Chocolat

Rating:
Summary: Attack on Morality of Self Denial; Celebration of Pleasure
Review: I always like movies with a philosophical message that are also good drama and "Chocolat" falls into that category.
Juliet Binoche moves into a very religious, self denying French town and sets up a Chocolate shop. She has a knack for knowing that special chocolate treat that will make a person's mouth water and bring a smile to their face. And she is committed to helping people in this town to enjoy themselves more. Johnny Depp plays her bad boy love interest.
I had to rent this movie when I found out that Leonard Peikoff, the prominent Objectivist (Ayn Rand) philosopher praised the movie as "the best movie I've seen in decades" (Ayn Rand Bookstore Catologue, Fall 2001). I personally like the movies philosophic message and I was engrossed watching it but it seemed a bit formulaic to me in that it was fairly predictable and there were no real fireworks, at least for me. Peikoff is going to love it because it is an attack on Christianity, or certain aspects or interpretations of Christianity, but Christianity has been attacked plenty so it's not like this is an original and unprecedented critique.
I would definitly recommend the movie though it needed a little more "boo yah" for me to say that it's a must see or one of my all time favorites.


Rating:
Summary: Rich and Creamy
Review: It begins on a cold winter day when strong winds blow a beautiful wanderer (Juliette Binoche) and her illegitamate child into a fridgid town. She opens up a seductive chocolate shop that shocks and infuriates the town mayor and most of the local residents. Obsessed with moderation, the mayor is determined on driving her and her Chocolate shop out of the town (which initially backfires). However, before his plans can take full effect, the stranger warms up the townspeople's cold spirits with smiles and the seemingly magic chocolate. She happily chips away the ice that surrounds the town until a handsome gypsy comes her way. This makes her think twice about her constant need to travel and resistance to belonging. It ends deliciously, and gives you a fabulous feeling.

Chocolat is a dreamy and sweet movie that I thoroughly enjoyed watching. It was beautifully filmed, and the acting was fantastic. Juliette Binoche was charming and beautiful, and even though he had a fairly small role, Johnny Depp was gorgeous and sported awesome Irish accent. This movie is pretty funny at times too! I loved the priest (a young admirer of Elvis) and thought he was so cute - the mayor controlled him so far as to rewrite his sermons.

The only thing I didn't really like in Chocolat was that it promoted sensuality. Sure, you should certainly enjoy life, and a little pleasure in chocolate won't hurt anyone, but moderation is not bad. According to the mayor, someone who fasts and pracitces intense moderation is better than a friendly, kind "sinner". I don't agree with that. You should be more unselfish than self-indulgent. I won't give the movie too much rap, though, for the main character is giving.

ANYWAY, I loved the music and thought the movie was simply delightful. Definitely worth seeing.

Rating:
Summary: Those who have read the novel will likely be disappointed...
Review: I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed Joanne Harris's novel Chocolat. I thought that viewing the film version would be a way to share this wonderful, rich story with my boyfriend, but I was sorely disappointed!

I realize that when a film version of a novel is made, there always have to be some changes. Yet it is possible to stay true to the novel's characters, plot, themes, etc. in the film. This was not the case with the film version of Chocolat. I don't want to give away too much...but significant changes are especially noticable in the central characters, Vianne and Reynaud. The ending of the movie is almost totally different as well. Be warned - Chocolat has practically become a different story!

Overall, the characters and plot just did not seem developed enough to make this a satisfying movie. I would highly recommend reading the novel instead!

Rating:
Summary: Hastings Customers all talking about shock-o-lot
Review: I have not seen this movie, and just based on the photo on the cover, I do not intend to ever watch this movie. I have overheard people at the video store pointing to the box and saying how disappointed they were. And they all pronounce it shock-o-lot, like they're French or something. I guess that's how the name is supposed to be pronounced, because that's the way all the people at Hastings were saying it. I just thought it was pronounced chok-let, like hershey's chok-let or cadburys chok-let, but they were all saying shock-o-lot. And almost all of them said they were disappointed in the movie, so I don't think I'll be renting it. Also, the photo on the box - it just looks like it's going to be bo-ring.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Story
Review: This movie is one of my absolute favorites. I admit the first time I saw it, I enjoyed it but wasn't ready to run out and buy my own copy. Once I bought the DVD though, I was enchanted by the story. I have seen this movie over 3 times now and am still fascinated by it. It is a very simple story but very gratifying. It is filled with clues about life and the powerful human being inside people. You will walk away from it ready to make a change in the world, for the better! Give it a chance, you will love it.

Rating:
Summary: A great film, and a great DVD!
Review: The DVD picture quality brings the beautiful scenery to life and the music has great and subtle qualities. "Chocolat" is one of the reasons for having DVD technology.

Chocolat is a subtle comedy that shows the failings and greatness in all of us, with a subtext calling for the inclusion of the suppressed and the healing of wounds imposed by repressive societal precepts.

Great story, delightful whimsy, great acting from a deep cast of fine actors, enchanting scenery, interesting costumes, beautiful setting (ancient French village of Flavigny), wonderful intertwining of great character stories, and, of course, "chocolat" sensually and enticingly presented!

The DVD Bonus Materials are also great!

