Review of Babette's Feast (1987) by Rodrigo M — 01 Apr 2010

Based on a story by Isak Dinesen, this small, quiet and exquisite film justly won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. A meditation on poignant regrets, missed opportunities and roads not taken, as well as a somewhat wry comparison between the spartan devotions of Danish Calvinists and the almost shamefully grandiose culinary habits of the debauched French Papists, this film works on a deeply personal and heartfelt level.

Never maudlin or overly sentimental, it paints a finely detailed portrait of a devout pair of minister's daughters, who gave up promising futures out of a sense of duty to serve their small flock, and the impact on that community when one of their acts of kindness is repaid many times over by their servant Babette's elegant banquet.

A serene and touching story told in a hauntingly beautiful way. Highly recommended.