Chocolat is the story of Vianne, a lonely traveller who wonders from place to place with her young daughter Anouk. When they find themselves in s small French town, Vianne decided to open up a chocolatiere, but her small business causes huge ripples throughout the Catholic villagers. Is she ... Read review
Chocolatis an enchanting, moving and heart-warming tale of love and temptation, a ... more
big-budget movie with its roots in European art house cinema. Magical and almost fairytale-like in theme, it's the story of the mysterious Vianne and her arrival in a qui...
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Chocolatis an enchanting, moving and heart-warming tale of love and temptation, a ... more
big-budget movie with its roots in European art house cinema. Magical and almost fairytale-like in theme, it's the story of the mysterious Vianne and her arrival in a qui...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actress (Juliet Binoche) ... more
and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) 'Chocolat' is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director of 'The Cider House Rules'. Nobody could...
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Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliette Binoche - ... more
The English Patient), and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench - Shakespeare In Love). Chocolat is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director o...
An amazing double-bill for lovers of all-things Depp! Finding Neverland (Dir. Marc Foster ... more
2004): Unlock your imagination... Finding Neverland is a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of Peter Pan author James Barrie. Set in London 1904 the film is a fictional account of Barrie's creative struggle to bring Peter Pan to life from his first inspiration up until the play's premiere - a night that will change not only Barrie's own life but the lives of everyone close to him. Chocolat (Dir. Lasse Hallstrom 2001): Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actress (Juliet Binoche) and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) 'Chocolat' is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director of 'The Cider House Rules'. 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 straight-laced 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 recognise her own desires.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (Dir. John Madden) (2001): In keeping with Hollywood's ... more
time-honored tradition of turning celebrated novels into cinematic spectacles director John Madden brings Louis de Berniere's acclaimed 1994 work 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' to life. Set on the Greek island of Cephalonia in 1940 the film tells the story of the beautiful Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) who lives with her father Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) and is engaged to local fisherman Mandras (Christian Bale). When Mandras leaves the island to fight for his country against the approaching German army Pelagia is left behind to worry and wait for a letter which never arrives. In the meantime the Italian army occupies Cephalonia and Pelagia and Dr. Iannis receive a new visitor into their home. Captain Antonio Corelli (Nicolas Cage) a romantic opera lover with a passion for playing the mandolin annoys Pelagia with his free-spirited personality but it is this charm that eventually wins her heart. Soon the two are head-over-heels in love only for Mandras to return... Chocolat (Dir. Lasse Hallstrom) (2001): Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actress (Juliet Binoche) and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) 'Chocolat' is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director of 'The Cider House Rules'. 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 straight-laced 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 recognise her own desires.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Tempting, Wonderful Performances, Great Looks, Passable Story Disadvantages: Shallow, A Little Fake,
Chocolat is the story of Vianne, a lonely traveller who wonders from place to place with her young daughter Anouk. When they find themselves in s small French town, Vianne decided to open up a chocolatiere, but her small business causes huge ripples throughout the Catholic villagers. Is she some sort of witch? When Vianne starts to make friends with the abused Josephine and persuades her to get away from her aggressive husband people see that as ... ...on….
Chocolat requires you to suspend your disbelief maybe a little bit too much and for more cynical viewers it may be a torturous cinematic experience; with its mushy romantic edge, rather serendipitous occurrences and the idea that chocolate can change peoples lives. But, if you are prepared to stick with it you will find a gentle, affectionate, warmly crafted little drama/romance which has some pretty important things to say. ... more
Chocolat is the story of Vianne, a lonely traveller who wonders from place to place with her young daughter Anouk. When they find themselves in s small French town, Vianne decided to open up a chocolatiere, but her small business causes huge ripples throughout the Catholic villagers. Is she some sort of witch? When Vianne starts to make friends with the abused Josephine and persuades her to get away from her aggressive husband people see that as another sign that she is out to make trouble. With the parish leader planning to close her business and Irish travellers entering the town, the residents have to face their morals and ideas head on….
Chocolat requires you to suspend your disbelief maybe a little bit too much and for more cynical viewers it may be a torturous cinematic experience; with its mushy romantic edge, rather serendipitous occurrences and the idea that chocolate can change peoples lives. But, if you are prepared to stick with it you will find a gentle, affectionate, warmly crafted little drama/romance which has some pretty important things to say. It's a story about how good people can make a difference, how nobody deserves to be judged and how a little energy and resourcefulness can change a whole town. It's an idealist film, but the films pleasures don't come in its moral messages, or its often blatant button pressing, they come in the small attentions to detail; in its warmness, its life and humanity. The film works as a dream like alternative to the realism that faces the town; this allows the films powerful themes to seep through the sweet vanilla fog that makes up the movie, without tainting the idyllic tales innocence. One of the main selling points of the movie is its French rural setting, which gives the film an intimacy and lightness; the cobbled streets, crooked buildings and fiery villages hark to a part in all of us that wants to get back to the way 'it was'. I will admit that I was expecting more when I sat down to watch this, and I was a little disappointed that the film didn't leave a lasting impression, but taken for what it is, it remains a tempting, involving and good natured example of enchanting story telling.
