Babette's Feast(1987)

Based on a Karen Blixen story, <i>Babette's Feast</i> is a heartwarming tale of generosity in 19th century Denmark. As the film opens, we are introduced to Martine and Philippa, daughters of a charismatic preacher in a tiny Jutland village. Dedicated to their father's work, they turn down the courtship of a Danish officer and a French musician. Decades later, the musician sends them Babette, a refugee from the…

Reviewed on September 12, 2018

Well, <em>'Babette’s Feast'</em> is exactly what it says on the tin, that's for sure. It is a film that I'd personally refer to as 'good', though my interest did ascend and descend interchangeably throughout. The religiously and sing-y scenes were the parts that kinda lost me if I'm honest, but there is still enough there that I had a fine time seeing unfold - the characters for one, and then the final feast itself…

Reviewed on February 15, 2024

**_The moment when “Mercy and truth… have kissed each other”_** In a northern Jutland village, two daughters of a pietistic Lutheran pastor are dutiful spinsters by 1871 (Bodil Kjer and Birgitte Federspiel) when they take-in a Parisian refugee who “can cook” (Stéphane Audran). Fourteen years later, the latter insists on banquet for the dwindling congregation and a Hussar general, a former suiter of one of the…

Reviewed on August 15, 2024

Now if you’re not up for a genuine dose of human kindness then this isn’t going to be a film for you. It’s all about the young “Babette” (Stéphane Audran) who has been taken in by a pair of spinster sisters who, despite plenty of opportunity, found themselves tied to their preacher father’s apron strings throughout his life, and who are now living life largely just waiting for it’s end. “Filippa” (Bodil Kjer) and…

Reviewed on July 3, 2025