A very sweet movie. Excellent representation of a simple story represented in a powerful way. The village location is perfect for a old world slow lifestyle charm. Messaging is subtle and strong. Judi Dench's presence as always is royal and majestic. Juliette Binoche fits in perfectly in the lead role and has charming personality.Not very pleased with Alfred Molina's representation of the character Helene provides strong supporting presence. Johnny Depp has strong personality but does not overshadow the story.Speed of story telling is just right and I am sure the author would be pleased with the representation of his story in a memorable way.

I admit I'm not entirely objective when it comes to foodie movies. Being passionate about (good) food, give me a decent plot with lots of gorgeous food and it will be good in my book. But Lasse Halstrom's little confection is beyond that, still. A story of Vianne(Juliette Binoche), a single mother who moves into a quiet little French town with her daughter and opens a chocolaterie during lent upsetting the spirits in the otherwise peaceful and pious community by bringing a breeze of something different and delicious into the lives of the locals, also solving some of their problems along the way, like wife abuse, mother- daughter issues and elderly romance. However, Vianne finds her nemesis in Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), the town's major who's determined to keep his community devote and away from Vianne's sinfully delicious temptations. When the river rats, headed by Roux(Johnny Depp) come along,the situation reaches its boiling point. Let's start with the (numerous) good sides of the film. The cinematography is amazing, the little town looks like it's enchanted, and Rachel Portman's wonderful soundtrack certainly supports the impression. The cast is equally impressive: Judy Dench, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Afred Molina and Johnny Depp add considerable wattage to the story. Especially the delicate Binoche, who succeeds in making Vianne very life-like and sympathetic. Dench's sarcastic grandmother provides a great contrast to her boring daughter(Carrie- Ann Moss). The scene with the poetry book is almost equally Oscar-worthy as her famous "too late" from Shakespeare in Love. As for the weak sides of the film, the characters are structured in a very flat, b/w sort of way, and it seems their only function is embodying stereotypes (the conservative mayor, the free-thinking confectioner, the cynical old lady)and provide contrasts to each other. Do make sure you have a substantial amount of chocolate pralines while watching, otherwise it will feel like the confectionery equivalent of water-boarding. I could watch this all over again.

I think the movie was warm and enjoyable. I highly recommend this movie. I think the movie has secret fantastical elements. The fact that the mother and the daughter always change their place due to a some kind of tradition, and also the red cloaks, they wear during traveling, make the movie a little fantastical. I think this movie would be a good story to tell kids before they sleep:)I will tell mine if I have one:) Juliette Binoche had really a great performance. She lets the audience easily believe that she is such a warm and sweet person. It was touching that The grandmother and the grandson see each other secretly and love each other very much. When you see how happy they are together you just hate the mother, who separates them ruthlessly. Watch this movie and you will enjoy magical rural France without going there! You will find yourselves in a fairytale place.

Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter move to a rural conservative French town and open a chocolate shop. The town is run by the mayor Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina) who is a traditionalist. He is not amused by Vianne's life and her ideas. They start to fight for the soul of the town. Then a band of gypsies comes to town with the sexy Roux (Johnny Depp).It's a slow moving story. It has its charms, and Juliette Binoche is as lovely as ever. The actors are all great. Although Lena Olin is miscast as an abused wife. The role needs a more mousy actor. Lena is way too powerful for the role.The movie is a sort of talky lyrical erotic fable, and it starts with the glow that Binoche gives off. The comedy is fleeting. The battle between Reynaud and Rocher doesn't have the needed tension. It does have heart. But the pacing is slow for a two hours movie. Johnny Depp is a cool river traveling musician, and comes in a little too late in the movie. When he comes in after almost half of the movie over, he mostly distracts. Overall, this movie is a little too slow for my taste.