Chocolat (2000)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Joanne Harris (based on the novel by)
Robert Nelson Jacobs (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A comic fable from the director of "The Cider House Rules".

Plot:

A woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community.

Plot Keywords:

Chocolate | France | Lent | 1960s | Church

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Alfred Molina	...	Comte de Reynaud
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Caroline Clairmont
Aurelien Parent Koenig	...	Luc Clairmont (as Aurèlien Parent Koenig)
Antonio Gil	...	Jean-Marc Drou (as Antonio Gil-Martinez)
Hélène Cardona	...	Francoise Drou
Harrison Pratt	...	Dedou Drou
Gaelan Connell	...	Didi Drou
Elisabeth Commelin	...	Yvette Marceau
Ron Cook	...	Alphonse Marceau
Guillaume Tardieu	...	Baptiste Marceau
Hugh O'Conor	...	Pere Henri
John Wood	...	Guillaume Blerot
Lena Olin	...	Josephine Muscat
Peter Stormare	...	Serge Muscat
Leslie Caron	...	Madame Audel
Juliette Binoche	...	Vianne
Victoire Thivisol	...	Anouk Rocher
Judi Dench	...	Armande Voizin
Michèle Gleizer	...	Madame Rivet
Dominique MacAvoy	...	Madame Pouget (as Dominique Mac'Avoy)
Arnaud Adam	...	George Rocher
Christianne Oliveira	...	Chitza (as Christianne Gadd)
Johnny Depp	...	Roux
Marion Hauducoeur	...	Gati
Esteban Antonio	...	Thin Grizzled Man
J.J. Holiday	...	Musician
Malcolm Ross	...	Musician
Ged Barry	...	Musician
Iain Stoddart	...	Musician
Sally Taylor-Isherwood	...	Re-voicing (voice)
Tatyana Yassukovich	...	Storyteller (voice)
Sally the Dog	...	Charly the Dog (as Sally)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dominique Delany	...	Countess (uncredited)

Directed by
Lasse Hallström

Writing credits (WGA)
Joanne Harris		(based on the novel by)
Robert Nelson Jacobs		(screenplay)

Produced by
Alan C. Blomquist	....	executive producer
David Brown	....	producer
Mark Cooper	....	co-producer
Kit Golden	....	producer
Leslie Holleran	....	producer
Meryl Poster	....	executive producer
Michelle Raimo	....	co-executive producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Rachel Portman		(music by)

Cinematography by
Roger Pratt		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Andrew Mondshein

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Billy Hopkins
Suzanne Smith

Production Design by
David Gropman

Art Direction by
Lucy Richardson

Set Decoration by
Stephanie McMillan		(as Stephenie McMillan)

Costume Design by
Renee Ehrlich Kalfus		(as Renée Ehrlich Kalfus)

Makeup Department
Helen Barrett	....	hair and make up artist
Christine Beveridge	....	hair and make up artist (as Chrissie Beveridge)
Naomi Donne	....	hair & make-up designer
Sallie Jaye	....	hair and make up artist
Ray Marston	....	wigs supplied by (as Ray Marsden)
Peter Owen	....	wigs supplied by
Toni-Ann Walker	....	hair: Johnny Depp (as Toni Walker)
Norma Webb	....	senior hair & make-up artist
Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou	....	hair and make up artist (as Lizzie Georgiou)
Patty York	....	make-up: Johnny Depp

Production Management
Stephen Barker	....	post-production supervisor: UK
Mark Cooper	....	unit production manager
Ginette Mejinsky	....	unit production manager: France
Bob Osher	....	executive in charge of production
Alicia Sams	....	post-production supervisor
Georges Barrier-Carron	....	assistant unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dominique Delany	....	first assistant director: France
Stephen P. Dunn	....	first assistant director
Richard Graysmark	....	second second assistant director
Mark Layton	....	second assistant director

