Rating: Summary: A sweet film, no pun intended (wink!) haha I'm so funny from Review: Japan, hahahahahahah I crack myself up, i';m so FREAKIN' witty, i thinl i'm a real reviewer, i spend all my time leaving stupid reviews woo hooo I'm the fujiyama mama
Rating: Summary: Lovely and Enchanting Review: "Chocolat" is a movie based on Joanne Harris's novel of the same name. I recommend experiencing both.This movie is visually stunning with alot of work having been done to perfect the scenery so that the viewer is transported into a quaint little French Town. The musical score is upbeat and passionate which adds a special dimension to the film. Johnny Depp does an excellent job as the gypsy drifter that is greeted with reserve and prejudice by the uptight townspeople. Juliette Binoche plays the single woman with child who blows into town with a wind and leaves it in stiches. She opens a chocolate shop and falls prey to the overly religious mayor of the town because she entices others to sin during lent. I have to say that my favorite character is played by Dame Judy Dench, she is the free spirit of the town refusing in all of her years to be programmed by the rest of the world. She indulges in the delicious chocolate despite being diabetic and scolded by doctors and her own daughter. The chocolate becomes its own character managing to magically cure all of the towns ills if they allow it to work its sweet way into their deepest desires. A sweetly sinful indulgence indeed!!
Rating: Summary: Chocolat et la Vie. Review: It's the most lovely movie in 2001.People who have a good taste will love it definitely.I think it deserves an Academy Award more than that boring Gladiator.J't aime bien,Juliette Binoche.
Rating: Summary: Not My Favorite Review: A cute story. It is worth seeing, but I would not recommend buying it. It is funny and touching at times, but not fabulous.
Rating: Summary: WATCHABLE (SOME DELECTABLE CHOCOLATE HELPS COVER THE HOLES) Review: Movies like these are usually drugged on their own sweetness and are thus painfully predictable. But I guess I was rather pleased with Chocolat, the execution is fine. Juliette Binoche sparkles as usual. Johnny Depp's Irish accent is passably credible. Their chemistry is good, specially in a scene where Juliette swims to protect her daughter. Problem is that once Depp has introduced a parallel to the notion of a stranger upsetting the conservative patterns of a village (which btw is merely to provide a romantic backdrop for Juliette), everything not only becomes preachy but also quite predictable. A wide array of chocolate in all shapes and contours comes to the rescue though, adding a splendid flavor to the screen. But don't bother to ask how such a reclusive, middle-of-nowhere village gets all that cocoa. The subdued religious angle is a bit moronic, it makes organized religion look like a kindergarten tiff. Just because Binoche's character is "different" no one takes easily to her and every kid in town feels comfortable taunting her child at school. What precise religion was this? The final scene with a whole village prancing about at Easter together with vagabonds and gypsies is banal to the hilt. So is the priest's message of tolerance, however praiseworthy it may have been in itself. Come to think, we could probably have done without the gypsy stuff altogether. Anyway, the film is woth seeing if you know what you're getting into and are expecting pseudo-charming fluff. In the same league perhaps as Notting Hill, French Kiss or Sleepless in Seattle.
Rating: Summary: "...relax your intellectual faculties..." Review: All the women I know -many far more bright than I am- liked this movie. (I suspect a rather different attitude to food and the "witch complex" might have something to do with it). I happen to believe that "magical realism" has devolved to a nearly protoplasmic state since Borges: so I liked the movie too, as it reaffirmed my belief. People have mentioned several movies that did the same, but better: dare I add to the (long) list, and suggest "Breaking the Waves" (a good example of how "arty chick flicks" actually can have guts sometimes) or Kubrics "Clockwork Orange" (as it shows the consequences of "Chocolat"s attempt at philosophy)?. Or maybe there just wasnt enough topless scenes. What do I know...
Rating: Summary: All the accolades are deserved. Review: This truely delicious story pits hedonist against stoic, puritain against poet, and passion against piety. It is a battle that still takes place every day in the French countryside, which is infamous for its conservativism. However, this film goes beyond simple conflict to reach into the repressed inner desires of each viewer. Those who are insecure in their faith may find the themes too challenging. For everyone else, this film is a pleasure.
Rating: Summary: Well-Crafted Film Review: Everything about this film was quite wonderful. The acting, cast, location, setting, story. It was all quite charming. Plus, I could not stop smiling at Johnny Depp. He is extremely handsome in this film; the sexiest he has ever looked. Chocolat is delightful and has a way of saying "Sometimes, you shouldn't follow what your heart originally tells you."
Rating: Summary: Completely Charming Review: This was an amazing movie. In one word. Charming. It's a great movie to rent when your not sure what you want but you want it to be good. You get to know the characters in a way that its as if you've lived there your entire live...and Johnny Depp makes for some rather nice eye candy. enjoy.
Rating: Summary: Mixed feelings on this one... Review: On one hand this movie is lush, sensual and beautiful. I thought the director's use of color and symbolism were excellent. Also, the actors perform beautifully and not "over the top" as might be expected. On another level, I had problems with the movie's anti-Catholic stance. I know that this is "just a movie," and I'm not even Catholic, but I definitely see a movement in our society that paints Catholics, Christians, etc. as repressed and in need of "deliverance," no pun intended.
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