When mysterious stranger Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her spirited daughter arrive in a tranquil French town in the winter of 1959, nobody could have imagined the impact they would have on this old-fashioned, buttoned up community. Within days, she opens a very unusual chocolate shop, filled with mouthwatering confections. Her uncanny, almost magical ability to perceive her customers' private desires and satisfy them with just the right confection coaxes the villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness. But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux, arrives in town that she is finally able to recognize her own desires.
It is the late 1950s, but it might as well be the late 1850s in a small French town where everyone behaves as they should (supposedly), and attends church regularly. When a strong North wind blows through town, it brings the vivacious and mysterious Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol). Vianne is soon the talk of the town: an unwed mother who declines to go to church and opens up a chocolate shop in the midst of Lent. Her good-natured, honorable personality and psychic ability (she can predict what kind of sweets best suit each person, and magically cures each of them of their particular maladies) make her as irresistible as her delectable treats. However, Vianne and her daughter are resented by the conservative mayor, the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), and by the pious Caroline (Carrie-Anne Moss), who has disowned her own spirited mother (Judi Dench, who plays Vianne's landlady), refusing the elderly woman access to her beloved grandson.This touching fairy tale, based on the novel by Joanne Harris, was filmed on location in rural France. An intelligent, exquisitely filmed fable that deals with the idea of 20th Century paganism rising up against a closed-minded church and a persevering aristocracy, CHOCOLAT is enjoyable, romantic, and entertaining, with affecting performances by both its stars and its supporting actors (Lena Olin and Johnny Depp.)
Theatrical release: December 15, 2000 (NY).
CHOCOLAT was filmed in France and in Shepperton, England.
Actress Lena Olin is married to director Lasse Hallström.
Paul Clinton of CNN.com named CHOCOLAT one of the 10 best films of 2000.
Robert Nelson Jacobs won the Best Adapted Screenplay award of 2000 from the San Diego Film Critics Society.
According to Mitchell Fink of the New York Daily News, Vice President Al Gore saw the film and told Miramax head Harvey Weinstein, "What inspired me about the film is how it infuses a spirit of tolerance with the joy of life. And tolerance, of course, is a message that is especially important for our times."
Chocolat Reviews:
"...As fudge-y as advertised....[Binoche is] luscious..."-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
"...A radiant central performance from Juliette Binoche and appealing supporting turns from Judi Dench and Johnny Depp....The film is beautifully shot..."-- John Mount, Sight and Sound
"...[CHOCOLAT has] many pleasures. It's often very funny and the town looks a treat, a sort of Neverneverland that lends the movie a fairytale quality..."
-- Demetrios Matheou, Total Film
"...CHOCOLAT is as delectable as its title....It emerges as a splendid work in the grand humanist tradition of the classic cinema of France..."
-- Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Excellent Movie Good acting. Good story. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to curl up with a hot cocoa. Submitted by eternity (Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
We loved it! This is probably the best movie we've seen all year! It combines good values, great acting, humor, and thinking outside the box. This is worth adding to your collection! Submitted by a reviewer (Michigan, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
my review Excellent movie. Submitted by disspec98 (waterbury, ct) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Romance and chocolates go hand-in-hand How long has it been since we've seen a heart-warming romance?...I don't mean in a sitcom, but with a brilliant ensemble.
This is definitely director Lasse Halstrom's picture, and it's all the better for his touch. // I almost avoided this picture due to lukewarm reviews, but now that seems unjustified. It's about learning some tolerance and unbending enough to let love into your life. Who needs more? Submitted by a reviewer (Shelbyville, TN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Mmmmm Chocolate This is a wonderful movie with drama and comedy. Just be sure to have some chocolate on hand while watching it . I have seen this movie many times and love it more each time. Submitted by Pat (Michigan , USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Region 1 Keep Case Letterbox - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes Audio Commentary: Lasse Hallstrom - Director, David Brown - Producer, Kit Golden - Producer, Leslie Holleran - Producer Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer Featurette:
1. "The Making of CHOCOLAT" 2. "The Costumes of CHOCOLAT" 3. Production Design Featurette Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access
Romance and chocolates go hand-in-hand
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