Babette's Feast (1987)

Two spinster sisters selflessly head a small religious community in a Danish seaside village, having long ago chosen to serve their pastor father rather than to leave him for families of their own. A former hopeful suitor writes to beg them to help a Frenchwoman who has lost her entire family to war and, though they cannot hire her, they do bring her into their home. She quickly takes over the cooking and household budget, improving the lives of her benefactors.

This is, simply put, a wonderful story. I just love the way the villagers' initial trepidation of the feast Babette promises slowly melts away with each course and sip. That the joy of the indulgent meal also melts away long-held pettiness was exceptionally believable to me -- this world was meant to be enjoyed and shared!

Lovely.

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