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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
Now for the first time on Blu-ray. Lasse Hallstrom's Chocolat was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliet Binoche), and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Chocolat is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director of 'The Cider House Rules'. Nobody could have imagined the impact that the striking Vianne (Binoche) would make when she arrived in a tranquil, old-fashioned French town. In her very unusual chocolate shop, Vianne begins to create mouth-watering confections that almost magically inspire the straight-laced villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness. But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux (Johnny Depp), arrives in town that Vianne is finally able to recognise her own desires.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Delicious! A delightful fantasy of life, love, the power of desire, and the fight of good and evil. Eating chocolate during lent is used as a metaphor for breaking through oppressive tradition and living life with no prejudices. As the priest says - judge youself by what you embrace, not what you deny. The film is a magical humourous whimsy set in a "never-was" french village brimming over with slightly unreal characters. Juliet Binoche, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin and Judi Dench are delightful in their roles - Alfred Molina especially good as the driven but tragic Mayor, keeping the character from being a pantomime villain. Leslie Caron is still as radiant as she was in Gigi, and Johnny Depp ties with Juliet Binoche for the title of most beautiful person on the planet! Although he's probably a better guitar player.
The DVD transfer shows off the deep rich textures of the chocolate and the town to perfection, and enhances the musical score, which is almost a character in itself. The extra material is welcome, though a little lightweight - the commentary by director and producers is informative, although a few members of the cast would have enhanced it. The deleted scenes looked very interesting, but the sound on them was unfortunately inaudible. The documentary was the usual entertaining fluff. I would still recommend the DVD over the video, though, if only for the perfect picture and sound.
It's interesting that all the Brits reviewing the film on Amazon.co.uk praise it for it's eccentricities and fantasy, whereas all the americans on Amazon.com damn it for being unrealistic and manipulative. A film for dreamers, not cynics, perhaps?...
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Let me tell you I am a twenty stone man who has been in a few fights in his time and have not got a romantic bone in my body. However this film is just sooooooooo nice it almost makes me cry. You can see the synopsis and characters etc by reading the other reviews so I won't bore you with my knowledge of trivia. This film is just fantastic in every sense of the word. Buy it or I will beat you up.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having seen this film only a few weeks ago I thought it was a real feel good film. Since seeing the film I have read the book and think that the film is jst as good as the book, even though there are some big changes made to the plot I think that they work.
I thought tha Juliette Binoche was magical and Judi Dench really brought Armande to life. Johnny Depp (despite being gorgeous!) was a good gypsy although I am not quite sure why he was Irish?
All in all I think that it is well worth a watch and good for a night in with ice cream and pop corn!! :)
I thought tha Juliette Binoche was magical and Judi Dench really brought Armande to life. Johnny Depp (despite being gorgeous!) was a good gypsy although I am not quite sure why he was Irish?
All in all I think that it is well worth a watch and good for a night in with ice cream and pop corn!! :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Delicious Piece of Drama that will make you have a sweet tooth
(the film)Nominated for 5 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliette Binoche ) and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench ), Chocolat is the beautiful and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. F. husseiny
CHocolat dvd
This film was excellent, probably may be due to the fact I am a Johnny Depp fan. However, having read the book, I was pleased it didnt deter too much from the story.
Published 3 months ago by smf
Crap
This film is crap.
Nothing happens apart from boredom for the viewer. There are also terrible fake accents to insult anyone who happens to come from the country that the... Read more
Nothing happens apart from boredom for the viewer. There are also terrible fake accents to insult anyone who happens to come from the country that the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alex da Silva
A mistaken purchase, glad I made it!
Went on a buying spree of french films and mistook this for a frenchy. Glad I bought it.
I fanstastic film, full of romance, emotion and passion. Read more
I fanstastic film, full of romance, emotion and passion. Read more
Published 13 months ago by D.P.
Yummy!
I was totally prejudiced against this film--it must have been the hype around Oscar time some years ago; I refused to see it (As I recall, the ads, in typical Hollywood fashion,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by F. S. L'hoir
Encore du chocolat
Good film however I found it a little disappointing as I read the novel first! The novel is great but the film has alot of changes. Read more
Published 17 months ago by E. Bastian
Sweet Delight
This is truly a delightful film. I was watching it on TV but had to go to bed before it finished. I was enjoying it so much I just had to buy it just so I could see it to the end. Read more
Published 19 months ago by belanna
You're favouirite? It certainly was for me
One of my favourite films and I don't like romatic films at all. The tone of the film is great with comedy and action and everything you need in a good story... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ms. Sarah Godfrey
Lovely Fairytale Film
This film has an unusual style but is a pleasant fairytale with some high and low emotional points. Slightly disappointing acting from Johnny Depp but overall a nice storyline... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Christopher Osbeck
Try this, it's your favourite.
I've had nearly 10 years to contemplate this now and so am sure. This is my favourite movie ever.
There, I admit it even though I'm a bloke. This is perfect. Read more
There, I admit it even though I'm a bloke. This is perfect. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. J. F. Cotterill
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