Today’s quick review: Chocolat. Vianne (Juliette Binoche) causes a stir in a quiet French village when she opens up a chocolate shop just in time for the fasting season of Lent. With the help of her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol), Vianne sets out to sweeten the lives of the villagers one chocolate at a time. But her decadent treats make an enemy of the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), the mayor of the village and its zealous moral guardian.
Chocolat is a movie with elements of comedy, drama, and romance. Vianne and her daughter travel from town to town in the French countryside, selling chocolate until they are forced to move on. Chocolat follows them as they settle into a new town and try to make friends with its insular residents. Chocolat is an optimistic movie that shows the good a bit of kindness can do. A talented cast and a nicely varied story make it an enjoyable watch.
Chocolat has the flavor of a romance but not the specific ingredients. Love abounds in the tiny village, and Vianne even finds a kindred spirit in Roux (Johnny Depp), an Irish traveler who passes through. But the focus of the story is on the relationship between Vianne and the village itself. Through a series of kind gestures, Vianne improves the lives of the villagers, shakes up its stuffy traditions, and prompts even the mayor to reconsider his life.
This setup paves the way for both light-hearted moments and dramatic ones. The movie explores the conflict between Vianne’s unconventional lifestyle and the rigid social structure of the village, leading to some good dramatic tension. But the overall tone is upbeat, celebrating the beauty of Vianne’s work and the small ways she improves the lives of those around her. The result is a story that’s satisfying in a lot of little ways.
How much you get out of Chocolat will depend heavily on taste. Those who enjoy uplifting stories peppered with low-stakes conflict and detailed personal relationships will get just what they want out of the film. Those who prefer more focused stories, heavier forms of romance, or protagonists who are less saintly will get less out of the film. In any case, the quality of its story and characters make Chocolat worth trying for those curious.
For a romantic French comedy about a woman who brings joy to the people around her, try Amelie. For an animated Christmas comedy about a man who breathes new life into a joyless town, try Klaus. For a romantic comedy suffused with small-town charm, try The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a charming premise and solid execution.