Chocolat (DVD 2001)

My Wife is a Johnny Depp fan (who's wife isnt).
Just another one to the collection
In this movie we can see his (Depp) range as an actor , many emotional spectrums on display .
Come to think about it , I like him too,in a manly way of course.
Get it ,watch it love it.......

But Chocolat also owes a debt to Disney for its somewhat familiar plot structure and transformational theme. Like Mary Poppins, chocolatier Vianne (Best Actress nominee Juliette Binoche) — with daughter in tow (Victoire Thivisol) and dressed in identical red walking hoods — literally blows into town during a mystical wind. In this grown-up version of Poppins-meets-Pollyanna, the optimistic free spirit sets up shop the week before Lent and tries to convince a repressed bunch of churchgoers under the thumb of a really repressed provincial mayor (the Comte de Reynaud, an Aunt Polly type played by Alfred Molina) to lighten up and live a little. Her specialty? Chocolates from ancient Mayan recipes and a turn of a pre-Columbian wheel to help her predict her customers' favorites. As in Pollyanna, there's an Act Three break-free festival planned for the village, and an all-important first convert (Vianne's landlady, cranky Armande, played by Best Supporting Actress nominee Judi Dench), who becomes a co-conspirator in the plot to transform the townsfolk. There's also a spineless clergyman (Hugh O'Conor), whose sermons are guided and corrected by the High Repressor. After that, though, the similarities cease and the Chocolat gets darker.

Set in 1959 and shot in the sleepy French river village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Chocolat at its center is an indictment of rigid, pre-'60s Catholicism — especially the trap that the no-divorce tenet creates when a wife leaves her husband, as the Comte's did, or is beaten by her spouse, as with the tavernkeeper's wife. When the battered Josephine (Lena Olin, reunited with fellow Unbearable Lightness of Being alum Binoche) leaves her husband and seeks refuge at the Chocolaterie Maya, the animosity the Comte feels for Vianne takes a nasty turn, and a tragic one when the chocolatier befriends a kindred-spirit group of wandering river gypsies led by the rascally Roux (Johnny Depp). But the tone isn't overwhelmingly heavy at all. Like other magical realist works, Chocolat blends realistic and mystical ingredients in a concoction that's one part drama and one part deadpan comedy. The result? Magic.

A really feel-good film. Very different to the book and it would be confusing to read the sequel "The Lollipop Shoes" having seen the dvd of Chocolat and not read Joanne Harris's original book. Without giving too much away, the ending of the film is happier than that in the book, but not necessarily better. Johnny Depp with an Irish accent is a bit strange as in the book he is from Marseille. Also the Comte de Reynaud of the film is portrayed as the priest in the book. So beware - read the book too!

..This film is a wonderful adap of the book. The tale is spell binding and find yourself carught up in all the chocolet euorpia.

It's a wonderful tale of finding yourself and learning to live your life to the full. it's sweet without being too over the top liek some film's and the setting is beautyful. a truely wonderful and warm film that will leave you craveing something sweet ;)

I like the DVD as I knew the story, had read the book, had seen the film and wanted it for my film library. I decided to buy it on ebay (as I do most things!) as it was value for money and I didn't have to trawl round the shops with the kids. It is always nice having a package arrive on the doorstep - it feels like Christmas all over again!

Great feel good movie. Good casting. Nice adaptation of book. Johnny Depp looks particularly lovely girls.

this is aexelent film, I have watched It many times befor on the TV and decided I would like a copy of my own to watch when ever I want

A truly lovely film with intertwining characters and the gorgeous Johnny Depp too. A film you can watch over and over again without getting bored. Well filmed and set against a backdrop of rural vilage life in France, Chocolat tells the story of a woman with an iligitamate child who comes to a tight knitted community ruled over by the Mayor. She brings the delights of hand made chocolate with a touch of Mayan decadence that changes the lives of the village people. Johnny Depp plays a wandering riverboat Gypsy who captures her heart.Every time I watch this film it gives me a lovely warm glow and cheers me up on a rainy day.

