Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product 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
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
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 44 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?...
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By J Casson
Format:DVD
This film is simply lovely. The portrayal of a village's journey from being a repressed, almost Victorian, community to a vibrant, colourful 1950s liberation is beautiful. The transformation is brought about through the arrival of Vianne, who brings the passionate world of Chocolaterie to the pleasure-denied village.
What happens next is a journey the whole village is taken on, as they each in turn embrace or struggle with change. With actors including Johnny Depp, Juliet Binoche and Judi Dench, this film cannot disappoint. The narration makes it sounds almost fairytale-esque, adding to the magic of this beautiful story.
I recommend it to chocolate lovers, vintage-era lovers, Johnny Depp fans, and absolutely anyone who enjoys a good story told through film. It is slightly risque in parts, so I think the 12 rating is appropriate, but is certainly suitable for teenagers.
A lovely, heartwarming film - enjoy with a cup of cocoa and chocolate biscuit!
What happens next is a journey the whole village is taken on, as they each in turn embrace or struggle with change. With actors including Johnny Depp, Juliet Binoche and Judi Dench, this film cannot disappoint. The narration makes it sounds almost fairytale-esque, adding to the magic of this beautiful story.
I recommend it to chocolate lovers, vintage-era lovers, Johnny Depp fans, and absolutely anyone who enjoys a good story told through film. It is slightly risque in parts, so I think the 12 rating is appropriate, but is certainly suitable for teenagers.
A lovely, heartwarming film - enjoy with a cup of cocoa and chocolate biscuit!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By LUCY LOCKETT
Format:DVD
Have not read the book so cannot make any comparisons but have now seen the film twice and enjoyed it even more on the second viewing. If only all narrow minded and bigoted people were that easily converted life would be much easier! The cast seems just perfect to me with everyone having fun in their role. Can imagine that I will be watching it again one day.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By bernie
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This is a unique movie with features and messages portrayed in "Babette's Feast (1988)" and "Like Water for Chocolate (1993)".
The story has been told many ways. Yet this movie is still unique in its presentation. We get to visit with our favorite actors and they do such a good job that they do not overwhelm the characters. I especially liked Alfred Molina who played a similar role in "Enchanted April (1992)" as someone that really was not a bad person; he was just misunderstood or has a misunderstanding and comes around later to be really a good guy.
Like "Babette's Feast", everyone is supposed to shun Vianne Rocher who goes out of her way to help people. And like "Like Water for Chocolate" the movie has a mystical feel.
Basic story is a town where everyone knows their place and duty is visited by a north wind caring a mysterious woman and her daughter. Their present's wakes up the people from their organized existence.
The DVD has all the DVD goodies that you are looking for, such as voice over, deleted scenes etc. And they do not force the coming attractions on you.
Chocolat
The story has been told many ways. Yet this movie is still unique in its presentation. We get to visit with our favorite actors and they do such a good job that they do not overwhelm the characters. I especially liked Alfred Molina who played a similar role in "Enchanted April (1992)" as someone that really was not a bad person; he was just misunderstood or has a misunderstanding and comes around later to be really a good guy.
Like "Babette's Feast", everyone is supposed to shun Vianne Rocher who goes out of her way to help people. And like "Like Water for Chocolate" the movie has a mystical feel.
Basic story is a town where everyone knows their place and duty is visited by a north wind caring a mysterious woman and her daughter. Their present's wakes up the people from their organized existence.
The DVD has all the DVD goodies that you are looking for, such as voice over, deleted scenes etc. And they do not force the coming attractions on you.
Chocolat
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By "hanny1988"
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!! :)
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a pleasant, though obvious, adult fable, broadly hinting at the often sensual, restorative, and mystical properties of chocolate. A beautiful and mysterious woman, Vianne, delightfully played by the winsome Juliette Binoche, along with her daughter, Anouk, arrive in a remote and very provincial French town, where she rents a patisserie from an elderly, crotchety woman, magnificently played by Judi Dench, and turns it into a chocolatier. From here, she concocts visually dazzling, mouthwatering amounts of chocolates, along with copious cups of hot cocoa made from a very special recipe, that are always sold or given by Vianne with a Julia Roberts style, mega watt smile. Vianne is always kind, compassionate, and tolerant. She is, therefore, a person to be feared by those who lack those traits. That is why she is greeted with bare civility by the town's mayor, wonderfully played by the always underrated, very talented Alfred Molina. He is a sanctimonious, intolerant, unhappy, religious prig, who insists on writing the sermons for the town's young, beleagured priest. Offended by Vianne's easy charm and her resistance to his invitation to attend church services, the mayor, whose hardened exterior hides a profound sorrow, declares war on Vianne, as he perceives her to be a threat to his established order of things.
Meanwhile, Vianne finally warms up and disarms her crotchety landlady, jumpstarts a tired marriage for two villagers, and befriends a battered woman, played with appropriate pathos, delicacy, and spirit by Lena Olin. She also manages a flirtation with an Irish drifter named Roux, well played by Johnny Depp, though they seem to lack chemistry together.
... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 557 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
Never really knew what this film was about until I viewed it then had to get the DVD- love the story line and the querky, funny situations within the film. Read more
Published 15 days ago by tiny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely film
Saw this when first released. Lovely story love the music. Great to watch on a night in with chocolates and wine.
Published 25 days ago by Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice little film
This film has a slightly unusual storyline. Vianne, (Juliette Binoche) arrives with her daughter in a small French town and goes about setting up a shop making and selling... Read more
Published 1 month ago by PeeJay
5.0 out of 5 stars
On time and as described.
one of my favourite films - arrived on time - in good order - with extras that the video didn't have - so I am happy
Published 1 month ago by European female
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Film
Moving from DVD and this is one of my favourite films - the books great to read or listen to
Published 1 month ago by Jenni Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious...
One of my favourite re-watch films of all time. Perfect performances by all, stunning scenery, good moral story line about compassion and humanity. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jenni Tarry
5.0 out of 5 stars
dvd
The best service given by far great item well impressed. We will use these sellers again as extremely satisified
Thanks
Thanks
Published 2 months ago by neal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab film
I loved this at the cinema so great to own my own copy.I would recommend this to any chocoholic.It has a great cast.
Published 2 months ago by Aimestar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Night of enjoyment
Very enjoyable film suitable for all the family to watch or just sit with my wife to watch and enjoy.
Published 3 months ago by john crowder
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chat and Chocolate
Our church chose CHOCOLAT as a discussion starter on the Sunday evening before Lent (we were not so cruel as to introduce it DURING Lent) and the evening was accompanied with as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Judith L. Robinson
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
