Chocolat (2000)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Joanne Harris (based on the novel by)
Robert Nelson Jacobs (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A comic fable from the director of "The Cider House Rules".

Plot:

A woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community.

Plot Keywords:

Chocolate | France | Lent | 1960s | Single Mother

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Alfred Molina	...	Comte de Reynaud
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Caroline Clairmont
Aurelien Parent Koenig	...	Luc Clairmont (as Aurèlien Parent Koenig)
Antonio Gil	...	Jean-Marc Drou (as Antonio Gil-Martinez)
Hélène Cardona	...	Francoise Drou
Harrison Pratt	...	Dedou Drou
Gaelan Connell	...	Didi Drou
Elisabeth Commelin	...	Yvette Marceau
Ron Cook	...	Alphonse Marceau
Guillaume Tardieu	...	Baptiste Marceau
Hugh O'Conor	...	Pere Henri
John Wood	...	Guillaume Blerot
Lena Olin	...	Josephine Muscat
Peter Stormare	...	Serge Muscat
Leslie Caron	...	Madame Audel

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sensuality and some violence.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (Certificate No. 37889) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Chile:14 | Denmark:A | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Beynac, Dordogne, France

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

According to the audio commentary on the DVD, the storyteller in the film is Tatyana Yassukovich. It isn't until one of the last scenes that you realize she is supposed to be the adult Anouk. It was debated about having a well known celebrity take this role, however in the end they decided that would take away from the power of the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Vianne and Roux are in the river, the two change (between shots) from Vianne facing away from shore with Roux's arm across her chest to Vianne facing towards the shore with Roux's arm around her shoulders.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Storyteller: Once upon a time, there was a quiet little village in the French countryside, whose people believed in Tranquilité - Tranquility. If you lived in this village, you understood what was expected of you. You knew your place in the scheme of things. And if you happened to forget...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Sweets and Sour Marge (#13.8)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Minor Swing

Mmmm, Mmmm, Good!

I had heard all the rave reviews, saw the number of Oscar nominations this flick received but still wasn't convinced it was a movie I'd like. I want to kick myself now for waiting this long to see it! Yes, I forsook the big screen for the video but I wasn't disappointed a bit.

Chocolat is a wonderful movie. It deals with real issues that people face. The characters are believable because they have flaws. They've got inward struggles which makes this film even better. It's a story of the human condition and how even deep prejudices can be overcome by the simple act of kindness and the willingness to strive for individuality.

I have to admit the only reason I wanted to watch this movie at first was because of Johnny Depp. I have to say I loved his performance as Roux. I wished the writers would've done more with his character but what we did get to feast on was incredible. Juliette Binoche was also incredible as Vianne and the chemistry between all the actors was great.

I would recommend Chocolat. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? It's great to see there are still film makers out there that have a sense of humanity. Chocolat is all of that and more.

Chocolat was indeed Mmmm, Mmmm, good!!