Director: Lasse Halstrom
Starring: Judi Dench, Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Britain have created a legacy as strong as Judi Dench. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Dench has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s courageous spy managers, political leaders or destructive lovers, Dench has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Dench’s strength as an actress has often been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has always had a talent for stealing the show in small roles with limited screen-time. Despite reaching age of retirement, Dench has seldom lost her passion for entertainment. An actress that is British, Dench has become an icon that audiences cherish. Although she is best known for her renowned role as M in the James Bond films, Dench has proven she can excel in every genre. Throughout her commemorated career, Dench has manufactured several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dench and adore all the films which she has created in her career. However, “Chocolat” is my favourite. Released in 2000, Lasse Halstrom’s movie offered a captivating adaptation of an iconic book. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s one of the best literary adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Judi Dench, who embodies a chocolate maker enduring tension. Ultimately, what makes “Chocolat” a masterpiece is bold appeal. Unlike most movies about chocolates, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing adaptation of a celebrated book, there are many reasons why “Chocolat” is a commemorated film worth watching.
Based on the beloved book, “Chocolat” tells a story of a store which sells chocolate. Juliette Binoche portrays Vianne Rocher, a mother that seeks to care for a chocolate store which she has grown to adore. Vianne has always been extremely passionate about her businesses of selling chocolate. However, Rocher’s dreams of becoming a successful chocolatier become threatened when she faces competition which causes disaster. Facing challenging customers such as Armande Voizin (Judi Dench), Rocher is forced to question whether it is possible for her to accomplish the huge dreams that she os seeking. As all the odds are stacked are soon stacked against her favour, Rocher questions if it is truly possible for her to become a wealthy chocolate maker.
Lasse Halstrom has often been fascinated with stories of small towns. A legendary filmmaker, Halstrom has often made movies about small towns which face disaster. His movie “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” offered an awe-inspiring look at dysfunctional families in a small town. With “Chocolat”, however, Hallstrom directed his first chocolate producing drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of chocolate makers which face adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using breathtaking cinematography, Hallstrom captures a family seeking to run a chocolate business in a small country. Hallstrom effectively uses montages to capture a broken family that seeks to run a business. For instance, montages enhance the chocolate business opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vianne opens her store for the first time. Through stunning montages, Hallstrom crafts a portrait of chocolate that’s engaging. Montages aren’t simple to use in movies. As Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale” suggested, montages elevate James Bond films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Hallstrom captures tensions chocolate makers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Chocolat” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Hallstrom effectively uses settings of small towns to capture tensions chocolate makers are facing. For instance, the setting of the small town enhances the chocolate maker scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vianne becomes aware of the consequences coming with opening up chocolate business. Through small town settings, Hallstrom crafts a portrait of strong chocolate makers that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is phenomenal. Rachel Portman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an engrossing atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that businesses bear. Using captivating production, Hallstrom captures chocolate makers enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Chocolat” is a movie about cooking which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of chocolate makers facing tension. Throughout the movie, Vianne endures intense competition affected her ability to run chocolate business. For instance, silence enhances the chocolate store failure scene. During this heartfelt scene, Vianne discovers that her shop hasn’t gained financial wealth for months causing tensions. Through silence, Hallstrom crafts a portrait of chocolate makers that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Richard Eyre’s “Notes on a Scandal” demonstrated, silence enhances movies about scandalous teachers. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Hallstrom captures the lives of cooks facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Judi Dench delivers one of her best career performances as Armande Voizin. Dench earned appreiceiron for playing aristocratic women in period dramas. With “Chocolat”, however, she took on her most complex role. It’s not easy to play a woman that seeks to manage competitive chocolate business, but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most colourful role. Dench has often excelled at portraying emotional women in stress, and “Chocolat” showcased her strength as an actress. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actresses in a Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Judi Dench, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of praise. Johnny Depp is dazzling, bringing romantic energy to an author falling in love with a chocolate maker facing adversity. Alfred Molina is amazing, capturing charisma of a senior that seeks to sell chocolates in a town enduring a dilemma. Lastly, Carrie-Anne Moss merits recognition. As an elderly woman, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Chocolat” would achieve the praise of everyone for capturing chocolate makers that Unlike most movies about chocolate makers, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including bravery, mental health and romance that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about the importance of dreams which would absolutely resonate with everyone.
Fans of Judi Dench would absolutely enjoy “Chocolat” and so would movie-gofers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting adaptation of an iconic book, it honours an actress that’s fantastic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking romantic comedy about women seeking to sell delicious chocolate, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated British actress that has never lost her abilities to captivate through portraying compelling characters in unforgettable movies audiences appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 