Art Department
David Abbott	....	carpenter
Simon Alderton	....	stand-by rigger
Peter Andrews	....	stagehand
Keith Batterbee	....	rigger
Steven Bell	....	metalworker
Roy Biggs	....	stagehand
Brian Blues	....	carpenter
Nick Bowen	....	painter (as Nicholas Bowan)
Mark Brady	....	stand-by carpenter
Gary Burkhardt	....	carpenter
John Butler	....	painter
Darren Caen	....	carpenter
Noel Campbell	....	carpenter
Benoît Clémenceau	....	prop buyer: France (as Benoit Clémenceau)
Stan Cook	....	property storeman
Thomas Davies	....	carpenter
Leonard Day	....	carpenter
Joe Dipple	....	prop dresser
Gill Ducker	....	property buyer
Sid Ejjayha	....	metalworker (as Said Ejjayha)
John Fettus	....	metalworker (as Joah Fettus)
John Field	....	supervising rigger
Steve Fitzwater	....	assistant construction manager (as Steven Fitzwater)
James Foster	....	stand-by art director
John Frankish	....	supervising art director
Karl George	....	carpenter
Matthew Gray	....	draughtsman (as Matt Gray)
Christine Greaves	....	home economist
Alan Grenham	....	stand-by painter
Peter Grove	....	carpenter
Wayne Hammond	....	carpenter
Salonge Hartman	....	greens: France
Darren Hayward	....	carpenter
Norrie Henderson	....	metalworker
Terry Higgs	....	rigger
Michael Howlett	....	supervising metalworker
Emily Howsam	....	art department runner
Gary Ixer	....	stand-by propsman
Richard Jones	....	carpenter
Paul Lawlor	....	carpenter
Coralie Lew	....	art department assistant
Kevin Lloyd	....	stagehand
Anna-Maria Lund	....	scenic artist
Mary Luther	....	home economist
Ged Lyden	....	carpenter (as Ged Lydeh)
Louise Marzaroli	....	art director: France
David Mayhew	....	carpenter
Eddie Murphy	....	carpenter
John Murray	....	metalworker
James Newell	....	painter
Gary Nixon	....	construction accountant
Eddie O'Neill	....	stand-by stagehand
Daniel O'Regan	....	carpenter
Colin Osgood	....	carpenter
Nick Pearce	....	painter
Dave Philpott	....	carpenter (as David Philpot)
Laurent Piron	....	assistant art director: France
Martin Reed	....	metalworker
Brian Reilly	....	supervising painter
Jason Reilly	....	painter
Malcolm Roberts	....	construction manager
Shirley Robinson	....	art department coordinator
Roderick Ross	....	carpenter
Bernard Ryan	....	carpenter
Lee Sandales	....	assistant set decorator
Eddie Sansom	....	rigger (as Edward Sansom)
Mel Sansom	....	rigger (as Melvin Sansom)
Nick Sargent	....	carpenter
Jason Seers	....	metalworker
Keith Smith	....	chargehand stagehand
Lee Smith	....	carpenter
Paul Smith	....	stagehand
Richard Smith	....	sculptor
Jim Staines	....	storyboard artist
Gerry Stewart	....	carpenter
Laurence Thomas	....	rigger
Leigh Thurbon	....	carpenter
Sarah 'Toad' Tozer	....	draughtsman (as Toad Tozer)
Robert Voysey	....	supervising plasterer
Peter Wallis	....	prop dresser
James Warren	....	painter
Tony Wass	....	metalworker
Stephen Watts	....	chargehand plasterer
Graham Weames	....	supervising carpenter
Barry Wilkinson	....	property master
Jamie Wilkinson	....	chargehand dressing props
Simon Wilkinson	....	chargehand stand-by propsman
Roger Willis	....	carpenter
Stuart Willis	....	stagehand
Alec Burnham	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Andrew Garnet-Lawson	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Saskia Green	....	art department assistant (uncredited)
Laurent Saimond	....	props buyer (uncredited)
Dicken Warner	....	thatcher (uncredited)

