I know this movie is 8 years old, but I just saw it last week and it is totally on topic! I don’t know how (or why) I missed seeing it before, but I’m glad now for free premium stations on Directv. I’m seeing lots of stuff I missed (but that’s another story).
Chocolat is the story of a woman (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter who follow the North Wind where it takes them, carrying with them the desire to help people with their tasty confections. They arrive in an uptight French town and open a chocolaterie during Lent. The people of the town have no idea what they are in for!
Given that chocolate is in the title of the movie, you would expect that it plays a large role in the movie, and it does. It is almost a character unto itself. How the town people react to the chocolate is an interesting study in morality and desire.
Incidentally, if you are like me and are a Johnny Depp fan and are anxious to see him in the movie because you see him on the movie cover, you are going to have to be patient. He does not appear until about halfway through the movie.
As you watch the movie, you will think about the history of chocolate as well as the effects it can have on the body and the mind. Chocolat is a perfect mix of comedy, drama, and romance. Chick flick? Probably. But one worth watching together…with a box of chocolates of course.
