Movies/Scenes
Representing Generosity/Hospitality
- Amelie
(2001)
- See Looking Closer, review by Jeffrey Overstreet.
- Chocolat
(2000)
- A mysterious, appealing woman Vianne appears in a small French town. She quietly challenges the religious establishment's hold on the people, by the generously hospitable way she lives and by her welcome of outcasts. The Mayor keeps the people in line by the force of his joyless, controlling personality, and has brought the church under his influence (he writes the priest's sermons, exhorting the people to fasting and abstinence). Vianne opens a chocolate shop, and the people start secretly visiting during Lent. They are torn between their religious duties and the vision of joy represented by Vianne's hospitality and wonderful food. She and the Mayor come into conflict, as he resents her power to attract the people and cause them to break the Lenten fast. Eventually the Mayor's midnight attack on her shop backfires on him, as he unwittingly tastes the chocolate and surrenders to his own need for joy and comfort. (Marnie Barrell, Auckland, New Zealand)
- Babbette's Feast (1987)
- It's a
Wonderful Life (1946)
- A perennial favorite: the "salvation" scene at the end of the movie, where all of George's friends bring their contribution to help him out. The table literally "overfloweth" with their generosity. A wonderful metaphor for God's grace in times of need. (Brian Rafferty)
