All-time Highest Graded Films
Highest Graded Films of 1987
Gabriel Axel's Graded Films
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Since 06/09/00
Set in 19th century Denmark, the screenplay was based on a story by Isak Dinesen that was first published in the "Ladies Home Journal". 1985 Oscar multi-winner Out of Africa was based on Dinesen's experiences in Africa.
The film features a deeply religious family, led by a kindly elderly minister and his two lovely daughters. Given a choice between love and religion, they are steered by their father to the latter. Their rejected suitors move on to successful careers, while the sisters grow old together still steeped in their service to the poor.
Along the way, they take on an unpaid servant, Babette (Stephane Audran). After many years of loyal service, she wins the French lottery. This money is spent on a lavish feast, which helps to seal the divisions among the quarreling elder members of their small religious sect.
Many critics have fawned on the subtleties in Babette's Feast. For example, the father can hardly withhold his pleasure when his daughter announces that she wishes to end her tempting singing lessons. And an elderly benefactor of the sister's charity cannot hold his contempt when given their soup, which for once has not been prepared by unsurpassable cook Babette.
Are these nuances evidence of greatness? Or, are they merely moments of brilliance that stand out in an otherwise tame production? And doesn't the viewer feel sorry for the quails and (especially) the sea tortoise, which does not achieve an end as happy as that of the film.
A fable of sacrifice and platonic love, the perpetual peace of the sisters and their servant is remarkable yet not of great interest. If they inspired the General to a career that in his old age he now rejects, then this is a muddled moral for a film.
In truth, this is a film for the cultural "Masterpiece Theater" generation. What it has in class, it lacks in bite. Enjoy it despite its limitations, but consider that in truth it doesn't have much to say.