Chocolat

Chocolat is a wonderful feel good film. It is based on the book of the same name by Joanne Harris. The two leading characters played by Juilette Binoche (Vianne Rocher) and Johnny Depp (Roux) plus hugely talented supporting cast including Judi Dench (Armande Voizin) really bring to life the story of French provincial life.

Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche play their characters brilliantly against a scenic French village backdrop. The music is suitably mesmerising and the characters very well rounded and credible. Judi Dench is simply masterful as the stoic but secretly wicked grandmother, Amande.

A young mother arrives with her daughter in an old-fashioned French village, and opens a shop selling chocolates with a real difference - and a hidden agenda. The store imbues both wonder and angst within the classical villagers as it opens during the forty days of Lent.

Soon, Vianne's allure and confections enliven a married couple's aphrodisia, encourage an elderly man's secret love, bring rapport with a wilful diabetic, and comfort an awkward woman who longs to leave her drunk and abusive husband. The conservative Mayor of the village then sets himself against Vianne with interesting results. The film has a good strong storyline and some surprises as the villagers give in to temptation, wonderful scenery, believable characters and great supporting actors.

The film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards, 8 BAFTAs, and 4 Golden Globes. It won a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Cinema release 2001

Certificate 12

Available on DVD and Blue Ray