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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Miramax
Salesrank: 1173
Released: August 7, 2001 |
| Our Price: $4.10 |
| Used Price: $2.99 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Nominated for 5 Academy Awards(R) including Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliette Binoche -- THE ENGLISH PATIENT), and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench -- SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), 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 straitlaced villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness! But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux (Johnny Depp -- SLEEPY HOLLOW), arrives in town that Vianne is finally able to recognize her own desires!
Description of Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series):
With movies like Chocolat, it's always best to relax your intellectual faculties and absorb the abundant sensual pleasures, be it the heart-stopping smile of chocolatier Juliette Binoche as she greets a new customer, an intoxicating cup of spiced hot cocoa, or the soothing guitar of an Irish gypsy played by Johnny Depp. Adapted by Robert Nelson Jacobs from Joanne Harris's popular novel and lovingly directed by Lasse Hallström, the film covers familiar territory and deals in broad metaphors that even a child could comprehend, so it's no surprise that some critics panned it with killjoy fervor. Their objections miss the point. Familiarity can be comforting and so can easy metaphors when placed in a fable that's as warmly inviting as this one.
Driven by fate, Vianne (Binoche) drifts into a tranquil French village with her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol, from Ponette) in the winter of 1959. Her newly opened chocolatier is a source of attraction and fear, since Vianne's ability to revive the villagers' passions threatens to disrupt their repressive traditions. The pious mayor (Alfred Molina) sees Vianne as the enemy, and his war against her peaks with the arrival of "river rats" led by Roux (Depp), whose attraction to Vianne is immediate and reciprocal. Splendid subplots involve a battered wife (Lena Olin), a village elder (Judi Dench), and her estranged daughter (Carrie-Anne Moss), and while the film's broader strokes may be regrettable (if not for Molina's rich performance, the mayor would be a caricature), its subtleties are often sublime. Chocolat reminds you of life's simple pleasures and invites you to enjoy them. --Jeff Shannon
Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series) Reviews:
Wonderful story 
2009-11-05 - I absolutely love this unique and wonderful story. The acting is great. The story is a modern day fairytale if you like good writing and directing you will like this movie.the story is engaging humorous yet deep.
Wonderful story and great performance 
2009-10-15 - When chocolate making harmonizes with our passions, and the chocolate maker is Juliette Binoche, total success and delight are inevitable.
While awakening passion in everybody's life in a small village, Binoche faces the classic struggle between being true to one's self and following what is supposedly the righteous way forced on us by others.
Each character in the movie is a forceful presence and each plays an important role in this wonderful story. The short appearances by Johnny Depp ignites a fascinating emotional spark between a noble man and the family of a single charismatic woman and her smart daughter.
Quick Review (no plot details)
2009-09-22 - This movie is magical. The dialogue is perfect and sounds like someone reading a book aloud. It certainly has a romantic element though it is not trite or overly sentimental and quite original. I would definitely say it is a must watch for anyone who enjoys good movies &/or a good book!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!
2009-09-19 - Just like the parfection named in this film's title, the entire story and production is a "taste treat!" Every role seems to be played by the perfect actor. A delicious delite!
Good Movie
2009-08-29 - This is a great movie. It has a good story and is well acted. The product is as described. I am very pleased with this purchase. I will purchase more movies.
