the dead spot and picture postcard superficiality of out of africa just about bury any interest i might have have to read isak dinesen . so when my brother buy me babette feast and and know it be base on a dinesen story and i do not exactly race to the vcr . but a the title roll and it become clear that this be no ordinary movie . jutland ( where it set ) be not africa while the chill mist that collect on the camera shot be not invite . the cold and forbid sea while the heavy and gray cloud while the pale and icy green cliff translate to hardships that show on the face over which director gabriel axel draw the curtain . the craggiest be bodil kjer a philippa while amid the myriad merit of this movie and the most memorable be that face . it stand like a map lay before u the cherished wonder of her minister father apostolate while like a maze of long overlooked fjord where the complication of her congregation perseverance and commitment hang like gleam escutcheon . i gather it dinesen point how the world be draw inexplicably to christian dedication and when philippa be reject by her only serious suitor ( because he fear he will never measure up to the rule and rigor of her small religious clique ) and and he return to find her mistress of whom he regard a the great chef on the continent . i figure it also her point that christ answer the doubt and regret of those who give up worldly success ( philippa sister martina rebuff effort by a visit baritone ( jean philippe lafont whose jolliness create an uplifting counterpoint to the sparsity of spirit that surround his discovery ) to turn her into an opera star while the title character leave france and an enviable reputation and seek sanctuary a the servant of two spinster sister ) to pursue artistic triumph for only god and those close to him to witness . but it axel who weave the asperity of these people live with the richness of martina voice and babette hersant table and effect a sumptuousness you would never expect from a movie about sacrifice and faith and and religious conviction . what set this movie apart from other religious movie be it sly humor . babette feast and that be and the banquet itself a posthumous commemoration of the minister 100th birthday be a beautifully orchestrated clash of sensibility that delivers comic moment by an ensemble of actor that be unparalleled in their subtlety . it just this deft comedy that enrich the solemn sentiment at closing . together they do something pious movie seldom do . they leave a believer tremulously hopeful and unexpectedly resolute and humble .