The point of the film
This great movie shares a theme with another great film - Chocolat
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241303/
Both films deal with how a newcomer brings light and tolerance into a dark and intolerant local society.
Agreed. Only one significant difference is that in Chocolat, Christianity is skewered. Here it is upheld, with the (very biblical) belief put forward that one's skills and passions (the good ones, anyway) will be continued and enhanced in Heaven.
Incidentally, the "intolerance" in Babette's Feast only seems to crop up during the preparation of the meal. (I still can't get over that the sisters were so quick to think Babette was engaging in some typoe of witchcraft!) I was a tad surprisesd when the old minisister asked Papin if he was Catholic ("A Papist"), then welcomed him into his home and a working relationship with his daughter nevertheless.
Gratitude is another aspect of the movie's theme. Babette was grateful to have been given a refuge. She was content to stay in that safe place and never to return to the world which has turned on her (the French civil war.) The sisters and poor people in the village are grateful Babette has introduced them to tastier food.
In the same way, humankind is grateful for food provided us by Divine Providence. It may be simple or as elaborate as this Parisian feast; but it satisfies hunger and keeps us alive.
Generosity is the complement to receiving. Each of the characters gives of him or herself. You can only give what you have. When Babette could afford only simple foods, she prepared them as well as she could with the addition of a few herbs. Philippa could have used her singing talent to gain fame and wealth; Martine her youthful beauty and charm, to acquire a an upper-class family. Lorens has precognitive visions; but as a soldier for his country he must dismiss them. Each chooses a higher moral value: loyalty, charity, inspiration and the worship of G-d, rather than the physical pleasures of the world.
In this movie, they finally experience the satisfaction of knowing their lifelong efforts have been important and appreciated.
Frumwannabe rightly points out that gratitude is another aspect of the theme. It may be one of the most important aspects, since the feast stands in the place of the Eucharist (Communion). Eucharist comes from the Greek word for "thanksgiving" and Babette's feast she prepares (for the Twelve no less!) is that Eucharistic meal. In the liturgy of the communion is a line that shows that the Eucharist is not simply a memorial of Jesus' last supper with the 12 disciples, but is also a memorial of the future Kingdom: "...when we feast at the heavenly banquet..."
It is a reminder, as the General points out in his speech, that simple acceptance of mercy and lives of thanksgiving are the point. The gratitude in response to this marvelous meal is truly transformative in their lives. As the one character ends the meal by shouting, "Hallelujah!".
Those contrasting this film with Chocolat are right to point out that this is much more affirming of religion than Chocolat is. The only one who gives voice to positive Christianity in Chocolat is the young priest, whereas the two sisters in the film are exemplary characters. They may have sacrificed love and career, but one can hardly argue that serving the poor old people of their town was somehow misguided or wrong (the way the overly pious mayor in Chocolat was). These were sincere and faithful people who had not taken the time to appreciate the joys of their faith until they were served a joyous feast that opened them up to the grace they had been living.
I also liked very much that the General, who had learned to talk the language of piety and did so because it was popular at court, clearly did more than learn to talk the language, he actually truly understood it.
Christianity is skewered. Here it is upheld, with the (very biblical) belief put forward that one's skills and passions (the good ones, anyway) will be continued and enhanced in Heaven.
That was not my interpretation. The sisters' upbringing and choices earlier in life resulted in a repressed mindset and unfulfilled qualities. Hence their horror at Babette's dinner plans. When Babette stated that an artist is never poor, it refers to one's fulfillment of their personal ambitions. Babette succeeded where the sisters had failed.
I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.