Sound Department
Mike Anderson	....	foley recordist (as Michael Anderson)
David Bell	....	sound intern
David Boulton	....	adr mixer
Frank Cadden	....	adr recordist
Kyrsten Mate Comoglio	....	sound effects editor
Eric Dachs	....	assistant sound editor
Tom Fleischman	....	re-recording mixer
Brian Gallagher	....	adr recordist
Aura Gilge	....	sound effects editor
Mick Gormaley	....	assistant sound editor (as Mick Gromaley)
Andrew Griffiths	....	sound maintenance
Bradford L. Hohle	....	sound consultant: Dolby
Michael Kirchberger	....	sound designer
Michael Kirchberger	....	supervising sound editor
Dan Korintus	....	sound editor
Terrance Laudermilch	....	re-recordist (as Terry Laudemilch)
Jim McBride	....	sound assistant
Jane McCulley	....	adr editor
Jeremy Molod	....	foley editor
Everett Moore	....	apprentice sound editor
Marnie Moore	....	foley artist
Chris Munro	....	production sound mixer
Douglas Murray	....	adr recordist (as Doug Murray)
Larry Oatfield	....	foley editor
Bob Olari	....	re-recordist
Margie O'Malley	....	foley artist
Richard Quinn	....	dialogue editor (as Rich Quinn)
Alex Raspa	....	adr recordist
Frank Rinella	....	foley mixer
Sam Sarkar	....	sound assistant: Johnny Depp
Larry Schalit	....	dialogue editor
Jeffrey Stern	....	sound editor (as Jeff Stern)
Dominick Tavella	....	re-recording mixer
Andy Thompson	....	adr recordist: London
Roland Vajs	....	assistant adr editor
Deborah Wallach	....	adr editor
Jennifer L. Ware	....	sound effects editor (as Jennifer Ware)
Mary Works	....	assistant sound editor
Paul J. Zydel	....	adr mixer (as Paul Zydel)
Kay Denmark	....	adr boom operator (uncredited)
Dan Gleich	....	sound effects recordist (uncredited)
Henry Godding Jr.	....	adr recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Stuart Brisdon	....	special effects supervisor
Mark Haddenham	....	special effects senior technician
Steve Benelisha	....	special effects crew (uncredited)
James Davis III	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Peter Haran	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Graham Hills	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Lawrence Michael	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Mark Bakowski	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Helen Ball	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Angus Cameron	....	digital supervisor: Mill Film
Brenda Coxon	....	visual effects production accountant: Mill Film
Mathew D'Angibau	....	visual effects clapper loader: Mill Film (as Matthew d'Angibau)
Sean Danischevsky	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
John Grant	....	scan & record: Mill Film
Antony Hunt	....	visual effects producer: Mill Film
Katherine Lofting	....	production assistant: Mill Film
Rick Mietkowski	....	visual effects cameraman: Mill Film
Alice Mitchell	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Daniel Pettipher	....	digital manager: Mill Film (as Dan Pettipher)
David Sewell	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Andy Stevens	....	visual effects focus puller: Mill Film (as Andrew Stevens)
Sally Clayton	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Neil Harrison	....	senior systems administrator (uncredited)
Kieron Helsdon	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Paula Pope	....	digital coordinator (uncredited)

Stunts
Sarah Franzl	....	stunt double: Juliette Binoche (uncredited)
Richard Hammatt	....	stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Mark Lisbon	....	stunt double: Johnny Depp (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
David Appleby	....	still photographer
Jeremy Braben	....	aerial photographer
Trevor Coop	....	camera operator
Perry Cullen	....	electrician
Warren Ewen	....	electrician
Chuck Finch	....	gaffer
Stephen Finch	....	electrician
Will Finch	....	electrician (as William Finch)
Guy Frost	....	clapper loader
Dan Garlick	....	grip assistant: FT2
Amy Gilliam	....	camera trainee
Alan Grosch	....	electrician
Johan Hallström	....	video assist operator
Mike Lloyd	....	focus puller: second unit
Colin Manning	....	grip
Graham Martyr	....	focus puller
Billy Merrell	....	best boy (as Bill Merrell)
Spencer Murray	....	clapper loader: second unit
Nick Pearson	....	crane grip: second unit
Mike Roberts	....	camera operator
Nick Schlesinger	....	director of photography: second unit
James Swanson	....	camera assistant: aerial photography (as Jim Swanson)
Elliot Thomas	....	electrician (as Elliott Thomas)
Andy Thomson	....	crane operator: second unit
Alf Tramontin	....	steadicam operator: second unit
Vincent Blasco	....	key grip (uncredited)
Wick Finch	....	gaffer: second unit (uncredited)
Brandon Lott	....	additional videographer (uncredited)
Spencer Murray	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Peter Myslowski	....	camera grip: second unit (uncredited)
François Perrault-Alix	....	grip (uncredited)
Nick Schlesinger	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Gordon Segrove	....	second clapper loader: France (uncredited)
Oliver Ward	....	camera technician: Wescam camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Vanessa Baker	....	casting: loop group
Mark Bennett	....	casting associate: New York (as Mark Bennet)
Antoinette Boulat	....	additional casting: France
Marty Cherrix	....	additional casting: US (as Marty Cherix)
Molly Clayton	....	casting associate: New York
Deborah Maxwell Dion	....	casting associate: Los Angeles (as Deborah Maxwell-Dion)
Brendan Donnison	....	casting: loop group
Amy Hubbard	....	casting: UK (as Amy Maclean)
John Hubbard	....	casting: UK
Ros Hubbard	....	casting: UK
Andreas Meszaros	....	extras casting director: France