I bought this cd to add to my "classics" collection. It is one I could watch again and again. I am also collecting all DVD's featuring Dame Judi Dench and as usual she gives a good performance. All the characters are so real and Albert Molino gives a sterling performance as the Mayor. He is both stern and humorous. The actors in this DVD are all well-known and take on their parts admirably, making this a truly enjoyable film. It is not a "chick-flick". I think if anyone liked Ladies in Lavender they would like this too.

This film is well worth the watch. Its funny and a beautiful film,well directed and well filmed.Johnny depp is his usuall self and acts his part well. the characters are well presented and you start to relate to them. Judy dench is great and you wouldnt expect anything less from her.

I bought the DVD after reading the book which I really enjoyed. The film is great in it's own right with a quite cast of stars; Jonny Depp, Judy Dench, Alfred Molina and Juliette Binoche to name a few.
What I disliked about 'Chocolat'is that although based on the book by Joanne Harris it bears very little resemblence to it. One of the film's main characters is completely replaced by one who never appeared in the book and I feel that this takes some of the reasoning away from the story and detracts away the ridiculousness and eventual hilarity of that characters downfall.
I would recommend watching the film first before reading the book.

I thought that the film was beautifully photographed and the acting was excellent. However, the plot was vastly inferior to the story in the book. I hated how the film changed the characters around and missed out several of the main themes. I would advise you to see the film before you read the book or, if you have read it, don't watch the film.

love this film so evocative and also gritty deeply moving at times and so funny at others its a must for any jonny depp collection.i highly recommend it!!

Bought the film as I have just read the book - loved both equally - they are a feast for the senses. Mouth-watering chocolate, catchy music, a small French town and it's subtle characters that gradually transform from grey and grim to life-affirmingly colourful and cheerful, and a little bit mischevious. Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp are great in the lead roles but it's the supporting cast that makes the film a delicious treat that can be enjoyed over and over.

Wonderful film about a little French village, whose 'tranqulite' is put to the test when Vianne arrives with her daughter Anouk. They set up and open a chocolatrie, just in time for lent. Vianne produces the most mouth-watering chocolates and begins to transfrom the lives of the people in the village. Also staring Judi Dench and Johnny Depp (looking as mouth-watering as the chocolates) this film is guaranteed to add a little sweetness to your life. Enjoy!

very good and happy with my buy would not knock it and anyone else who is thinking of buying similar has a very good idea think it is brilliant and i am over the moon with it to be honest.

Saw the film on television and wanted a personal copy to view again and again. With so many elements to the story there are always additional aspects that come to light on a repeat viewing. Light entertainment with added bite.

A superb story which has been done very well as a film, and I bought it because I have always loved this story/film, it's excellent.

loved the book, loved the film in spite of a few major changes (the kangaroo being the most annoying!) i would thoroughly recommend this film to any romantic and chocoholic too! also a great opportunity to see johnny depp as a pirate pre caribbean! fantastic feel good film.

Having watched this film on tv I just had to buy it! The film unfolds like a fairytale Juliette Binoche is "delicious" as the new owner of a chocolate shop -creating mouthwatering confections for the straitlaced villagers which appears to have a magical effect on them! With a brillient supporting cast including Alfred Molina, Dame Judi Dench and the oh so gorgeous Johnny Depp. This is a treat for everyone even those without a sweet tooth - go on give in to temptation and enjoy Chocolat!

Really good film, would recomend to everyone. First seen it on television then jumped at the chance to buy once i had seen it.

I heard of this film when it was released at cinema and was always curious as to what the story was but after many years of wondering I obtained the book from my local library. I loved it so much I just knew I had to see the film. I wasn't disappointed at all, it was just how I imagined it in my mind and thought that Johnny Depp was excellent. I would highly recommended this film to anyone who loves a great story with wit fun and love.

I liked the simple tale with little or no bad language or smuttiness. The story was charming and believable.
The quality of the DVD was also excellent.

I bought it because I thought it could promote discussion about Lent and sacrifice.

There was almost nothing I disliked about the film or DVD

I have wanted to see this film, as I am a Johnny Depp fan and have recently read the book.I didnt want too pay too much.I only use sellers with a very good feedback.The service was excellent and an easy transaction as I paid through paypal.It arrived well packaged in top condition within a few days and I had exchanged friendly emails with the seller.I have since watched it and enjoyed it very much.Both the seller and I left positive feedback and I would use them again.