I had the privilege of seeing Julie and Julia the night it opened here in the States. I enjoyed it, I was hoping to see more from the book make it to the screen that did not. There’s a lot to cover in 2 hours–I guess involving all the people in the book would be far too many introductions to make, and the story centers on the two heroines. The language in the movie is much cleaner than the book, unless they redid the book to better match the movie. [As far as I know, they did not.] I was glad they didn’t omit 9/11 references in depicting Powell’s job.
Anyway, as part of this new series on the Filmrelics blog, I searched my film memories for a wonderful older picture with a food theme. And that film would be Babette’s Feast. Directed by Gabriel Axel, released in 1988, Babette’s Feast is a Danish film with subtitles available in English, French and Spanish. The teaser info the premise centers on Babette’s arrival. But as I recall, the story starts at the home of two sisters, daughters of a puritan minister, who live modest lives together. One is very beautiful, the other a very talented singer. Both women have lived lives of self-denial as good Christians they feel they are expected to be–suitors and an opera company called, and the sisters declined.
Babette comes from revolution-weary France, seeking a more peaceful existence. Again, being good Christians, the sisters oblige her. At some point, Babette wins the lottery and it is decided she will return to France; her last night at the sister’s home, she cooks a lavish French dinner, far more elegant than the simple fish platters the sisters eat every day of their lives. The sisters aren’t sure they approve of this extravagance, but Babette really wants to thank them for taking her in in her time of need.
I won’t share anymore because I don’t want to spoil the whole story, but you see there’s a intriguing predicament there. The story for Babette’s Feast came from the imagination of none other than Isak Denisen, who gave us Out of Africa.
Other movies that deal with food and human conflict that I’ve enjoyed are Like Water for Chocolate, The Joy Luck Club, Woman on Top, Chocolat, and Pixar’s Ratatouille. I know there are many more out there, but I haven’t seen them just yet.
For more information on any movie mentioned in this post, see the following links:
Julie & Julia http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/
Babette’s Feast http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092603/
The Joy Luck Club http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107282/
Chocolat http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241303/
Woman on Top http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206420/
Like Water for Chocolate http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103994/
Ratatouille http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/
