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Cast
Vianne (Juliette Binoche)
Josephine (Lena Olin)
Armande (Judi Dench)
Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina)
Roux (Johnny Depp)
Directed by Lasse Hallstrom Written by Robert Nelson Jacobs,
based on the novel by Joanne Harris
Rated PG-13 for a scene of sensuality and some violence
Running Time: 118 minutes Distributed by Miramax
Buy this poster!
Chocolat is a sweet fable of a film that conveys light-hearted
humor and drama. The film takes place during 1959, in a small
French town that is defined by Comte de Reynaud (Molina).
The Comte stands by the town’s old tradition of strong Catholic
faith and prosperity. One day a woman named Vianne (Binoche)
and her young daughter move into town and open a chocolate
shop across the square from the church. The Comte goes into
the shop to greet Vianne and learns that she doesn’t go to
church and her child is illegitimate. The Comte then concludes
that Vianne and her shop are dangerous and unwanted in the
peaceful community. However, instead of the townspeople turning
away from Vianne, the citizens begin to love the magical touch
of her personality and chocolate. Leaving the determined Comte
to start a protest against the newcomer and her shop.
Chocolat
is a sweet little comedy that’s humor and drama will please
most adult audiences.
Robert
Nelson Jacobs wrote the script for Chocolat based on Jeanne
Harris’ novel. Overall, Jacobs does a good job with adapting
the story and not bringing down the main character with too
many complications. He makes the skepticism of the Comte and
his influence the main conflict for Vianne, followed by a
few other personal conflicts from within herself. Like with
a lot of novel adapted films, the writer could have easily
added some more problems for the character, but he doesn’t.
The sequencing flows modestly and the secrets behind the different
chocolates stands strong with the character relations. The
only real noticeable complaint I had about Chocolat is an
explanation as to how Vianne gets all of her chocolate. In
the beginning of the film, a man is seen delivering boxes
of cocoa beans to her, but no dialogue is given as to where
he came from. Vianne does say a lot of the chocolates are
from around the world, but where did she get them, especially
in 1959.
Lasse
Hallstrom once again makes a good little film from his calm
direction. Hallstrom follows up his great direction in The
Cider House Rules, with good work in Chocolat. Hallstrom uses
a lot more complete circular shots in this film than I have
ever seen him create. An example is his near 360-degree whirlwind
around the town church. Hallstrom does capture the fairy tale
type of atmosphere with the chocolate and the characters in
the story. He paces his actions with actor revelations and
emotions in a very simple manner. Examples are the actors’
delicious enjoyment with the chocolate candies.
Juliette Binoche was well cast in the role of Vianne. She
balances her strong performance with instanteous smiles and
tears. Johnny Depp also turns in a contributable performance
as the outsider Roux, who becomes a close friend of Vianne’s.
Lena Olin and Judi Dench will make strong cases for Oscar
nominations with their performances as Vianne’s chocolate
shop regulars. Olin, who plays the deranged Josephine, delivers
her best acting in years with hyper actions and stern emotion.
Dench, who I believe is one of the most talented actresses
around, reminded me a lot of my grandma as a sometimes grumpy,
but loving grandma in this film. I also really loved Alfred
Molina in Chocolat. Molina plays the Comte, who is trying
to boot Vianne out of town. The actor has bright and tense
facial expressions, which contribute to his fantastic, transform
acting as the Comte.
Chocolat
has a nice moral story of individuality along with light comedy.
I don’t know if young filmgoers will catch on to this film
like they did with Shakespeare in Love, but who knows. Adults
will enjoy this one.
Report
Card Grade: B
Beastman’s
Movie Reviews
Copyright, 2001 Joseph C. Tucker
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