This Movie is Rated PG-13 – For a Scene of Sensuality and Some Violence
This movie takes place in 1959, in a small village located in the French countryside (it was filmed in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, which is absolutely gorgeous). It is a place steeped in tradition. Everyone is expected to know his or her place and act accordingly. Attending Sunday Mass (at the only church in the village) is pretty much a requirement. The Mayor, Comte de Raynaud (Alfred Molina), is a very controlling individual. He goes so far as to totally re-write Pere Henri’s (Hugh O’Conor) sermons every Sunday to make sure they give the message that he wants.
One very windy Sunday, things start to change in the village. This is due to the arrival of Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol). They are very different from the others that live there. Wearing brightly colored clothing, not attending church and on top of that, she is also a woman that has never been married but has a child.
Vianne rents out the local patisserie, which is currently vacant. She turns it into a chocolaterie that she opens during the Lenten fast. Of course, this does not go over well with the Mayor. He decides that she is a bad influence and sets his sights on turning the village against her, thus putting her out of business. He is very powerful and it doesn’t take long for gossip about Vianne to make its way around the village and for people to start avoiding her shop.
However, she manages to makes some allies along the way. Armande (Judi Dench) an elderly woman that also happens to be her landlord. Roux (Johnny Depp) an Irish Gypsy that travels the waterways in his boat. Josephine (Lena Olin) a woman who has an abusive husband. There are wonderful scenes with Vianne and each of these characters.
Both the characters of Vianne and Armande are very strong, independent females. Things may not always go their way and they may get down at times, but they stick to their ideals. They don’t just blindly follow the status quo. Juliette and Judi are terrific. Both are wonderful actors that bring such integrity and believability to their parts.
Ok, I must say, even though Johnny gets a high billing in this movie, he is not in it very much. He’s in it for a half-hour at the most. That being said, I do love his part. It’s hard to believe he could be any sexier than he is as “Roux” the charming, guitar playing, Irish Gypsy (complete with an Irish accent). Before you ask, yes, that is actually Johnny playing (he’s good isn’t he?).
I really enjoy this movie and think it has a good message. The theme is really about accepting people that are different than you and also about staying true to yourself even when it makes it harder to fit in. It is fable-like with chocolate being used as the “magic” ingredient to transform people and help them find their true selves.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Vianne – “Pantoufle is her kangaroo.”
Anouk – “But he can’t hop.”
Vianne – “Bad leg. War injury, huh?”
Boy #1 – “I heard she’s an atheist.”
Boy #2 – “What’s that.”
Boy #1 – “Don’t know.”
Armande – “She won’t let me see my grandson. I’m cut-off from him.
Vianne – “Why is that?”
Armande – “Oh, I’m a bad influence. ‘Cause I don’t like her treating him like a trained poodle. I swear, that boy doesn’t piss without her permission.”
Guillaume – “Well, but if Charly has no soul … then there’s no harm in him breaking Lent. Isn’t that so, Mon Pere?”
Roux – “I’d like to apologize. For all of us. Sincerely.”
Vianne – “What for?”
Roux – “For whatever it is you’re here to accuse us of.”
Armande – “I’m an embarrassment to her. I swear, I read dirty books. I eat and drink what I like.”
Pere Henri – “Listen, here’s what I think. I think we can’t go around measuring our goodness by what we don’t do. By what we deny ourselves, what we resist and who we exclude. I think we’ve got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create and who we include.”
Jan
P.S. Comments are welcomed. Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”. Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.
Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
I really liked Vianne and Roux’s relationship. They are kindred spirits that can relate to each other. They have had similar lifestyles, constantly traveling about. Neither of them fitting in at the towns they visit, where they are often received with hostility.
The party scene for Armande’s birthday was one of my favorites. There are so many great parts, the shock and then eventual acceptance of Roux attending. Luc sneaking out so he can be there for his grandmother’s birthday. The party moving down to Roux’s boat for dessert, music and dancing; with everyone enjoying each other’s company without any judgement.
You’ve gotta love it when the Mayor finally loses it and ends up gorging himself on the chocolate in the window display. Vianne could have totally used this to her advantage and embarrassed him in front of the whole village, but she doesn’t. Instead she wakes him up, helps him out and says that she won’t tell anyone about it.
Tags: alfred molina, chocolate, dvd, french, hugh o-conor, johnny Depp, judi dench, juliette binoche, lena olin, movie, review
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