Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #624 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-11-26
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 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

Thin, whimsical story, nice acting, excellent photography
Mother and daughter, both outsiders, blow into stuffy old-fashioned French village (cobbled streets, quaint houses, romantic lamplight, no cars, no uncouth farmers) and bring with them the power to release the claustrophobic and straight-laced community from its inhibitions - not the first time on screen that this formula has been employed. What is unusual is the medium they use. Delicious and irresistible chocolate confectionery tempts everyone, and turns then into better, more liberated people. In the end, good defeats bad, love triumphs over hate, and everyone is released from cramping conventions to do their own thing. Very much a message of our times, in other words, and perhaps none the worse for that - though whether self-indulgence is always the best way forward is a question that's elegantly passed over.

Two things, in my opinion, save Chocolat from being mediocre and forgettable. One is the photography, which is unusually good throughout and sometimes very impressive indeed (it's wonderful to see this film on a widescreen television) and the other is the film's attack on religious bigotry, courageous in these times when we are all supposed to be "non-judgemental". Contrary to what some other reviewers may have suggested, the chocolate element, though ever-present, is far from overpowering. The actors are not stretched by the gentle and undemanding story line, but Judi Dench delivers a finely judged performance, and Juliette Binoche is every bit as appetising as the chocolate she makes. But by far the best feature, in my view, is the stunning photography, and it's probably worth buying the DVD for that alone.

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.