted life to which they became accustomed after their father died. There remains a small flock of true believers who meet on Sundays to worship and recall the teachings of this pious man of the cloth. The two sisters receive a letter from Achilles Papin from Paris, asking the sisters to receive Babette into their home. She is a French lady who survived the French Revolution but lost all her family and possesions. She becomes their maid and servant ... making herself indespensible to their lives. The two sisters are able to carry out more of their charitable works and notice Babette has a way of helping them increase their income and livlihood as well.
Good fortune shines on Babette, after many years of servitude, she won the French lottery, a princely sum of 10,000 francs. On the 100th birthday of their father, Babette offers to cook a dinner for the sisters and the congregation. Despite some misgivings, the sisters agree. Everyone who attends promises not to show any pleasure in what they eat but to act "just as if we never had a sense of taste" for to enjoy would surely be viewed as a sin. They determine not to mention anything about the food when partaking of it.
It is a sensuous delight to watch Babette prepare the various courses ... The camera does a superb job of capturing the parishioner's faces who do their damndest to look sullen and neutral while eating this gourmet feast. There is a special dinner guest from the past ... It so happens he did *not* promise to deny his pleasure in dining on this feast. It is highly amusing to watch the guests respond with remarks about the weather as this special guest describes each succulent and delectable dish. His expressions of appreciation for each French delicacy is priceless. He especially appreciates the superb Spanish wine and champagne, which it is noted none of the parishioners refuse. It is quite funny, watching them imitate the guest as he eats each course. The film has a most impressive ending which symbolizes how Babette essentially became the widow who gave totally and selflessly *all* that she had (as in the Bible story about the widow's mite). Erika Borsos (pepper flower)
Movie Review: "Babette's Feast"--a heartwarming "feast" for everyone!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you enjoyed "Chocolat", you will also enjoy this film. It is a simple story, spoken in Danish (with English subtitles) that will warm your heart! I highly recommend this film for Christmas gifting--and the current price at Amazon makes it so affordable. You can view the story line on the internet so I will not compete with the professional narration. Movie Review: One of the best films ever
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're entertained by car chases, handsome actors and bosomy actresses who can't act, you might want to pass on this film. By the way, there's no violence or nudity either in this movie. That should eliminate a few more viewers. However, if you want a great story, excellent acting, an atmosphere you've never seen before, this can be considered a masterpiece. I've seen it a couple of times; I'll see it again.
The story is basically about three women, two Danish sisters who have eschewed passion for piety and obedience--and a young French woman who comes to their village, fleeing from something in her past. The newcomer has the talent of a great culinary artist, but it takes a while for the others to realize that. Then she comes into a great deal of money and prepares a feast of all feasts for the sisters who have eaten bland food, mostly local fish, all their lives. Babette's entire fortune goes into the groceries, a sum beyond the imagination of her friends. There is puzzlement on their faces as they savor something more exotic than they had ever imagined, and their lives can never quite go back to the ennui of the Danish coast.
This is simply a movie that any intelligent movie fan can never forget.
Movie Review: An excellent history about food and fellings
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is about the food and the pleasure of eating it. The performances of the actors are just great, if you like gastronomi and romance, you will enjoy this masterpiece.Movie Review: Amazing story/Amazing film
Summary: 5 Stars
Though set in the past and in a forgotten place, the story itself is timeless and universal in conveying the deep human need to connect with others. To speak specifically to any aspect of the story is to betray it. See the film. If you have ever longed for an opportunity to give from heart and soul, see the film. If you have ever feared loss of someone precious, see the film. Your life and appreciation for the gifts of others will be enriched by this story.