Chocolat [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Chocolat is an enchanting, moving and heart-warming tale of love and temptation, a 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 quiet, old-fashioned French town at the end of the 1950s. Gradually her attitude to life and the delicacies that she prepares in her chocolate shop have a marked effect on the local people, bound as they are by the twin forces of religion and politics.

Juliette Binoche is perfect in the role of the sensuous, captivating Vianne--a masterstroke of casting matched by the performance of Judi Dench as the splendidly grumpy but ultimately inspiring matriarch Armande. Very much an ensemble piece, the whole cast are indeed excellent, with Johnny Depp (making a fair fist of an Irish accent) superb as the drifter Roux, the one man capable of unlocking Vianne's own desires. From its majestic opening swoop to the final, joyous scene, Lasse Hallström's film, based on the bestselling novel, is nothing short of a masterpiece.

On the DVD: As befits such a film, the DVD is an elegant, well thought out package. The movie itself is a visual feast, a combination of a beautiful setting, rich, opulent colours and textures and a mystical atmosphere. There's a range of documentary features examining the style of the film and its background, as well as an audio commentary and some excellent scenes deleted from the final cut. More in-depth notes are to be found in the accompanying booklet and the whole thing adds up to one of the most satisfying DVD releases in a long time. In one of the accompanying documentaries, Depp wonders if it is possible to create art through cinema. It may be a difficult task, but Chocolat is proof that it can be done.--Phil Udell

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!.......2007-12-29

This is a great movie. A delightful tale and a useful attempt to deliver the book on the big screen. They say that you write about what you know about and I understand that the original author did have French relatives involved in the confectionary trade.

Chocolat transports you to small town France in the post World War 2 period. It's a wonderful tale of a theocratic community versus a single-minded secular entreprenuer. Also has great music throughout and wonderful acting by some well-known faces and some lesser know actors/actresses. Oh, and yes the chocolate treats do look very tempting.

Incidentally, the book 'Chocolat' is a bit of a masterpiece and possibly up there with one of the best ever written. I don't say that lightly.

Acquire, watch and enjoy. Has a batch of great extras as well.

A delightful and interesting movie.......2007-10-16

Chocolat is delightful as eating chocolate and interesting movie to really sulk into.

The movie is about a new arrival in small community of rural France who all of a sudden opens a chocolate confectionary much to the disliking of many of the folks. Her antiques stirs public outrage, as the festival of Lent occurs at the same time. The traditions of the community are affected. Their is strong religious opposition to the chocolate confectionary. Does her shop reunite a community or creates imminents conflicts. The subject area touched upon in the movie raises interesting set of questions.

The setting accurately blends with the 1950's, the birthplace of rock and roll.

The cast featured to the movie, brings the villagers to life by adding credibility and solidarity. With the cast the callibre of Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and ever so versatile Johnny Depp, it feels though the characters are really genuine and you are drawn into their world.

The cinemagraphy is top class, with the perfect locations chosen to blend with the movie. You have a small village filled with small shops, a church, a river and vintage buidlings.

Overall, Chocolat is a richly entertaining, delightful and interesting movie to watch.

GREAT FUN.......2007-09-01

Have not read the book so cannot make any comparisons but have now seen the film twice and enjoyed it even more on the second viewing. If only all narrow minded and bigoted people were that easily converted life would be much easier! The cast seems just perfect to me with everyone having fun in their role. Can imagine that I will be watching it again one day.

A charming movie but not as good as the book and one change from the book was a serious mistake.......2007-08-04

---spoilers----

Four stars for a very enjoyable confection when you feel like a tasty sweet treat, but if you have read the book before seeing the movie, you will probably find it lacks the sharp bite of unsweetened chocolate that features so much more in the book than the sweetened variety. The French have a relationship with chocolate that isn't based on masses of milk and sugar diluting it. This movie is packed with sugar and cream.

You might be very surprised and annoyed as I was at the change of hostile priest which was such an effective and provocative theme to hostile mayor which is amusing in how it's carried through but not dynamic in any way. I agree with the reviewer who felt this movie should have been made by the French - it would have had the bite that the book had and the movie lacks. Instead it has that sugary Hollywood "nice movie for Christmas" style.

Sumptuous.......2007-07-16

The warmth and depth of this film is softened by a wicked humour. I sit with a smile and then a tear in my eye. The idea that a transient being can solve the angsts of a village with idealogical problems is pure bliss. To accept death in a sense of pleasure and then to see that the very roots of religion are open to the warmth and depth of humanity is pure revolution. It is film that takes you from a question to a childish smirk to an adult guffaw. It is a film that wets the senses and satisfies the secret desires to have a wanton smile. I am not going to wade in does the accent seem real that is pure drivel. I have even bought this film for my mum, it is all that is delicious and naughty.

Average customer rating:

Chocolat [2001] (Region 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Juliette Binoche , Alfred Molina , Carrie-Anne Moss , Judi Dench , and Antonio Gil (VI)
Director: Lasse Hallström
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000065KH4

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