The most disappointing thing about Chocolat for me was its inability to make me really feel for its characters, I never felt I was going on a journey with them, rather just watching them travel through their lives. I was very conscious that I was watching a film, and had this nagging feeling throughout that everything was a bit superficial, the film never emerged as truly realistic or ever completely engaging. I just felt it took itself just a step too far into hippy dippy romanticism and the second half lost the reality that made the first hour so entertaining. The problems start to arrive with Depp's Irish traveller; he changes the dynamic of the story and stops the steady flow the film builds up. This character is badly developed, underwritten and his relationship with Vianne feels contrived and unconvincing. I didn't care about their romance and found myself much more interested in the fate of Josephine and her friends than Vianne -this didn't happen when I read the book- which is a shame because up until the half way point she proved to be a most witty and enthralling leading lady. Also the novelty begins to wear a bit thin after a while; there are only so many ways you can use chocolate as a metaphor and the screenplay becomes a bit repetitive and plodding towards the end. However it does reach a pleasing enough conclusion that isn't very original and extremely predictable but rounds the film off in a pleasant and uplifting way.
Where Chocolat does work is the places where it simply is just itself, when it examines the ordinary, everyday things; Vianne pouring a mug of spicy cocoa, the women laughing, Josephine learning to create chocolates, Anouk playing with her friends. Yes, Chocolat is at its best when it is 'nice' it doesn't need to take on heavy subjects or challenge morals, it needs to be about living and loving which fortunately for the most part it is. When the film is at its best it really makes a case for itself as one of the most seductively charming dramas of the decade, it has poise and elegance, humour and wit with an easy confidence and wry intelligence that puts it far ahead of most others in its genre. It perfectly mixes rural French sensibilities with more polished Hollywood product, keeping the pleasing quietness and allure of French filmmaking with the accessibility and sheen of contempory Hollywood. This works as it gives the story more credibility and substance and it also allows for the kind of nostalgia that will make audiences forget about the films flaws, if this is your kind of thing, if you revel in old world/French/post war dramas then there is more than enough here for you to like. The setting is quaint and richly recreated; the cinematography has a real feeling of authenticity, the pace is slow but gentle enough to keep fans interested and its nostalgic atmosphere will no doubt place this of many people list of favourite films.
I can't help but think Chocolat is a little too easy. Characters do dreadful things and find their redemption just a little bit too freely and quickly, damaged people going through pain but see the light within the space of a few hours, the whole story feels a little bit too idealistic and paint by numbers. Some may argue that this is part of the films magic, but I just saw it as laziness and felt cheated by the characters ultimate development, everything ends just a little bit too neatly. However there are enough plot twists in the screenplay to keep people engaged and the characters are interesting enough to make you invest in them. The screenplay has some rich dialogue and the interaction between the main players is always the highlight of all the scenes, you get a real sense that the scriptwriters put a lot of effort into the words of Chocolat, each sentence sounds just right and each response meticulously crafted, it is a shame then they don't contribute to a stronger story arc. In paying so much attention to the little things the script writers start to loose grip on the more substantial elements of the plot, it all gets pulled from underneath them by the last frame.
Juliette Binoche is wonderful as Vianne; she is gorgeous and has a real screen presence and poise, she has star quality and a ferocious talent that drives all her performances. Here she really shows the strength and confidence that make her role such a successful character, Binoche portrays warmth and humanity with a lot of gusto. She really des light up the screen with her infectious smile and makes her scenes highly watchable, she also gathers a lot of believable chemistry with all of her co-stars. I am not sure that this performance deserved the Oscar nomination (Binoche is capable of much more) but she does prove herself to be one of the most engaging romantic leads working in films today. Johnny Depp is lumbered with a bad character and does very little to improve upon him; I have never found him very convincing in romance stories and wasn't very impressed with his mediocre performance, in this he doesn't seem to have the energy or presence to really pull the -already weakly crafted- character work. Lena Olin is a brilliant actress, really one of the most talented women working in main stream Hollywood, she entered the hit show Alias and completely changed the programme around, and she is never anything less that wonderful in Chocolat. She plays the abused Josephine and is heart breaking, utterly convincing and really quite engaging. Judi Dench is also her usual wonderful self here (what can you say about her that hasn't already been said?)
