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Reviews
Chocolat (2000)
A film that excels at guessing your favorite.
Chocolat, like its rich, creamy namesake, is charming, and satisfying. Given the billing of actors, and the film's director (Lasse Hallstrom of The Cider House Rules) and production team (the Weinstein brothers), one would expect the film to be well put-together, and it is.
Judi Dench is, as always, impeccable. She surely is one of the most naturally- gifted actors to grace the screen. Juliette Binoche carries her part consistently, however, there were brief flashes when I thought she looked a little too forced in the role of benevolent chocolatier.
I personally felt that it was the work of the supporting actors that stole the show: The aforementioned Judi Dench; Alfred Molina as the Comte who controls the town, but, in the end, cannot control himself; Lena Olin as the kicked-while-she's-down wife; Johnny Depp, sublimely heavenly as the "river rat"/love interest and who could forget Victoire Thivisol as the guileless daughter Anouk.
These actors bring a quality to this film, yet I felt that some moments in the movie were a little contrived and erring slightly on corny- for example *spoiler* Towards the end of the film, the scene in which several brave townspeople band together to help make chocolate treats for an upcoming festival seems designed to stir up "warm fuzzies" inside viewers. Also, it sometimes seems as if Vienne fixes the lives of the villagers a little too quickly and neatly- which is why this film could be seen as attempting to pander to an audience that wishes to be fulfilled in an uplifting, satisfying way.
This film was also marketed as a comedy, and the first half fits the bill perfectly. Naturally, it's not a laugh-a-minute, but there are many funny lines that make you giggle.
OK, so it can be a little corny at moments. However, as Chocolat progresses, issues such as acceptance, tolerance, the breaking of archaic tradition, and the finding of inner strength, particularly in women, are well explored.
All in all, Chocolat is a fine film that will be enjoyed by many people, almost as satisfying as their favorite chocolate treat.