Chocolat – A

Certain movies are meant to be seen with someone you care about. This is one of them. My friend Rich informed me that I might want to save it for a sweetie, but I’m a sucker for chocolate, so I had to indulge. Chocolat, directed by Lasse Hallström, is a sentimental heart warmer. The cast should project as much, as well as the subject.

Juliette Binoche plays Vianne Rocher, a mother constantly on the move with her young daughter, until they find a small French village to set up shop. Vianne opens a chocolate shop in the middle of lent, putting her at odds with the church, and majority of the town. The film explores appealing to people’s better side, much like Amelie did a year after this film’s release.

Chocolate is something that brings most of us together (I’m sorry for those of you allergic, I truly am). Binoche is charming, and acts beautifully. It is no surprise to me that she was nominated for best actress. Dench lends her expertise and gets nominated for best supporting. The ability to take so much suffering away, with the smiles and warmness created by chocolate and it’s chocolatier, is a great way to spend your holiday movie rental.

Depp gives us a cameo as the love interest, his Irish accent is clever and fun but the towns people dislike him because he’s a river pirate (yea…I know, more pirates) He doesn’t pillage though, he simply lives upon a boat with his daughter. It’s films like these that made me a big Depp fan. His subtle ability to capture a character is great.

Joe Wright directs this flavorful adventure. He has an aptitude for feelings and each one is felt. I’m happy I watched this after Sweeney Todd, it was a great film to watch before sleep. If you have some chocolate or better yet hot chocolate in this chilly weather enjoy a sentimental throw back to the better Depp.