Food – The Main Character Movie Review Examples

Food is one of the most important things that represent a culture. One can see how does one nation function through food, the way of their life and their variety in everything, not only in food preparation. A movie, “Babette`s Feast“explores the ways in which food brings people together and connects two different worlds: the cruel life of two sisters in the far North and Babette, a young French woman who fled Paris.
In this way, food can be seen as the central media that connects two different cultures. Before Babette arrived in the remote and lonely village, the villagers did not know how food could be wonderful and amazing. Their meals mainly consisted of fish and bread. Their meal was similar as their lives-monotonous. Every day resembled to the day before and their only concern was to survive and pray to God. The two sisters missed their chances to lead a better and different life because they were afraid of the unknown. They chose to remain with their father and to cherish him and his sermons even after his death. Even though they lived in a small community and prayed together every week, there were some things that were left unsaid. However, Babette changed their view on food and life. At first when Babette said that she will prepare the dinner in the honor of the 100th birthday of their father they were suspicious. The arrival of goods that were going to be used in the process of preparation made things even worse. They did not know what to expect and apologized in advance for the things that were going to be served. When the day came and guests started to arrive Babette started to prepare the finest culinary meals. The only person who could recognize Babette`s art was general Loewenhielm, a general who still loved one of the sisters and who came to see if he had made the right choice in his youth. The food and the vine helped the villagers to open their hearts and forgive each other for every misdeed. The variety of culinary specialties made their palates feel something different. This was an exotic experience for them and they indulged in food and their senses felt the difference. Food became the silent character that brought them together. In the case of this movie, food brought together French to Nordic culture. The process of food preparation is vividly portrayed. As quests follow one course after the other their cheeks blush and they feel more and more relaxed and joyous. Food not only brought French culture closed to them, but it also reconciled their disagreements and made them forgive each other.
In this movie, food is a central character that describes the differences that exist among cultures. It also portrays the effect that it can have on people who are afraid of something unknown. Even though the viewers cannot smell or taste the carefully prepared Babette`s specialties, by the quests` reactions they can see that it is good and delicious. This movie can be regarded as a movie about food because it gives food a central place. Even now, at the dawn of the 21st century where a variety of different cuisines can be found everywhere, food is as important as it has been in the culture of every nation and reveals a lot about their history and the way of life.