sharky_55 A grandmother, I presume, narrates Babette's Feast with a fairytale-like presence and charm. It is old fashioned like that, based on the short story from Karen Blixen, and the two central sisters reflect this. Flashbacks establish their devout nature and piousness. Martine is courted by a young soldier, handsome and ambitious, who later becomes an important figure in the Queen's court. Philippa by a marvellously talented singer whom has become depressed by the constant travel and only wants to settle down. The scenes of their duet and how they engage in love songs are terribly romantic, except for Philippa's expression, clearly uncomfortable by even the mere lyrics and implied sinful notions they carry (although there is a suggestion that this might be significantly from her puritan perspective - otherwise how would Papin be so sure of sending them Babette?). They live up to their Protestant figurehead namesakes that their dear father/pastor must have lovingly bestowed them; Martin Luther King and Philipp Melanchthon. So even as they are beautiful as flowering fruit trees, as they are described, they refrain from falling in love, and plead their allegiance to their father's church. When Babette, a survivor of the Paris Commune, arrives, the church community thanks and praises God for sending them this gift so that the sisters may continue to spread the good work and tend to the flock. And like so many communities there is invariably discord - accusations of affairs, people cheating other's of their money, lies and dissatisfaction. They are not oblivious to this, but they push it out of their minds for more important, high-minded issues. When Babette declares she is making a French dinner with the works, they hesitantly approve, and then are tentative on the serving of wine. It is a gateway to sin, and Axel emphasises this with a green-tinged nightmare filled with grotesque, satanic imagery fit for Revelations; fiery visions of hell, animals rearing their ugly heads, and the spill of red wine like blood. The feast is the lengthiest segment of the film, and the best. Henning Kristiansen initially establishes the rural, puritan village with a desaturated palette devoid of any idyllic environmental imagery or tempting vices. This reinforces their way of life - bare and plain, like the food that Babette serves the sisters with whatever meagre groceries that she can haggle for. And then he introduces candlelight and lamp, briefly warm in their glow, to accompany the feast. But he does not ramp this up to food porn levels - the ingredients are not exotic splashes of colour to bring life into the lives of the village - that change must come from within. The only out of place shot is the one immediately after the cathartic meal, the almost storybook scene of the endlessly beautiful starry night that looks upon their dance and song. This seems deliberately so, as if to over-highlight a new outlook on life. What many have not touched on is how funny Babette's Feast can be. The villagers all agree to shut out out temptations and refuse to comment on the food, no matter how good it is. The only one that is from a different perspective is Lorens, who has the expertise and freedom to do so. And he does too, marvelling at each course and dish and lavishing the flavours and combinations. The humour comes from the other dinner guests, who most evidently feel the same way about the food as he does, but do not want to admit it. Instead they chime awkwardly in with religious recitations that fall on deaf ears and gross, offended looks at the sinful gluttony that is occurring right beside them. The food continues to be served (in a way that is reminiscent of Big Night, and how the courses overwhelm the guests) and there is a slow epiphany. Old feuds are forgiven and forgotten, lost love is rekindled. The film is not anti-religious in any way, but serves up a tale that is able to rouse even the most pious to slurp and suck every last drop and swallow every last bite with relish. Babette may have nothing left, but ironically it is her that has gained and dished out the spiritual fulfilment, and they are all full, and so is the audience.

John Holmes Without doubt the most pointless, slow, and dull film ever made, if you honestly think this film is a good film, you are also pointless, slow and dull. There is no deep, meaningful 'between the lines' feelings from this film, it is simply a pointless film about leaving a town and then a woman cooking a meal.If you think the film starts slow, fear not, it gets even slower, if you or someone you know have trouble sleeping at night, I highly recommend this film. I honestly didn't think it was possible to make a film this bad.

giorgiogalassi I won't judge the visual quality and atmosphere of the film, which is certainly of good rate. I simply look upon the subject of the story, revolving around two beautiful girls, in the very bloom of their youth and (one imagines) sexual drive and liveliness, ready to embrace life at its full and enjoy freedom, pleasures and adventures, who on the contrary devote themselves to religious longing and prayer and fade away year after year sewing, sighing, singing and hanging out with old folks. I can't imagine any human being not growing insane in these conditions; it is definitely a good subject for a Michael Haneke's film, but to want to work a comedy out of this requires a very partial, not to say obtuse, comprehension of human nature. We often (and wrongly) quote authors like Pinter, Ionesco and Beckett as the representatives of the Theatre of the Absurd: well, we should rather start from this.

Raoul Duke So I watched the critically acclaimed Babette's feast from 1987. Well is this movie a classic I say a resounding yes. Is it for everyone no! Am I possibly biased because, I like Babette am a true artist in the kitchen. That is possible but what about all the others who love this classic. This movie is about lost love, struggle, loss, religion, dedication, the paths we take, and the choices we make, it is about joy and acceptance, and learning to free oneself to be happy in the presence of a puritan God, all over a kick ass meal. However, most of all this movie is about that "kick ass" greatest meal ever. If transformers was not your favorite movie of the last decade, if you did not have to run to see Sex in the City, if your idea of talent is not Ben Affleck, then run don't walk to your computer and download this flick. Or just do what I did and catch it on satellite one day, but by all means see this film, it is really brilliant. if you like concise reviews of interesting films please read my other reviews at http://raouldukeatthemovies.blogspot.com/