Directed by:
Lasse HallströmScreenplay:
Robert Nelson JacobsCinematography:
Roger PrattComposer:
Rachel PortmanCast:
Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Carrie-Anne Moss, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Hugh O'Conor, Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, Victoire Thivisol, John Wood, Leslie Caron (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Nobody could have imagined the impact that the striking Vianne (Binoche) would make when she arrived in a tranquil, old-fashioned French town. In her very unusual chocolate shop, Vianne begins to create mouth-watering confections that almost magically inspire the straitlaced villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness! But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux (Johnny Depp), arrives in town that Vianne is finally able to recognize her own desires! (Miramax Films)
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Reviews (9)
Lasse Hallström can create a somewhat romantic atmosphere, or a little-town idyll. What was missing in most of films of his that I’ve seen is the necessary emotional power, or perhaps the magic, that can leave a lasting impact on a person. Chocolate is the first one that has somewhat succeeded in this. It is impossible to resist comparing it to the similarly romanticized The Cider House Rules, which, despite its sunny shots and “cute” faces, had almost no emotions and ended up labeled as “overly sweet”. Chocolate is just right, considering its name, it even has a slightly bitter taste at times. Nevertheless, it maintains an irresistibly romantic mood throughout, full of good-hearted individuals of all ages and the fact that a woman's heart can possess the same amount of strength as ten sumo wrestlers.
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At the end, a smile, a craving for something sweet, and the good feelings remain. The most interesting flavors are the surprising way of shooting at arrogant bigwigs, the most delicious and beautiful Juliette Binoche, and the sharpest yet best is the fabulous Johnny Depp. Don't refuse this delicacy, the craving for it tends to return.
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Definitely not a movie to give out free with the purchase of a 3-pack of candy bars... which is how it ended up in my hands. So I put it on, thinking it was a cheap movie. It somewhat surprised me, but really only somewhat. Maybe I'm just biased, which is why I'm going to watch it again. For now, 3.5 stars.
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A nice, sweet, and fragrant film - no surprise, given the abundance of chocolate... Of course, the film can be criticized for being overly polished and having a happy ending; it's evidently a sugary film, but that's Lasse Hallström's style - one shouldn't expect a dark film from him. And every once in a while, it doesn't hurt to indulge in sweets or a romantic film of this kind. Especially when it stars Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp... Overall impression: 85%.
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Chocolat is a small-big European America. The author of the original has French-British roots, while Swedish director Lasse Hallström again uses his favorite actors (Johnny Depp, his own wife - Bergman's Lena Olin) and was soon to also include Judi Dench among his favorites. Everyone was enchanted by Juliette Binoche, but I enjoyed Carrie-Anne Moss much more. The atmosphere of the film foreshadows Amelie, even though it takes place in the French countryside 15 years after the war... Anyway, I find it fascinating that Joanne Harris gradually wrote two more novels about Vianne Rocher.
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