Rating: 
Summary: A Benevolent Universe
Review: I just saw Chocolat, one of the highest praised movies of the year. And now I know why it was praised so highly. The acting was spectacular and indeed the music was good. But what made the movie for me, was the way in which the world was depicted. In this movie, and only a precious few others, the world's portrayed benevolently--as a place where the good triumph over the evil, where hard work pays off (in loyal customers for instance), and where justice comes to all in due proportion. Since this is so rare in Hollywood today (even yesterday) I'm giving the movie every possible star I can.
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Summary: Chapters 10 - 18 don't work on my PS2
Review: i keep getting the "unable to read disc" error! :(
Rating: 
Summary: a trifle - but a nice one
Review: "Chocolat" is a winsome fable, more notable, perhaps, for its mood and atmosphere than for its rather hackneyed plotting and timeworn theme. It's true that many viewers may be put off at first by what would appear to be the anti-Christian (particularly anti-Catholic) subtext that seems to run through the story. But, rest assured, the film ends up not attacking religion - merely redefining its terms.The lovely and radiant Juliette Binoche stars as Vianne, a young unwed mother, who, with her charming daughter, enters a small, morally uptight French village in 1959. There, much to the dismay of the rigid and intolerant Roman Catholic mayor, she sets up a chocolateri, during Lent of all times, and proceeds to dispense confections that (as in "Like Water For Chocolate") seem to exert a magical influence on the villagers who partake of them. The chocolate is, of course, a muted metaphor for the eternal conflict that has been waged throughout history between those who view sensual pleasures as "sins" and those who see them as natural and morally neutral human desires. The film certainly comes out foursquare in favor of the latter view, showing the dangers that can result when people become obsessed with repressing their basic human needs and end up isolating those who believe, think or live differently. Vianne, and those who rally to her cause, are viewed as warm and loving free spirits, placed in stark contrast to the mayor and his minions who appear as crabbed, morose and intolerant cretins. But "Chocolat" is less impressive for the story it tells than for the magical mood it weaves thanks to its charming setting, its spirit of sly fun and, above all, the radiance of Binoche, who demonstrates once again that she was truly made for the camera. Despite the rather bizarre clash of accents that results, the film utilizes a vast international cast that includes American Johnny Depp, British Judi Dench, and French Leslie Caron. Like many of the rural French comedies on which it appears to be patterning itself, "Chocolat" seems, at times, as artificial and lightweight as the truffles it features. Yet, even though its message is not exactly original and radical, in this day and age when many religions seem to measure their closeness to God based on how many rules they can make for us to follow and how many groups of people they can manage to keep on the outside, it is nice to be reminded that the purpose of religion is to gather people together into a circle of common humanity. And what better meeting ground than the one truly universal desire we all do share: our unabashed and undying love for chocolate?
Rating:
Summary: Better than any chocolate
Review: This movie was absolutely wonderful. I am not at all surprised that it was nominated for best picture. With wonderful actors and a wonderful and touching story how could this movie Go wrong. A great movie! P.S. It's Chocolat NOT Chocolate
Rating:
Summary: No Chewy Center Inside this Chocolate Fable
Review: 'Chocolat' is like any other fable - it features a message, disguised in something which draws you near so that you can experience the message, and hopefully learn from it. The only problem here is, instead of the "tempting" thing (in this case chocolate) drawing us near and seducing us with its almost magical rejuvenation, we are hit over the head with the "theme" of the picture. But, then again, what exactly *is* the theme? The movie is set in a small French town in the 1950s. It appears to a quiet, almost idyllic little village, where everyone is polite to one another, and the streets are safe. There are, of course, a few not-so-nice things occuring, most notably an appalling wife-beater scenario, and many of the townspeople seem to be suffering from an over-abundance of child-like crushes, but do not have the nerve to act upon them. Apart from the wife-abuse aspect, I found myself enchanted with the village. But I was apparently in the wrong - at least, in the filmmaker's eyes I was. A woman and her daughter come to town. The woman, Caroline (played dryly by Juliette Binoche), sets up a chocolate shop, and it is apparent that her confections contain elements which release