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Chocolat Customer Reviews (46 - 48 of 72 Reviews)

Nice little film...
...that just happens to go on and on for 2 hours and 2 minutes. Considering its relatively simple plot, that's just a bit 2 long for me! :)

CHOCOLAT (2000) is, however, a well-filmed and well-acted story of a young Gypsy-ish French woman named Vianne (wonderfully played by the wonderful Juliette Binoche) and her ten-year-old-ish daughter who breeze (literally) into this small, old-fashioned--and traditionally Catholic--French town and proceed to cause a major stir in the values--and the loins--of many, by opening up a decadent--and mysterious--Chocolatier right in the middle of the solemn period of Lent. This will not do, according to the town mayor (played by veteran British actor Alfred Molina), and an over-protective mother (believably played by Carrie-Ann Moss of THE MATRIX) who scorns her own mother (played by the always-wonderful Dame Judi Dench), whom she considers an infidel--so much so that she won't let her mother anywhere near her own grandson.

So, things basically progress from here [SPOILER ALERT]: Vianne quickly becomes known for her ability to prescribe the 'right' kind of chocolate for each customer as a cure for his/her societal 'ills'. Eventually she comes to 'cure' the entire town, whilst finding true love for herself in the form of Johnny Depp, as an Irish "river rat." The End. :)

Juliette Binoche is glowing throughout, and was deservedly nominated for Best Actress. She makes you believe in her character as someone who possesses special powers to discern what is lurking deeply in people's hearts (I know, that kind of sounded like THE SHADOW, didn't it?). Judi Dench is virtually unrecognizable in her role of an old free-spirit who's lived most of her life in the town as a shunned figure; she was deservedly nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

However, the film is ponderously directed by Lasse Hallstrom, who directed the similarly slow, but superior, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES (1999). This style itself wouldn't have been much of a problem here if the ending weren't so obvious from about the halfway point. As a result, it does become a bit boring. The two best things about CHOCOLAT are: 1) The subtle acting performances from Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, and even hulking Peter Stormare (remember him as the strong, silent kidnapper in FARGO?); and 2) The delicious scenes of chocolate-making, which made me really wishing I had some of those wonderful confections.

Bottom line: Decent film, a bit too long, very well-acted, will make you crave chocolate--bad!!! MODERATELY RECOMMENDED

A Magical Movie For Me and You!
CHOCOLAT is a movie that warms the heart. It has a mystical feeling about it that is generated by the incredible performance of Juliette Binoche (Wuthering Heights, Blue) and the fictional village where her character creates a chocolate shop of magic in a small European town.

It has warmth about the relationship of a strained mother and daughter who spend their time moving from town to town trying to set up shop. A Chocolate shop it was directed by Lasse Hallstrom (The Shipping News, The Cider House Rules) who masterfully makes you, the audience, a part of this film. From the evil towns would be "Mayor" to the towns very own "Mistress" - it has something for everyone to talk about.

This film is soft to the touch and has an incredible amount of humor in it. Including the concept that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. They play that to the hilt. Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hallow) plays the love interest who is the stranger from out of town who is also the bad boy. There is a woman in the story cleverly played by Judy Dench (Shakespeare In Love, Elizabeth, the 4 James Bond movies) who is old and doing everything she isn't supposed and teaches the lessons of life, love and enjoying yourself. It comes at a high price for her in the end.

The story is fun energetic and it is photographed extremely well. It was a charm about it that makes you want chocolate but more, importantly, want to enjoy it to its fullest. The DVD extras include a really good commentary and real detailed documentary on making this fictional town seem very real. This is a good film for the whole family. It has a good simple story and a lot of passion. Just a good feeling type of film...

Yum like Chocolate
This movie is one of the best movies i've seen so far.I actually own the VHS versian but this movie is great and i just watch it again and again.

WARNING:
You will get hungry during the movie so be sure to have some (chocolate)with you when watching

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