Chocolat 2000 Review

This one is charming and whimsical in the best ways.  It's perhaps a bit TOO sweet, but I didn't mind that since the characters, the situations, the sub-plots and the pace of the film seemed to be almost faultless. 

Chocolat is also about the conflict between paganism (new age) and conservative Christianity. 

Vianne (Juliette Binoche) opens a chocolate shop in a tranquil (dull) French village and slowly everything changes.

The town is completely controlled by Comte De Reynaud (Alfred Molina) who is very rich and whose wife is missing (supposedly on a long long trip to Venice).  Reynaud goes so far as to write the sermons that Father Henri (Hugh O'Connor) delivers in his church.  

There are troubles in this supposedly serene tranquil town however.  Josephine (Lena Olin) is beaten by her husband Serge (Peter Stomare)  and Vianne harbors and protects to the woman which sets off a battle.  After all, Vianne is new to the town and an unmarried mother to Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) and she is trying to get people to eat chocolate during LENT. 

And thene there is the possibility of romance, when Roux  (Johnny Depp in a supporting role)  moves to the outskirts of town with his gypsy like commune that lives on a houseboat.

There are magic ingredients in Vianne's chocolate. Her shop becomes a healing center.    An old man gains confidence enough to go after a local widow (Leslie Caron), a decade old riff between a mother and daughter is healed... and much more.

It's a fable and full of delightful whimsical moments.    I was enchanted almost completely from start to finish.    It should be okay for you to share this enchanting movie with anyone over 14.

Chocolat   2000   Directed by Lasse Hallstrom