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Movies/Scenes
Representing Generosity/Hospitality
 | Amelie
(2001)
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| 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) |
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| 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) |
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