Chocolat

Rating:
Summary: You Might Be Surprised
Review: What do you get when you cross a bevy of French actors, Steven King's "Needful Things", and Ice T's rap song "I'm your Pusha?" Why Chocolat of course! No not the rich, theobromic stuff that your girlfriend craves but might kill your dog, I'm talking about the Juliette Binoche, Johnny Deep flick of similar repute. Set in the 1950's (I wasn't quite sure of the epoch until I saw the fooseball table at the local bar)the movie revolves around the trials and tribulations of a gypsy chocolatier. Stop right there, you say, I am of the male species and enjoy beer and football. Well brother I am with you, and I still enjoyed this movie. What it lacks in obligatory violence and chase scenes it makes up for in deepness of mind and character. The theme is unique, the characters lovable, and it would be hard to finish the movie with feeling pretty good about life. So grab a date, get some marshmellows, and brew up a mean cup of hot chocolate. You'll feel good and will probably gain 10 pounds in the next week, but in the process you might be pleasantly surprised with a movie you had predicted would be just a typical "chick flick." Two dark beers raised in the support of the underdog, "Chocolat."

Rating:
Summary: Chocolat
Review: In a time when too many films are produced with no more thought or care than target demographics, with a rigid adherence to the idol worship of a sacred bottom line, it is refreshing that an occasional solid work of film art such as "Chocolat" finds its way to the cineplex. This unassuming and delightful film is a lovingly layered morality tale that unfolds in unexpected ways, never preachy, always entertaining. Few viewers will walk away from this film without feeling at least a little bit better about their lives. A repressionist mindset that seeks little more in life than a numbing stability and a daring gypsy soul embodied in Vianne (Juliette Binoche) who breezes into town and would deny such predictability are co-mingled in a charming French village in the late 1950's. Vianne prepares for her epic contest with conventionality with an irresistable weapon of choice. She opens up a chocolate shop. As Vianne offers a sympathetic ear along with her magical confections, the suspicious villagers one by one begin to shake off a lethargy that has stifled their mundane lives. Of course the Mayor, Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina) is understandably unnerved by this threat to good public order. He is a decent man with honorable intentions but holds to an unrealistic standard of perfection no one could possibly live up to. The battle of wills comes to a head with the unwelcomed arrival of the river people led by Roux (Johnny Depp). An instant attraction that arcs between the nomadic spirit shared of Vianne and Roux complicates things in unexpected ways, and Vianne discovers that she too, is possessed of feelings of vulnerability that are to be dealt with or denied. All of the actors in this beautifully photographed story deliver a polished performance. Judi Dench as always, is terrific. Johnny Depp's work in this film has once again demonstrated a remarkable talent and in my opinion is under-appreciated as one of our finest young actors. This is a wonderfully crafted film, given to voice-over narrative that at times, give it a story book feel. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A very tasty and life affirming confection!
Review: A wonderful movie! The acting, filming, scenery, and music are first class all the way.
I must disgree with prior reviewers who see it as a duel between temptation and morality. It would be closer to say it's a duel between living life and repressing the urge to do so. Neither chocolate nor sex are in any way inherently immoral, and while marriage CAN (and should) be sacred, the contrast between the never-married Vianne and the united-in-the-eyes-of-God Josephine and her husband says more about what's really sacred than any religious doctrine ever could.
It was clear to me that Vianne and Roux are two of the MOST MORAL people in the film! They are loving and nurturing souls, full of life and willing to share (esp. Vianne) what they have with anyone and everyone. Towards the end, when Vianne finds the mayor in a rather compromised position that is in fact invasive and (at least materially) costful to herself, her response is a generous smile and an assurance that she won't tell a soul. This to a man who has from the start intended to drive her out of town, and has demeaned her reputation, even going so far as to forbid interaction with her and have her represented as an agent of Satan in the church sermons!
Who is moral here, and who is not? The mayor is 'god-fearing' and well intentioned (in his own mind at any rate), and obviously a kind man, but he can only extend his goodness to a very limited subset of similar people. Vianne on the other hand offers her gifts generously to everyone (well, maybe not Josephine's husband!) even if they intend her no good. Aside from the unfortunate way she drags her unwilling daughter from place to place I can't think of a single example of non-generous behavior.

