By Mauricio Minotta
Story
Things haven't changed much in this small town where everyone faithfully
goes to mass each week and widows stay dressed in black for life. Enter
Vianne (
Binoche), a single mother with ancient Mayan chocolate recipes that
awaken the villagers out of their "slumber" and revive their deepest
desires. Soon after they taste Vianne's delightful chocolates, grumpy
couples are making love like newlyweds, estranged relatives are speaking to
one another once again and a battered wife finds the strength to stand up
for herself. This causes change in a town that has remained the same since
the World War I - change that the mayor is adamant on putting a stop to,
personally.
Acting
Binoche's Vianne is a delight to watch on the big screen, playing a
complicated character filled with wisdom, strength, grace and the tenderness
of a mother.
Judi Dench's portrayal of a hard-nosed landlord eager to spend
time with her estranged grandson provides the right blend of comical relief
in this gem.
Johnny Depp provides plenty of sex appeal as the drifter who
brings more "trouble" to the town, but offers little depth to his character.
Direction
Director
Lasse Hallstrom's follow-up to
The Cider House Rules is a true
winner and deserving of an Oscar nomination. The story of how a single woman
and her sweet delicacies can have such a profound impact on a staunch, rigid
town captivates with real-life drama and light comic relief. Although
Binoche is the messenger, Hallstrom never lets the viewer forget what's at
the core of this sweet tale and the remedy to the villagers' disease: the
rich sweet taste of Vianne's chocolate. From the kitchen scenes where Vianne
stirs the creamy brown liquid to her beautifully decorated shop, the
tantalizing chocolate is never far from the camera's lens.