Chocolat (Wide Screen) > Reviews

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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, ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent performances from the whole cast. Beautifully shot.
Disadvantages: Some viewers do not appreciate this kind of gentle film.

This is a quite exquisite movie, without blowing its trumpet and screaming “look at me, I am an exquisite movie!” This is getting to be a habit from director Lasse Hallstrom, who also directed the Cider House Rules and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (a real favourite movie of mine, also starring Johnny Depp). Chocolat is a simple, moving tale of everyday folk in a small French village in the 1960’s. However, all is not quite ... Read review

Advantages: Alfred Molina - a real gem of an acting performance
Disadvantages: Dull, unentertaining, predictable, shallow plot

A wandering single mother and her young illegitimate daughter enter the small French town of Lansquenet in the winter of 1959, and turn the religious community upside down by setting up a chocolate shop at the beginning of Lent. They arrive in red coats, and their mission is to breathe some life into the languid and repressed atmosphere, by allowing the residents to indulge in such sensual pleasures as chocolate eating. Vianne (Juliet Binoche, ‘The ... Read review

Advantages: Nice, warm, cosy film. Buy a box of milk tray to go with it.
Disadvantages: A little cloying in places, but it means well.

Its just out on video, its got Mr Depp in it (for the layyydies), and its quite hard to pronounce when you ask for it at the corner video store, but is it any good for the non-drip? Yes, in a word, it is. But it's not what I expected. Firstly, Johnny Depp isn't in it very much, its one of those films where they stick the biggest box office draw on the front cover of the video in the hope of luring potential renters. He's in it for about twenty ... Read review

Advantages: Visually impressive
Disadvantages: Boring storyline, dodgy accents, made me hungry!!!

I had heard, and believed, much of the hype surrounding this film. It was going to win Oscars etc. and had been given 4 or 5 stars in just about every review I had read. The film centres on a nomadic chocolatiere, Vianne (Juliette Binoche), and her daughter (and her imaginary(?) pet kangaroo, Pontouf), who arrive one day in a small French town, and open up a chocolaterie. This does not go down well with the residents of the town, especially as ... Read review

Advantages: Judi Dench - Johnny Depp
Disadvantages: Bad accents - disjointed story

When Vianne and her young daughter Anouk ride the North Wind into a sleepy town in France the villagers don’t know what’s about to hit them. Causing almost immediate outrage to the Mayor of the town when he stops by their newly rented shop, Vianne declines his offer to worship with the town’s people. Add to this her decision to open a chocolate shop during Lent. Plus the fact that she readily lets it be known that she is an unmarried mother, Vianne ... Read review

Advantages: Good to look at - not too predictable.
Disadvantages: Makes you want to stuff yourself with chocolate

I really liked this film. For all sorts of reasons - and not just because Johnny depp looks so goosd with a ponytail and a suntan (although he does!). I like it because it bucks the Hollywood trend and offers cinema goers food for thought that stays with you, rather than just a lot of fizz and froth. It tells the story of a young (unmarried) mother and her daughter, who set up home in a small (both literally and metaphorically) French town. Going ... Read review

Advantages: Characters who are great in their simplicity, great acting
Disadvantages: Possibly lacking in action for some - not me though!

...solid romantic comedy drama, then Chocolat is one not to be missed. ... Read review

Advantages: Juliette Binoche, the chemistry with Depp, some appealing location settings
Disadvantages: Too predictable, pedestrian direction and not enough mystique

...children's fairy story adaptation. If Chocolat had any hopes of being a mysterious and compelling movie for adults, it sadly loses that particular battle before the first 5 minutes are up. Rachel Portman's score is also far too twee,and not always entirely sympathetic to what's happening onscreen. Nothing about Chocolat quite gels as it might have been anticipated to, although Binoche and a raggle-taggle Johnny Depp (playing a national guitar-strumming ... Read review

Advantages: Good Story, Good Acting
Disadvantages: Makes you want chocolate

Chocolate is desire, chocolate is sin, chocolate is passion, chocolate is medicine, chocolate is magic. Or at least it is in this film adaptation of Joanne Harris’s best-selling novel. Before I start this review I have to admit that I have not read the novel and so I will not try and make direct comparisons between it and the film version. This is purely a review of the DVD and I have judged the film on its own merits. THE STORY On ... Read review