OK I admit it. I like European movies. Mostly because compared to the usual US productions they are untrivial in subject matter, and have original cinematography and acting. Sadly, 'Chocolat' is not one of those. The movie is bound to have you feel good when you leave the theatre. However, I have seen enough of 'feel-good' movies to require something else to enjoy one--some originality perhaps?
The good parts of the movie are the setting and the cast, but the cinematographer does not manage to do anything special with eihter. Indeed, it seems that the primary technique to amuse the viewer is to do a close-up on Juliette Binoche (always wearing red, with bright red lipstick) and hold it there: look, isn't she beautiful. As to the plot... cheesy and predictable. I am not religious, but as many others. I also find that attacks on Christian values are a little bit out of place. If you want to make a movie about hypocrisies of religion, you can deal with the topic thoroughly--otherwise the cartoonish portrayal of Christian life is enough to offend the believer but not enough to make it believable.
And lastly--what was Johnny Depp doing in the film???
The good parts of the movie are the setting and the cast, but the cinematographer does not manage to do anything special with eihter. Indeed, it seems that the primary technique to amuse the viewer is to do a close-up on Juliette Binoche (always wearing red, with bright red lipstick) and hold it there: look, isn't she beautiful. As to the plot... cheesy and predictable. I am not religious, but as many others. I also find that attacks on Christian values are a little bit out of place. If you want to make a movie about hypocrisies of religion, you can deal with the topic thoroughly--otherwise the cartoonish portrayal of Christian life is enough to offend the believer but not enough to make it believable.
And lastly--what was Johnny Depp doing in the film???