While Vianne struggles against the intolerance of the villagers, she manages to find romance when a scruffy but sexy wanderer named Roux (Johnny Depp) drifts into town. Roux warns her, "We river rats are the dregs of society. You make friends with us, you make enemies of others." Vianne is unafraid. She's already made enemies. The screen chemistry between Depp and Binoche has plenty of spark and sparkle, especially in the scene -- reminiscent of a similar exquisite scene in the film Picnic -- where they dance together along the river's edge. This struck me as a movie moment that will melt all but the most cynical of hearts.
To be sure, Chocolat is an escapist fairy tale, but in spite of its surface simplicity, it has considerable resonance and substance. For me, it packed a slow-release emotional wallop, primarily because director Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, My Life as a Dog) always manages to work a bit of an edge into his films.
Chocolat isn't a perfect movie: I found it to be more of a flawed gem. Yet its graceful, gentle charm, charismatic performances, lyrical cinematography, and high production values combine to cast a spell that can easily set your mind to such fantastic thoughts as falling in love.
Selected Special Features on the DVD:
- Audio Commentary by Director and Producers
- Documentary: "The Making of Chocolat"
- Featurette: "The Costumes of Chocolat"
- Featurette: "Production Design"
- Deleted Scenes (7)
- DVD Release Date: August 7, 2001
Formats Available: The above information refers to the DVD; this film is also available on VHS.
