Directed by Lasse Hallström
Written by Robert Nelson Jacobs
Cinematography by Roger Pratt

Juliette Binoche as Vianne Rocher Lena Olin as Josephine Muscat Johnny Depp as Roux Judi Dench as Amande Voizin Alfred Molina as Comte de Reynaud Peter Stormare as Serge Muscat Carrie-Anne Moss as Caroline Claimont Leslie Caron as Madame Audel John Wood as Guillaume Bierot Hugh O'Conor as Pere Henri Victoire Thivisol as Anouk Rocher Aurelien Parent-Koening as Luc Clairmont

Running Time: 121 min.
Release Date: Dec. '00

Overall Call:
Chocolat was everything I expected, a sweeping tale of the shunned newcomer with tricks up her sleeve to rebuff even the most fervent detractors. Lasse Hallström's second effort did not strike as strong of a chord as his first (Cider House Rules). He has been consistent so far though at getting strong performances from his actors or perhaps just fortunate with solid casting. For me the story sometimes seemed to try a bit too hard with the old visual metaphors. All in all the film is a simple chick flick that doesn't really venture anywhere that catches you off guard. A well told fairy tale.

Reasons For Recommendation:
+ Visually pleasing
+ Predictable story that the actors make interesting
+ An example of a chick flick that guys can give in to seeing.