the desires within most people. Soon, the crushes become realized, and the abused woman leaves her husband, moving in with Caroline and her daughter. Comte de Reynaud, the head of the town (played well by Alfred Molina), soon becomes suspicious. About an hour into the movie, a river-traveling gypsy named Roux (characterized rather blandly by usually splendid Johnny Depp), arrives, and things go from bad to worse. I suppose the "message", or "theme" of Chocolat, if indeed a message or theme can be discerned, is that you should live life to the fullest, don't hold back. Well, I don't disagree. What I found disturbing was that chocolate was used. The scenes where people were "changed" by its powers were odd, even evocative of being sinful. But nothing wrong went on. All these people did were to realize certain hopes and desires (and not bad ones). I guess what I'm getting at is: This is a French town not very many years after WWII. I'm sure it would *not* have been as repressed as it was, given what they went through with German occupation. None of that is touched upon here. Instead, we are led to believe that they are almost Eden-like, untouched by evil, and that only this traveling "chocolate lady" can save them. The transformation the townsfolk go through is supposed to be oh-so-big, but it really isn't. And I'm sure chocolate wouldn't have been necessary for it to occur. 'Chocolat' isn't really a *bad" movie. The acting, though a little uneven, is pretty fair, the locale pleasant, and the storyline sturdy. It is just the actual "theme" of the storyline which I disagree with. This film was nominated for a 2000 Academy Award for Best Picture. Like I said, it is a fair movie, but NOT worthy of a Best Picture nod. Perhaps some of the Academy members tasted some chocolate and......
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Summary: Too perfect to believe...
Review: The set and camera work are excellent, and the story even decent. The actors, in particular Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, are clearly trying hard to look authentic, but failing. I prefer stories where the actors that woo me into believing that they are not pretending at all, but simply being themselves. Judi Dench is a notable exception, adding some class to the film. She is clearly the most skilled actress of the lot.
Rating:
Summary: Average.
Review: I don't know how the academy picked this fluff over Almost Famous, the best picture of the year. They are definetly slipping. Years ago they would have never put an average "date" movie on their list of nominees. The film starts out interesting and good. It seems mysterious and it's like a disney cartoon only real life. Then you realize it's nothing special and you are dissappointed. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad movie, it just isn't a best picture nominee (neither is Erin Brockovich for that matter).
Rating: 
Summary: Who doesn't love Chocolat?
Review: Lasse Hallstrom's "Chocolat" was the perfect Holiday 2000 movie...a french bon bon of wistful conviviality yet not too sweet to give you a toothache. The plot is a fairy tale with overtones of social commentary (but aren't all fairy tales trying to tell us something deeper?)and as in a fairy tale everything works out in the end. Hallstrom was lucky to get both Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp to play the leads because they add tons of charisma to this slight tale. It is always a pleasure to watch both of these actors because they make such varied and interesting choices in the roles they play. Compare Binoche in this film with her role in "Damage" for example or "Blue." Or Depp in this or in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" or the recent "Blow." These are two of the best actors living today and they give it their all.By doing so we, as the viewers, suspend our disbelief and follow the life of this film with little doubt. Lena Olin and Alfred Molina are standouts among the supporting cast. If you can watch this movie without craving a box of chocolates or some hot chocolate you are a much better person than I. Soft or Chews anyone?
Rating:
Summary: a sweet movie
Review: This movie looked rather dull to me when I first saw the add on tv for it, but after I saw it in theaters, I realized how very wronge I was about it. the message in it for not caring what others think as well as others were wonderful to see. This movie made me LOVE chocolate! Juliette Binoche was adorable in this movie. The music is delightful. I was inclined to want to buy the soundtrack, which I later did and just loved! I would recomend this movie to anyone. It is 5 star to me!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is a wonderful romantic movie that all people can enjoy. It has a flar of comedy and a enjoying story line. Even your boyfriend will like it. There is something for all. Not to mention, the acting by all involved is really well done. Don't miss this movie!!!
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