In 19th Century Denmark, two sisters live in a quiet and isolated village with their aging father, a local pastor who leads a faithful congregation of believers. A couple of gentleman suitors pass through, but they are rebuffed as the father insists his daughters are essential to his work. Several decades later, their father has passed and the two sisters live out an unassuming existence of kindness and simplicity, continuing their father’s ministry.
One day a French lady arrives on their doorstep, having fled danger in Paris and asking if she might find shelter and work as their housekeeper. Many years later, as a thank you for their kindness, the housekeeper offers to cook a sumptuous banquet for the sisters and their now slightly disgruntled congregation. All concerned are alarmed by the possibility of strange food, decadent wine and all manner of departures from their hitherto austere simplicity. But the banquet begins to work grace in their midst, their hearts and their relationships.
*****
An utterly deserving Oscar winner for Best Foreign Picture back in 1988, Babette’s Feast now finally gets a decent DVD reissue so that many more can savour its considerable qualities. As the above outline suggests, this is a film of simplicity, elegance and a distinct lack of showy extravagance. Yet at no point does it feel sluggish, or uneventful. It takes its time building the characters, introducing supporting players, creating the world in which these distinctive and excellently-drawn individuals dwell, before treating us to a final half hour of sumptuous gourmet food that will melt the hardest of hearts and cause all but the fullest of stomachs to rumble.
The landscape is shown to be harsh and the sacrificial care given by the sisters is seen as costly, as is the expense to Babette of putting on the eponymous feast. But in a story about grace, gratitude, thankful service and forgiveness, none of these costs are deemed too great and none of them are felt as cumbersome burdens. Although the sets and landscapes are simply portrayed, nothing feels cheap. Consideration is given and attention is paid to costumes, props, buildings and scenery, all of which is simultaneously bleak and beautiful.
The script is gentle and beautiful and although a few lines feel a little artificially grandiose, for the most part these are presented as fully-formed genuine characters, whose pasts and presents feel rounded and authentic. The thawing of the guests as course after course of food and bottle after bottle of wine and champagne is served is a beautiful thing to behold, handled (as with all elements of this charming and affecting film) delicately, convincingly and heart-warmingly. In the face of the exhausting complexity and so-called technical sophistication of much modern film-making, Babette’s Feast serves as a timely reminder of the impact and effectiveness of simplicity and beauty expertly rendered. An excellent antidote to the sound and fury of the impending blockbuster season.
[Rating:4.5/5]
Extras: An interview with the French actress who plays Babette (Stéphane Audran) and a couple of trailers.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDbQ6ktcFPQ’]
