 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Chocolat
- Review Date: May 2, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Fabulous French fairy tale for teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Vianne never married her daughter's father, and that in a flashback we see that she and her own mother left her father to wander. Vianne gives some chocolates to one woman to use as an aphrodisiac, and we see the gleam in her husband's eye as he watches her, after he eats them. Later, a dog who eats some of the chocolates is similarly inspired (brief shot of dogs having sex). There are mild sexual situations with brief and inexplicit nudity. There is some social drinking and a scary fire (no one hurt). A character dies peacefully.
What's the story?
This choice little fairy tale takes place in rural France, in an isolated village overseen by the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), who makes sure everyone keeps to the straight and (very) narrow. Enter mysterious, red-cloaked Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol), who boldly open up a chocolate shop during Lent. Aghast, the Comte tries to keep customers away. But Vianne always seems to know just what people need, giving everyone the kind of chocolate they can't resist and improving the lives of her grumpy landlord Amande (Judi Dench), and the troubled Josephine (Lena Olin). When a group of itinerants dock their houseboats in town, Vianne befriends Roux (Johnny Depp), which proves too much for the Compte and his sidekick, Josephine's husband Serge. Both the Compte and Vianne have to confront near disaster and their own fears, and the village's young priest must find a way to become a true spiritual leader for the community.
Is it any good?
This whimsical little story is as delicious as its chocolates, with a terrific score and lots of great issues for family discussion.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why the Compte is so threatened by Vianne and her chocolates. He seems to feel that his efforts to keep himself and others from feeling joy and passion will help him avoid sadness (and dishonor) from the desertion of his wife. Why do Vianne and Roux wander? Why is there one person whose favorite she can not guess? What is the significance of Anouk's imaginary friend? Why is Armande's daughter so angry with her? What do you think about the priest's conclusion that we are judged by what we do and those we embrace rather than by what we stay away from and those we exclude? Families might also want to talk about what some of the names mean in English. For example, reynaud means fox and roux is the base that holds a soufflé together.
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AGE
Beautiful and poignant, yet not with a heavy hand
This film, is beyond amazing. It's message - that acceptance of those with differences is important, and that tradition is not infallible, has been delivered many different times, via many different mediums. However, this film sprinkles such an important message with realism, believable characters, amazing performances by the likes of Depp, Binoche, Dench, and Olin, and a light, yet essential layer of romanticism, making the two hours of your life required to view it seem like all of ten unbelievable minutes.
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AGE
very dramatic
im in french 2 and every year we watch it..... awesome movie!!! cant wait till we watch it again!!
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AGE
A nice little movie
This is just a nice, quirky, and funny movie. There isn't anything "bad" in it and JOHNNY DEPP IS IN IT! He doesn't show up until about half the movie is over though. Perfect for a family movie night, because it has a good message for kids and adults and teens won't get bored.
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AGE
Everyone of a certain age should see
My parents are on the more strict side, but since they loved the movie the first time I saw it my eyes were covered for a few parts. However, when I saw it recently, it wasn't bad sexually or whatever. The violence is a little scary, but nothing too bad. SUCH A GOOD MOVIE. Deffenitly worth seeing. Great movie with lots of amazing acting!
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AGE
Perfection for the whole fam!
I loved this movie sooo much I even read the book! Its good for guys and girls above 8 coz of mild sensuality and a very brief scene of violence
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AGE
It IT A PERFECT movie for the whole family!! Just a mild sensuality scene two body ojumping on each other shoulders shown. But apart for
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AGE
I was surprised.
I'm a guy who doesn't go for these kinds of movies. Let's put it this way...my mom talked me into seeing it. I told her I would rather watch something else, but then she made me feel guilty for saying no...so there I was, watching this movie...this really great movie! I was surprised at how well the plot was put together, and how all the little details fit. It gave a positive message, and I liked all the characters. The sex scene was brief, but the nudity should have been listed on the rating. Warning: there were a few pelvic thrusts. But it didn't last for more than 10 seconds. Because of the picture on the DVD box, I expected it to be a romance, but it really wasn't. If you're a guy like me who would rather watch movies with guns and blood, try watching this movie, just to be different. It's much better than you would think.
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AGE
Fun, Sweet Fairytale/Chick-Flick
Chocolat is a sumptuous French fairy-tale filled with magic, romance, and a good deal of delicious-looking chocolate! The story is original and captivating, and the messages about tolerance and enjoying life are excellent. There is some violence: we see a nasty bruise inflicted on a woman by her husband, a man commits arson (we see people screaming), a man breaks into a house and attacks three women, and townspeople are frighteningly xenophobic. There is also some (tasteful) sex: we see a couple from the shoulders up, moaning, another couple barely-covered by a sheet, and a third pair in shadow. There are also several discussions of chocolate's power to evoke passion. The nasty, intolerant people of the film become nice, and there is a "happily ever after" ending. Altogether, Chocolat is one of the most fabulous fairy-tales for teens and up.
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| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Lasse Hallstrom |
| Cast: | Alfred Molina, Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 121 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 15, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | August 7, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | a scene of sensuality and some violence |
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