The Director / producer, etc. commentary is delightful, enlightening, and generous. The "making of Chocolat" gives us a wonderful insight into the real people behind the acting facades, and some of the fun they had in making the movie. Also, the "Costumes" and "Production Design" are interesting.

No real action scenes, so this movie isn't for action fans, but is great for warm cuddling with your lover, or significant other.

If there s a downside, the first half hour is a little slow because it took so long to set up the characters and their issues also, Johnny Depp's character comes into the movie rather late. But, the scenery and the interesting and unique story is solid enough to carry the audience through this development without notice.

Rating:
Summary: The Power of Chocolat
Review: First of all, reviewer Jeremy Heilman must have gone into watching the film with a bad attitude or something. He missed the point of the entire movie. Anyway...

You can read the other reviews to get a synopsis of the film. This is a very understated movie, it doesn't "jump" out at you and grab you by the throat. and that's a good thing. It's a gentle telling of tolerance, personal growth and kinship with others. I am Catholic, and I did not find it offensive. You cannot blame the Church for its doctrines or methods, only the people using them for their own gain or ideas to thrust upon others that do not see it the same way.

Vianne tempts the townspeople by letting them come to her, not going to them. The chocolate she makes resurrects what is deep within all of us, waiting to reappear after being beaten down by overbearing people or life. A great story told exceptionally well.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous
Review: I have returned mostly to classic books and films because I have tired of rehashed modern themes. However, Chocolat is one film I have seen lately that has not left me depressed or thinking the movie industry has lost the ability to create anything but a way to make money. Chocolat's lessons are positive, despite some negative characters and occurrences. It is simply a great story, told well. Warning: If you are buying the DVD to watch at home for the first time, have some chocolate in the house. If you are a chocolate lover, the sumptuous confection scenes will affect you!

Rating:
Summary: A great emotional lift.
Review: Lasse Hallstrom's film version of the Joanne Harris' novel Chocolat is as delightful a confection as were the heroines' chocolate creations themselves. The plot is intricate and intriguing, carrying the viewer through the emotional transformations of each of the main characters. In a sleepy medieval French town where life has assumed a repressive structure that has created an emotionally frozen and empty life for even the most highly placed members of its society, the heroine Vianne and her daughter arrive to set up a chocolate shop. With her wonderfully concocted sweets she manages to liberate some of the denizens of the town, revealing their potential for greater happiness. The story has a sense of myth, fantasy, and fairytale about it that leaves the viewer with a feeling of personal satisfaction.

This is a film full of strong female performers. Judi Dench is especially wonderful as a curmudgeonly elderly woman estranged from her daughter and forbidden to see her grandson. Juliette Binoche does a fine job as the heroine. She is as fragile and seductive as Monroe in some scenes and as forceful and independent as Bacall in others. Lena Olin is wonderful as the abused wife who rises from the confusion and ashes of her own ruined personality like a phoenix under the influence of the heroine.

This is one of the best movies I've seen in a ling while, and I expect to order and read the book upon which it was based--something I rarely do.

Rating:
Summary: Richly textured and thought provoking
Review: "Chocolat" is a film with a story as richly textured as the confections sold by Vianne in her Chocolaterie. It is a story of many layers that appears to be one flavor on the outside, but changes as the confection dissolves in our psyche. On its face, it is a story about an endless drifter named Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter Anouk, who take up residence in a small French town in the 1950's and open a Chocolate shop right in the middle of Lent. However, once the initial layer melts away we realize that this is not a story about Vianne, but really a story about the town and its people.

Vianne is more of a catalyst to the stories around her than a story unto herself. Ironically, Binoche is a lead actor in a supporting role despite having the camera on her most of the time. If there is one consistent theme that runs through the film it is one of reconciliation. Prior to Vianne's arrival, several of the townspeople had survived in a kind of stasis, with unresolved issues never addressed or confronted. Vianne is the straw that stirs the drink and brings various issues into the open to be examined and resolved.

The film has a strong feminist subtext, which is not objectionable by itself, but too often becomes strident and preachy. Of greater value is the subtle message that provincial ignorance is well served by exposure to new and non-conforming ideas (Vianne and Roux) and that the forces that promote ignorance and conformity out of fear of change (Comte de Reynaud) are no match for the power of knowledge and the freedom to exercise it. In this way, the film is very uplifting and relevant despite its folksy telling.

As he did with "The Cider House Rules", Lasse Hallstrom lets the story dominate the screen, bringing us well developed character studies without excessive directorial stylizing. Hallstrom's strength lies in character interpretation and in guiding the actors to broaden and deepen their portrayals. This is clearly evident here.

Juliette Binoche gives a wonderful performance that earned her a best actress nomination from the Academy. Judy Dench continues to make great acting a routine, garnering her third best supporting actress nomination for her role. Lena Olin gives a standout performance as the battered wife struggling to regain her self esteem. Alfred Molina is also excellent as the oppressive mayor trying to pull the strings of the townspeople in a desperate attempt to maintain the status quo.

This is a terrific film with numerous thought provoking subthemes. While it is not a powerful film, it is a substantial film. I rated it 9/10. It is a delight for the thoughtful and intelligent viewer who enjoys a well developed human drama.