Chocolat (2000 film)

Chocolat sheet

2000 American film

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Directed by	Lasse Hallström
Written by
Screenplay by	Robert Nelson Jacobs
Story by
Based on
Produced by	David Brown, Kit Golden, Leslie Holleran
Starring
Narrated by
Cinematography	Roger Pratt

Chocolat is a 2000 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Lasse Hallström. The screenplay by Robert Nelson Jacobs is based on the novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris. The film stars Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The story is set in a small French village and follows a woman who opens a chocolaterie during Lent, which causes a moral uproar in the community.

Plot

In the late 1950s, Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) travel across Europe. They arrive in a small, conservative French village and open a chocolaterie just as Lent begins. Vianne's confections quickly begin to change the lives of the townspeople, including the elderly Armande Voizin (Judi Dench) and her estranged daughter Caroline Clairmont (Carrie-Anne Moss).

The mayor, Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), is determined to shut down the chocolaterie, believing it to be a negative influence on the town. However, Vianne's kindness and the allure of her chocolates gradually win over the villagers. The arrival of a group of river gypsies, led by the charming Roux (Johnny Depp), further complicates matters.

Cast

• Juliette Binoche as Vianne Rocher
• Judi Dench as Armande Voizin
• Alfred Molina as Comte de Reynaud
• Lena Olin as Josephine Muscat
• Johnny Depp as Roux
• Carrie-Anne Moss as Caroline Clairmont
• Victoire Thivisol as Anouk Rocher
• Hugh O'Conor as Père Henri
• John Wood as Guillaume Blerot
• Leslie Caron as Madame Audel

Production

The film was shot in various locations in France, including the village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy, and on the Rue De L'Ancienne Poste in Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne. The film's score was composed by Rachel Portman, who received an Academy Award nomination for her work.

Reception

Chocolat received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing over $152 million worldwide. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Juliette Binoche, and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench.

Related Pages

• Lasse Hallström
• Juliette Binoche
• Judi Dench
• Johnny Depp
• Chocolat (novel)
• Miramax Films
• Rachel Portman