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Chocolat - 1/5/01 - PG-13 - 121m
Juliette
Binoche - Vianne
Alfred Molina - Comte de Reynaud
Johnny Depp - Roux
Director: Lasse Halström
Screenplay by: Robert Nelson Jacobs
JEF
Make sure to have some pieces of chocolates around...
- DVD REVIEW
Well, it took me long enough
to finally get to see this movie. It had always been one that I was curious
to see, and picked it up many times off the local rental shelf, but always
seemed to put it back for something else. But after seeing it the other
night, I’m really glad I saw this movie. Yes, It’s what I
would call a “Chick-flick”. No gun fights, No car chases,
etc… But I admit it - I still liked this drama.
Storyline: The movie opens in a small town in France,
around 1960. This is one of those picture perfect quaint towns that never
seems to age. A town you would see on a travel show about France. This
small town, as with most small towns has its collection of characters.
This is where the movie really starts to get interesting. We are introduced
to the towns people, like the Mayor, the local pub owner, the widows,
the clergy, etc. And each one of these characters really comes to life
on screen. The town is rooted in religion, and everyone putting up a “proper”
front. Then into town come two travelers… Vianne (Juliette Binoche)
and her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) and they rent out a small storefront,
and apartment above. Vianne opens a Chocolate shop. Now Vianne is quite
a character as well, full of life and fire, a strong independent woman,
who is not afraid to go head to head in a battle of wills with the Mayor
of the town the Comte de Reynaud (excellently played by Alfred Molina).
Slowly the town is torn with their curiosity of trying out the new woman’s
chocolates, and during lent no less. Vianne slowly becomes established
despite the Mayor’s attempts to keep his “loyal” townsfolk
from entering her shop through rumors and gossip. Although her shop seems
to be succeeding she is still much of an outcast, and seems to attract
other outcasts. To add to the drama unfolding in town, along comes the
“river-rats”, a band of gypsy’s traveling along the
river in their houseboats. One of these men is Roux (Johnny Depp). Who
becomes interested in Vianne. The movie continues to explore all the various
interactions of these seemingly different townspeople, all centered around
the gourmet chocolates of Vianne.
This movie was like a classic fairytale almost. The storyline if you looked
at it from a distance appears to be like many other movies. But it’s
in the details and the terrific acting of the various characters that
really separates this movie from the rest. It has all the elements of
a good movie as well… Good storyline, comedy, romance, quirky characters,
a period piece, etc… The filming of the movie was great as well.
The use of color was well done too, Vianne almost always had on a bright
pink, or fiery red shirt, or dress, or shawl, which contrasted with the
drab colors of the townsfolk, also hinting at the fire contained within
this woman’s spirit. Actually, some of the metaphors were a little
too transparent, or overdone. It was borderline clichés at times,
but still this would be a minor detail.
All in all, this was a fun movie to watch. If you’re a fan of characters
(like I am), I think you’ll really like this.
As for the DVD, the deleted scenes were only a few, with no explanations
on why they were deleted. (Actually some of the scenes, I think should
have been included, it would have helped explain a few points in the movie).
The extra feature on the making of Chocolat was interesting to watch as
well.
A definite green light film. Make sure to rent this movie if you have
not seen it.
Jef