Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1558 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-11-26
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 117 minutes

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

DVD Description
DVD Special Features
Subtitles: English/English for the hearing impaired
Languages: Dolby Digital 5.1: English
Audio commentary
Deleted scenes
The making of Chocolat
The costumes of Chocolat
Production Design featurette

Synopsis
Lasse Hallstrom's CHOCOLAT is set in the late 1950s, but it might as well be the late 1850s in a small French town where everyone behaves as they should (supposedly), and attends church regularly. When a strong north wind blows through town, it brings the vivacious and mysterious Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter, Anouk (Victoire Thivisol). Vianne--an unwed mother who declines to go to church and opens up a chocolate shop in the midst of Lent--is soon the talk of the town. Her good-natured, honorable personality and psychic ability (she can predict what kind of sweets best suit each person, and magically cures each of them of their particular maladies) make her as irresistible as her delectable treats. However, Vianne and her daughter are resented by the conservative mayor, the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), and by the pious Caroline (Carrie-Anne Moss), who has disowned her own spirited mother (Judi Dench, who plays Vianne's landlady), refusing the elderly woman access to her beloved grandson.This touching fairy tale, based on the novel by Joanne Harris, was filmed on location in rural France. An intelligent, exquisitely filmed fable that deals with the idea of 20th century paganism rising up against a closed-minded church and a persevering aristocracy, CHOCOLAT is enjoyable, romantic, and entertaining, with affecting performances by both its stars and its supporting actors (Lena Olin and Johnny Depp.)

Customer Reviews

could johnny depp get any more good looking
very touching film, very enjoyable. although Johnny Depp only has a small role what a fantastic one it is, gorgeous makes me want to run off and find my own irish gypsy. lovely. a good watch highly recommended

Brilliant!
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
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.