(Semi)Love Story

 Niya here:
 

While watching Gabriel Axel’s 1987 film Babette’s Feast, it is impossible to watch the entire film and remain hungry. The premise of the film, the housekeeper for two elderly pious sisters suddenly wins the lottery in her homeland of France, and decides that with her earnings she would like to cater a feast in honor of the sister’s late father. Babette, the lucky lottery winner, herself a refuge the revolutions in France which had claimed the lives of her husband and son, had nothing when the sisters accept her as their maid.  To repay their kindness, Babette hopes give them an extraordinary edible experience. Led by these sisters, the remaining elderly members of the strictly devout Christian sect are hesitant of the meal as Babette planned. Socialized to not expect of find pleasure in food, many their feared that what she was doing would only harm their chances of joy in the afterlife. Their plan, to experience the meal as if they have no sense of taste emphasized their need for simplicity. As Babette moves through the courses, and the alcohol begins to move through the disciples it seems certain codes become more lax and they lend themselves to arguable the best physical experience of their lives.

       

        Beneath this story, however, I was touched by the (semi)love story between Martine and Lorenz Lowenhielm. Lorenz, who met Martine as a young cadet in the army visiting her village, quickly fell in love. Feeling inadequate, Lorenz leaves without Martine resolute that he would have never been a sufficient lover. Years later, with both of their lives, in seemingly opposite directions, were both different than what their younger selves might have imagined. Martine, along with her sister, devotes her life to maintaining the last of their father’s creation. Lorenz now remarried and a general in the army finds that this life may not be all he envisioned. Invited to the dinner party as a guest of his aunt a member of the congregation, Lorenz is given the opportunity to confront the love from his part.  Before the dinner, taking a moment to analyze his reflection in the mirror, he sees a vision of a younger version of him and noting that the only difference between his life then and now is merely the element of vanity.

        
        At the end of the dinner, Lorenz, in his bright bold blue and yellow uniform, and Martine, in all black, share one intimate moment in which aided by copious amounts of alcohol he is able to express to her that he  has been with her and will continue to be with her every day of his life in his soul. This he quietly whispers will give him a greater joy, and a sense that all things are possible. These ideas that ideas and feelings of the soul hold the only power, and that of the body is weak and temporary seems aligned with the strict code of morals this sect has abided to throughout their lives. It is possible that despite their seemingly different morals and norms, the two lovers has remained harmonized at heart, waiting their time until they would receive the ultimate reward.  This dinner, provided more than indulgent foods, but at chance at the promise of more in the (semi)love story of Martine and Lorenz.