Chocolat (2000)
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63% of critics liked it
(115 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(304,085 ratings)
The most tempting of all sweets becomes the key weapon in a battle of sensual pleasure versus disciplined self-denial in this comedy. In 1959, a mysterious woman named Vianne (Juliette Binoche) moves with her young daughter into a small French village, where much of the community's activities… More The most tempting of all sweets becomes the key weapon in a battle of sensual pleasure versus disciplined self-denial in this comedy. In 1959, a mysterious woman named Vianne (Juliette Binoche) moves with her young daughter into a small French village, where much of the community's activities are dominated by the local Catholic church. A few days after settling into town, Vianne opens up a confectionery shop across the street from the house of worship -- shortly after the beginning of Lent. While the townspeople are supposed to be abstaining from worldly pleasures, Vianne tempts them with unusual and delicious chocolate creations, using her expert touch to create just the right candy to break down each customer's resistance. With every passing day, more and more of Vianne's neighbors are succumbing to her sinfully delicious treats, but the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), the town's mayor, is not the least bit amused; he is eager to see Vianne run out of town before she leads the town into a deeper level of temptation. Vianne, however, is not to be swayed, and with the help of another new arrival in town, a handsome Irish Gypsy named Roux (Johnny Depp), she plans a "Grand Festival of Chocolate," to be held on Easter Sunday. Based on the novel by Joanne Harris, Chocolat features a distinguished supporting cast, including Judi Dench, Lena Olin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Peter Stormare, Hugh O'Conor, and Leslie Caron. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lasse Hallström
- Written By
- Robert Nelson Jacobs
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 2000 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 7, 2001
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Ultimately, especially coming from director Lasse Hallstrom, such a slight flick doubles as a fat disappointment.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
A sinfully scrumptious bonbon.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Hallstrom has created the cinematic equivalent of chocolate on screen. Who could resist?
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Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Watching Chocolat is like binging on a bottomless box of truffles: Tastes good and sweet at first, but after a while, you start feeling a little green.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
One of those whimsical concoctions that tries too hard, and goes too long, for its own good.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Juliette Binoche
as Vianne Rocher
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Lena Olin
as Josephine Muscat
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Johnny Depp
as Roux
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Judi Dench
as Armande Voizin
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Alfred Molina
as Comte de Reynaud
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Peter Stormare
as Serge Muscat
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Carrie-Anne Moss
as Caroline Clairmont
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Leslie Caron
as Madame Audel
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John Wood
as Guillaume Blerot
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Hugh O'Conor
as Pere Henri
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Victoire Thivisol
as Anouk Rocher
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Aurelien Parent Koenig
as Luc Clairmont
- Arnaud Adam