I could write a big long list of all the films flaws and it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference, I could shout out all the things that make the film bad until I'm blue in the face, but the truth is that it wouldn't matter, Chocolat is so very charming, so self assured and so utterly uplifting that it is nearly impossible not to fall head over heels in love with it. It's powerful and seductive and so full of optimism that the cracks don't seem as emphasised as they perhaps should; the nagging feeling that the film shouldn't work disappears with the magic and luxury of the proceedings. It has all the qualities of chocolate itself, its sweet; it's a little overrated but most of all it is familiar and comforting. For fans of the genre I can see how Chocolat is regarded by many as a masterpiece, for the rest of it may be a bit of a let down, but its still enjoyable entertainment.
You can buy Chocolat from Amazon.co.uk for £6.97 ASIN: B00005LDBH or from their marketplace for around £5.00 I am sure that on Ebay you can probably pick it up for much cheaper. If you enjoy the film you can buy the accompanying book from Amazon for £6.99 ISBN: 0552998931
Advantages: What the film inherited from the book Disadvantages: What it changed and left out
My reaction to the film Chocolat was an odd mixture of regret and pleasure. The regret was from two sources. For having read the book before I saw the film (although I wasn't to know that the film was already in the making), and for allowing that to mar the cinematic interpretation.
I'm not going to repeat the intricacies of plot in this review. Those who want more than this can read other reviews of film or book. It is enough to say that a young ... ...for all the aggravating changes, Chocolat was still a wonderful delight to the senses, the casting, and cinematography was mostly excellent, and I would recommend seeing it, then afterwards, tasting the much finer flavours of the book. Take the very best chocolate bar or truffles you can to eat as you watch it, or you will find it intentionally creates unbearable cravings, and the crude tastes of the cinema foyer pick-and-mix bar will never satisfy. ...
jennysue 15.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chocolat (DVD)
Advantages: Good Disadvantages: not as good as it should have been
Ah, Johnny, Johnny. We might as well get this bit out of the way at the start, for it was my primary reason for going to see this film. Yes, it's based on a lovely book. Yes, it's directed by someone really cool. Yes, it got nominated for tons of Oscars. What drew me into my local, and forced me to hand over my hard earned cash was none of these things: it was the presence of the utterly beautiful Johnny Depp. I have sighed over those cheekbones, ... ...an it's proved a remarkably beneficial obsession. His habit of going for interesting-arty over box office megabucks has meant that in pursuit of my celluloid love, I have en route discovered many films that I would otherwise not have glanced at twice. What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands.... fine movies all, and of course none the worse for Mr Depp's presence.
All of which brings me to this film, which I will in future be adding ...
ImogenW 07.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chocolat (DVD)
Advantages: Just about everything, actually Disadvantages: The DVD Extras are a tad on the slim side
When I first saw the trailer for this film, I knew I had to see it. I know, one shouldn't "judge a book by its cover", but a movie where chocolate is practically the central character was totally irresistible for someone who is known in certain Internet circles as "The Chocolate Lady". That, and an amazing cast, was what pulled me into the movie theater. But the charm of this film - despite some critics calling it contrived - was what made me purchase ... ...was a quiet little village in the French countryside - whose people believed in Tranquilite - Tranquility."
Simply stated, this is a film about change and simple pleasures, and how the latter effects the former. Into a sleepy, conservative, devoutly religious French town come two strangers - Vianne Rocher (played by Juilette Binoche) and her daughter Anouk (as well as Pantoufle, Anouk's imaginary kangaroo), arriving at the exact same time as the ...
TheChocolateLady 31.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chocolat (DVD)
Advantages: Beautifully acted and shot film Disadvantages: It might have been interesting if the film had been in french
I have to write this op. in the film section even though it's just become a video (rent it now). I liked this film very much, and if you have ever done A level English Literature you will understand why. Far from allowing you to be creative, this qualification did make you very analytical of symbolism and this film is full of it. Bringing out these points becomes an art.
Cue the beginning of the film, a strong north wind blows through a small provincial ... ...wide-open in mid-sermon. The mayor played by Alfred Molina rises swiftly to his feet and closes the door lest the village inhabitants be affected. This sets the pattern beautifully for the rest of the film.
With the north wind comes two arrivals, Juliette Binoche and her daughter, they are clothed in red capes which emphasises the fantasy feel of the film. It also has reminiscences of Mary Poppins, a point which I will return to later. They go straight ...
treeman 22.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chocolat (DVD)
Advantages: Johnny Depp and Chocolate, what else? Disadvantages: None at all
...kindly provided the crew of Chocolat is more than capable of keeping the viewer's interest on its own... The party scene at the end is particularly beautifully done.
Soundtrack
Some gorgeous but understated music which matches the mood of the film perfectly. Keep your ear open for two songs Johnny Depp performs.
