![]() Descended from the tribes of South America and blown about by the North Wind, they drift from town to town spreading their special Mayan chocolate recipe that literally liberates the spirit of those who consume it. However, there's something magical about Vianne and Anouk. Leading the townsfolk in their obstinate behavior is the ultra-devout mayor, Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina of " Magnolia"), who even edits the sermons of the town's young priest, Pere Henri (Hugh O'Connor of " The Young Poisoner's Handbook") to ensure that the messages of restraint are heard loud and clear. However, it seems that Vianne (Binoche) and Anouk Rochon (Victoire Thivisol of " Ponette") should have done some research on their target market, as the town is populated by god-fearing Christians who exercise restraint in every aspect of their lives, especially during Lent. Once upon a time (1959, the start of Lent to be exact), a young woman and her daughter arrive in a small French village, rent a vacant patisserie, and open a chocolate shop. ![]() Strip away the top-notch acting talent, the quaint European setting, and the half-hearted moralizing of the script, and what you have left is an sugar-coated combination of " Like Water for Chocolate" and " Pleasantville", only bereft of meaning and insight. Though this undemanding film certainly has a whimsical fairy-tale quality to it, it is rather frivolous compared to the director's prior effort. Based on the novel by Joanne Harris, " Chocolat" has already garnered four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Juliette Binoche (" Three Colors: Blue"), Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench (" Shakespeare in Love"), and Best Score for the orchestrations by Rachel Portman (who also scored "The Cider House Rules"). Miramax Films has its Oscar hopes on " Chocolat", director Lasse Hallstrom's follow-up to his Oscar-nominated " The Cider House Rules". Chocolat Movie Review by Anthony Leong from Ĭhocolat Movie Review Movie Review by Anthony Leong © Copyright 2000
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