The acting is marvelous! The transformation on Judi Dench's face as she sips that first cup of chocolate is absolutely magical. The emotional growth of the boy, of Lena Olin's character, even of the mayor... all wonderful. The supporting cast was uniformly excellent, Leslie Caron, John Wood, Hugh O'Conor and many more too numerous to mention. Alfred Molina carries a difficult role very well, and Johnny Depp too was excellent. I was very impressed by both his taste in music and his ability to perform it himself. Django Reinhardt and Robert Johnson, two of my all time favorites!

And if you'r a chocaholic like me watch out!! You can almost taste it. Bravo!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Ah, the Power of Chocolate!
Review: A charming satire done in the Gallic vein with an outstanding cast. The film is a sheer delight from beginning to end! How wonderful to find a good movie that can be watched by the entire family. I was able to watch this with my 87-year-old mother and not continually wince at the language and be embarrassed. The performances are excellent and the plot is intriguing. There is a commercial that states "Ah, the power of cheese!" Chocolate seems to have that same power in this film. Or rather, chocolat to use the French. "Try it; you'll like it."

Rating:
Summary: Reminicences of Childhood
Review: An excellent film, the storyline is a little weak, but the quality of the actors, especially Juliette Binoche and Dame Judi Dench more than make up for that. Filmed in France and England, (by the way the river was actually a lake in a small village in Wiltshire, England where I played as a child, hence the title of my review)

A most enjoyable film for all the family.

Rating:
Summary: Yummy!!...
Review: This movie is so well made, it is sometimes difficult to remember it was filmed in 2001 and not 1959. It's a mouth-watering experience. Being that I own this movie now, and have seen it 3 or 4 times, I always order chocolate-drizzled brownies from a local restaurant while we watch it. Beware, you don't want to see this one without something sweet.

Vianne(Binoche) and her daughter Anouke, travel with the North winds. On this new journey(in 1959), they land in a small town outside France that seems to be stuck in a time warp.

"Tranquility" , says the town mayer, is the "motto" of his small province. Vianne and her Chocolaterie, bright red shoes, sexy clothes, and illegitimate daughter are exactly what the mayor does not welcome into his quiet little town. Epecially, during Lent.

Vianne still manages to stir up love and lust with her ancient chocolate formulas under the watchful eye of the Mayor. "One bite and you are hooked". Her time in the little moral town is interupted with wonderful characters and new friends. I loved Johnny Depp as the gypsy who lands his riverboat alongside the little town, only to cause distubances amongst the chuch-going frenzy of people. He and Juliet Binoche light up the screen and make a sexy match.

The movie, although a dramatic one, has some outrageous funny moments as well. Dame Judi Dench, one of my favorite actresses, plays the landlord of Vianne's Chocolaterie. Every word out of her mouth is sarcastic and somewhat "dirty"(very reminiscent of her small coveted role in Branagh's "Henry V"). I enjoyed her truthfulness and laughed along with her lines.

It doesn't need to be Valentine's Day for someone to enjoy this delicious movie. Why not buy it and package it with a box of chocolates for your sweetheart.

Rating:
Summary: Haunting
Review: The set and music really made the movie. Juliette Binoche was wonderful as well as Judi Dench (who can do no wrong). The soundtrack is beautifully orchestrated and adds to the movement of the film.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, spirited movie
Review: Before I first saw this movie in French class, I was skeptical. In fact, I expected to sleep through most of it. Chocolate? Come on! We all know what chocolate tastes like... After seeing this movie, you'll never look at the Godiva chocolatier the same way again. To explain this movie would be a waste of time. On must experience this movie themselves, with good expectations.

It turns out to be a great movie, almost like a realistic fairy tale, which gives you a different look at life. It makes you realize all the beautiful things that there are to experience, that most people take for granted, be it love and affection towards others, defiance over your lifelong troubles, or a bite of the most delicious chocolate you have ever tasted. If you can only buy one DVD in the next year, and you have any interest in romantic, whimsicle movies (of chocolate), I among thousandsof other strongly recommend Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

(By the way, this is NOT a remake of the inevitably strange 1989 movie with Francois Cluzet. It is a film adaptation of the novel by Joanne Harris.)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: It has been a while since I saw this movie but it is still with me. I had a wonderful time watching both of the movie's underdogs rise to the village/church challenge.

Rating:
Summary: A sensual, beautiful film
Review: I just finished watching this film for the 3rd time. Wonderful to have the time to watch it by myself this third time. To put all my emotions into it. Juliette Binoche has the appearance of a perfect flower. The acting, the lives of small town studiously religious inhabitants being interrupted by a chocolate shop. A movie to savour with all your senses.