# Chocolat (2000)

### reviewed by
Brandon Herring

    Chocolat  * * * out of * * * *
    Starring: Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Carrie
    Anne-Moss, Alfred Molina.
    Directed by: Lasse Hollstrom
    Running Time: 121 Minutes
    Rated PG-13: sensuality, some violence.

Comedy, Fable, Story...these three words best describe the delectable "Chocolat", the new film directed by Lasse Hollstrom (1999's The Cider House Rules). There are films out in the world that are just great, but not worthy of Oscar Nominations. In 1999 "The Cider House Rules" took the world by surprise and received an Oscar Nomination, of course even being a fantastic movie, it wasn't a movie that needed an Oscar Nominator. In 2000 "Chocolat" was nominated for Best Picture, and unfairly as well for still being a good movie, it isn't Oscar Material.

The film starts with a prologue of a voice-over of a woman, telling about a small village in France. This is a peaceful, humble village where all the people go to church every Sunday, they all keep their streets clean, and their children all go to a nice school. One Sunday the North wind brought in a chill, but also a surprise, for two new people are moving into this small French Village. Vianne Rooter (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter Anouk Rocher (Victoire Thivisiol) open up a Chocolate shop in this town, and take it by surprise. For Vianne herself puts special ingredients in her chocolat, for such things as sexuality, moodiness, or insomnia. Much despised by the townfolk, especially by the mayor Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), they try to run them out of the village, but of course Vianne stands up for herself and tries to prove that she is not a bad person, but just a different one.

The movie's underlying tone is that of a good message, there are a lot of stereotypes in the film, and the character of Vianne tries to stop that in this town. A feeling of warm and fuzzy overcomes the viewer as the end credits go up, and you are left with a smile on your face and a thought in your head. Lasse Hollstrom's direction is very nicely done, especially in the opening sequence with a nice CGI effect of a camera drop in on the town (which for being described as very small, it actually good size).

The characters are very nicely portrayed by many well-known faces. First up is the French Actress Juliette Binoche (who is nominated for an Oscar for her role, and deservedly so), she is a very beautiful and graceful actress who brings out the best of her character. Dame Judi Dench (who is also nominated for an Oscar) for her role as the cranky landlord of Vianne. Two well known American actors are also involved in this project. Carrie Anne-Moss of "The Matrix" fame, does a great job playing the uptight character of Caroline Claimont (who we find out some interesting tidbits about), and the misplaced character of Roux (played well by Johnny Depp) the pirate type man who almost brings the town to a stop.

"Chocolat" is based on the novel by Joanne Harris, and is written for the screen by Robert Nelson Jacobs. His script is well written, with some clever and witty dialogue that actually had me laughing out loud a couple of times. This isn't your type of comedy where your going to be bent over laughing, but a nice, sweet little comedy where a smile comes over your face and even a laugh here and there.

Even with these good things, "Chocolat" suffers it's share of bad things as well. Besides being somewhat predictable, the characters especially that of Roux are needless, and really just cliched. In my opinion, the film would have been better without him. Also a sequence in which I got so mad I almost left, and then it just turned around of course just messing with our feelings. It may sound like I am ragging on this movie, but believe me I'm not, just a few flaws the movie has. In the end, "Chocolat" is a rewarding experience that I could watch many times, and never get tired of.

Reviewed by Brandon Herring 2/25/01.

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