Overall opinion
This is absolutely beautiful film and one I can't even compare to anything else. It is touching, passionate, funny, ... ...the plot or even the individual actors too much and seems to invite the viewer into a little dream world if only for a couple of hours. Seeing fairies dancing along the river bank would hardly seem out of place in this innocent, magical, (yes I know I have used that word quite a lot) happy film. When it was over and after I had cried my last heart-felt tear, I felt on top of the world - as if I could do anything because there is goodness and beauty ...
ally2kc 06.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Chocolat (DVD)
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Advantages: Excellent direction; Huppert's performance Disadvantages: Somewhat contrived and predictable
', with Franz Liszt's ominous 'Les Funerailles' being the dominant and recurring theme that complements the tense atmosphere. Music by Debussy, Chopin, Mahler, Scriabine and Schubert also features in the film.
There is a version of the DVD that contains several special features, including an interview with Isabelle Huppert, Anna Mouglasis' screen test and a 'making of' documentary, but unfortunately my copy of the DVD does not have any extras.
I was expecting great things from this film, firstly as I can still remember how impressed I was by Chabrol's 'Le Boucher' in my student days. More recently I have watched Isabelle Huppert in 'The Piano Teacher' and felt that her performance was one of the most wonderful I have ever seen. I was slightly disappointed by 'Merci pour le Chocolat', partly as I have said because there were incidents that ...
Advantages: Johnny Depp - for individual see review. Disadvantages: The length of this review! See review for film disadvantages.
These two DVD's come in an attractive small box, and make the perfect present for any Depp fan - these were bought for my mother, who loves him as much as I do! Despite being bought together, they still have some extra features, and of course both are excellent films in their own right! I apologise in advance for the length of this review.. I haven't even written it yet but I can guess how long it'll get! There are no inserts in the DVD cases, but I believe the extra's on the DVD's are exactly the same as if you buy them individually.
--
>> FINDING NEVERLAND <<
> Synopsis
This is the story of J.M. Barrie's inspiration to create the classic story of Peter Pan - after one of his play's flops, he meets 4 young children in a park, leading to a remarkable friendship for life. Child-like himself with a vivid imagination, Barrie plays ...
Advantages: Finding Neverland-Beautiful and moving, Chocolat - Brilliant Disadvantages: None!
believe he should play a role. All this time the mother's illness (there from the beginning) worsens, and in the end, J.M. Barrie must do something to help the children he has come to love.
Chocolat:
General Comments: Attractively shot, the presence of chocolate enhances the pleasure!
Plot: Daughter and mother move to a community with a very strict idea of what should and should not be done. Here they open a chocolate shop - which apparently should not be done! To make matters worse, it is opposite the church, open on a Sunday and they began during Lent! Once people have tasted the products, however, they become more open-minded - except for the mayor. She also helps some of the townspeople to solve some of their problems, and teaches them to be more accepting, and of course there is a love interest... ...
David Brown, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Meryl Poster, Alan C. Blomquist
Editor
Andrew Mondshein
Languages
Main Language
English
Subtitle Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Deleted Scenes, The Comte Collects The Rent, Are We Going To Move Again, Milking The Cow, Cat Food, Boule Game, Hair Today Gone Tomorrow, The Making Of Chocolat, Production Design Featurette, The Costume Of Chocolat, Commentary With Director Lasse Hallstrom And Producers David Brown Kit Golden And Leslie Holleran
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
"...As fudge-y as advertised....[Binoche is] luscious..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.58, 12/01/2001)
"...A radiant central performance from Juliette Binoche and appealing supporting turns from Judi Dench and Johnny Depp....The film is beautifully shot..." (Sight and Sound, p.42-4, 01/03/2001)
"...[CHOCOLAT has] many pleasures. It's often very funny and the town looks a treat, a sort of Neverneverland that lends the movie a fairytale quality..." (Total Film, p.94, 01/04/2001)
DVD Description
Lasse Hallstrom's CHOCOLAT is set in the late 1950s, but it might as well be the late 1850s in a small French town where everyone behaves as they should (supposedly), and attends church regularly. When a strong north wind blows through town, it brings the vivacious and mysterious Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter, Anouk (Victoire Thivisol). Vianne--an unwed mother who declines to go to church and opens up a chocolate shop in the midst of Lent--is soon the talk of the town. Her good-natured, honorable personality and psychic ability (she can predict what kind of sweets best suit each person, and magically cures each of them of their particular maladies) make her as irresistible as her delectable treats. However, Vianne and her daughter are resented by the conservative mayor, the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), and by the pious Caroline (Carrie-Anne Moss), who has disowned her own spirited mother (Judi Dench, who plays Vianne's landlady), refusing the elderly woman access to her beloved grandson.This touching fairy tale, based on the novel by Joanne Harris, was filmed on location in rural France. An intelligent, exquisitely filmed fable that deals with the idea of 20th century paganism rising up against a closed-minded church and a persevering aristocracy, CHOCOLAT is enjoyable, romantic, and entertaining, with affecting performances by both its stars and its supporting actors (Lena Olin and Johnny Depp.)
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