Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series)
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Movie Reviews of Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series)
Movie Review: Semi-Sweet
Summary: 3 Stars
A religious, small town in the French countryside receives newcomers Vianne (Juliette) Binoche and her daughter. They come dressed in red, and soon open a chocolate shop across from the church on the first week of Lent. Scenes of townspeople in confession describing the delicious chocolates are meant to be titillating. Chocolate treats from the new shop is described sensually with double-meaning, including sex and other sins of enjoyment.
The mayor launches a campaign to get rid of the new chocolate shop that is causing so much excitement in this once sleepy little village. Then the children see "pirates" along the river and Vianne's daughter runs to her mother announcing the landing of the swarthy crew. It is a band of Irish river people and headed by a handsome Roux (Johnny Depp - who plays pirates well). The beautiful Vianne and the handsome Roux become romantic as they understand each other as outsiders and agents of change for all they touch.
"Chocolat" is a sweet movie, but trite in that it suggests that all a person needs to liberate their soul, forget all the wrongs done to them, and become happy is a piece of candy. There is a "leave it to Beaver" feel to the movie - too perfect, and the dialogue is often boring. Judi Dench plays a role as a local diabetic who does not want to give in to her disease. She keeps eating the sweets and enjoying life despite her critical condition. I felt pain in all the actors trying to keep a French accent going - it did not come naturally for most in the film.
Overall, enjoyable and more of a "chick flick" with a sweet chocolate shop princess and a swarthy pirate to bring it to a Disney ending.
Movie Review: Getting impatient with fake Irish
Summary: 2 Stars
This movie seems to be universally loved, and the cinematography is lush, but the pace thunked to a halt for us with the appearance of Johnny Depp. Maybe it is his unconvincing Irish accent, but a slow, charming film became self-conscious and unwatchable when he showed up as, for Pete's sake, an Irish "river rat." We like Depp but he seems out of place. (For a wonderful, also slow, but unerring Lasse Hallstrom film, consider 'An Unfinished Life'.) On the plus side, the preparation and serving of chocolate is done beautifully; the skills of the director and cinematographer in this regard are wonderful.Movie Review: Chocolat
Summary: 5 Stars
Interesting romantic film dealing with unsavory aspects of human nature while maintaining a positive feel - a rare thing that! This is a "feel good" movie that I would recomment highly. So highly that this was purchased as a gift!Movie Review: A sweet delightful treat
Summary: 4 Stars
Tragically, Johhny Depp has only a small role in this film. But, what a fine role it is. Alright, so he doesn't necessarily make the movie, Juliette Binoche is fantastic too, as well as the rest of the supporting cast. They all do a great job of portraying what life was probably like in a small French village, in that time period. It seems like every character is hiding some little secret. Its a great mix of mystery and romance and even a little bit of fantasy. This refreshing movie should be seen by all chocolate lovers, and even non-lovers!Movie Review: Would you like to come in for some chocolate?
Summary: 5 Stars
Can there ever be a true balance between Reason and Passion? Is it even worth the time generations of philosophers and thinkers have devoted to the subject? Lasse H?llstrom makes a beautiful cinematic fable out of this endless human dilemma in "Chocolat". A wonderful, moving (and surprisingly fun) movie to watch. Not only it features a great and magnificently-ensembled multinational cast which includes Johnny Depp, Carrie-Ann Moss, Lena Olin and even divine Judi Dench. It is the subtle, heart-felt approach the director manages to convey to such a deep and thick story line. It makes us think and reflect on how Humanity deals with changes and innovation as opposed to rigidness and prejudice-filled attitudes within the often stiff and unmovable boundaries of wrongfully implemented morality schemes. Vianne Rocher (beautifully portrayed by Juliette Binoche) is a sort of magic-embedded "Mary-Poppins" with exotic roots, who travels along towns establishing impromptu chocolat stores, along with her young daughter Anouk. This time the cool northern wind brings her to the little French villa of Lansquenet, where life appears to have not changed a bit in a hundred years. She opens a chocolate store much to the dismay of the self-procclaimed town's moral police (Count de Renaud, played by Alfred Molina). But rather than challenging the rigid and linear morality parameters in town by way of sensuous and forbidden pleasures, Vianne and her tiny little chocolate place in reality will slowly (but fiercely) establish a much needed paradise of simple and plain tolerance for the villagers. She will start winning the town over not only with her magic recipes for the most delicious chocolate treats, but also with her honest and sincere ways for dealing with the everydays of human nature and understanding of real people. This movie is just a treat. Indulge yourself in some rich chocolate. I bet you'll like it.