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Chocolat
Chocolate-box adaptation of international bestseller about the struggle between liberation and conservatism. With Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp
A Hollywood Swede directing an international cast in an adaptation of an Englishwoman's novel that's set in France. Is this a recipe for success? The talent's certainly there: director Lasse Hallström's The Cider House Rules garnered numerous awards, and the line-up of French institution Binoche, British grande dame Dench, American actor-with-integrity Depp, upcoming talent Moss and various international character actors (Molina, Stormare, Mrs Hallstöm Olin) smells good. Dealing with intolerance, Chocolat opens with the upstanding Reynaud (Molina) welcoming the faithful to church in the small French town where he is mayor. During mass, Vianne Rocher (Binoche) and her daughter Anouk (Thivisol) arrive in town, their red capes emphasising the idea introduced by the film's "Once upon a time..." narration that this is a fairy tale, a fable. When Rocher opens a chocolaterie, during Lent no less, it's a considerable affront to Reynaud, staunch defender of the status quo. He denounces her, dividing the town. Cranky old Armande (Dench) and abused wife Josephine (Olin), plus sundry fans of her hot chocolate, side with Rocher, who even befriends visiting gypsies, led by Roux (Depp). Joanne Harris' source novel had a certain verve, which offset the simplicity of its liberating goodies versus oppressive baddies theme. This is maintained in the movie. The message of shaking off reactionary forces is fumbled slightly, however, by the simplistic alignment of personal liberation with sensual indulgence. This is Hollywood trying to capture a European sensibility for middle-Americans. The result is good-looking but blandly unadventurous, lacking the magical realism of the similarly themed Like Water For Chocolate. As a message of liberal decency, however, it's sweet enough. |