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jenny Hawkins	....	costume assistant
Sarah Higbid	....	costume buyer
Andrew Hunt	....	costume assistant
Joe Kowalewski	....	costume assistant
Jane Law	....	costume maker
Sophie Norinder	....	costume assistant
John Norster	....	associate costume designer
Sunita Singh	....	costume assistant
Clare Spragge	....	costume supervisor
Patricia Colin	....	wardrobe mistress (uncredited)
Tangi Crawford	....	assistant costume designer: USA (uncredited)
Barbara Ohren	....	costumer (uncredited)
Barbara Ohren	....	seamstress (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Paul Apted	....	assistant editor: UK
Victoria Bate	....	trainee editor: UK
Ian Blume	....	trainee editor
Jennifer Davidoff Cook	....	associate editor (as Jennifer A. Davidoff Cook)
Larry Di Stefano	....	assistant editor: Canada
Linus Hume	....	post-production assistant
Peter Hunt	....	grader
Anne O'Brien	....	first assistant editor
Louise Seymour	....	post-production assistant: UK
Paul Wagtouicz	....	apprentice editor

Music Department
Jeff Atmajian	....	orchestrations
Heather Bownass	....	co-music supervisor
Nicholas Bucknall	....	musician: clarinet (as Nick Bucknall)
David Carbonara	....	music editor
John Carbonara	....	assistant music editor
Chris Cozens	....	auricle
Hannah Davies	....	assistant: Rachel Portman
Chris Dibble	....	music recordist and mixer
Andrew Findon	....	musician: ethnic flutes (as Andy Findon)
George Hamer	....	orchestra contractor
Jan Hendrickse	....	musician: ethnic flute
Bob Last	....	music supervisor
Rachel Portman	....	orchestrations
Rachel Portman	....	score producer
David Snell	....	conductor
Randy Spendlove	....	executive in charge of music
Stephen Coleman	....	music copyist (uncredited)
Paul S. Henning	....	assistant orchestrator (uncredited)
Lewis Jones	....	assistant music mixer (uncredited)
Jo Ann Kane	....	music copyist (uncredited)
Patrick Russ	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Carl Rydlund	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Steven L. Smith	....	music preparation (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Brian Agar	....	unit driver: second unit
Neil Birdsall	....	driver: Aeroshoot Film Services
Tony Bird	....	transportation manager: Aeroshoot Film Services
Elise Crosnier	....	transportation coordinator: France
Louise Dean	....	unit driver: second unit
Gerry Floyd	....	unit driver: second unit
Rob Fowles	....	driver: Aeroshoot Film Services
Brian Hathaway	....	unit driver: second unit
Martin Lock	....	unit driver: second unit
Bruce Neighbour	....	unit driver: second unit
Jeff Oldman	....	unit driver: second unit
John Ott	....	driver: Aeroshoot Film Services
Terry Reece	....	unit driver: second unit
David Rosenbaum	....	transportation captain
Simon Saunders	....	unit driver: second unit
Charlie Simpson	....	driver: Aeroshoot Film Services
Kieran Smith	....	driver: Aeroshoot Film Services
Bill Turner	....	unit driver: second unit
Alan Watts	....	unit driver: second unit
Segolene Amice	....	driver: France (uncredited)
Olivier Suffert	....	production driver: Shannone MacIntosh (uncredited)

Other crew
Betty Ainslie	....	assistant accountant
Stéphane Barlow	....	assistant location manager: France
Libbie Barr	....	script supervisor
Tarik Ait Ben Ali	....	stand-in
Walter Bienz	....	chocolate expert
Françoise Bouillon-Pommerolle	....	production accountant: France
Tabitha Burrill	....	assistant accountant
Caroline Chapman	....	floor runner
May Chu	....	assistant: Mr. Blomquist
Cleone Clarke	....	pre-production coordinator
Marceline Corthesy	....	acting coach: Victoire Thivisol
David Deane	....	health and safety advisor
Michel Degrange	....	assistant location manager: France
Christi Dembrowski	....	assistant: Johnny Depp
Vincent Dicop	....	assistant accountant: France
Alain Dominiecki	....	assistant accountant: France
Laetitia Dom	....	production secretary: France
Alex Fenn	....	production runner
Frédéric Greene	....	production accountant: France
Joanne Harris	....	special advisor
Christian Holden	....	cashier
Buck Holland	....	assistant: Johnny Depp
Katherine Hook	....	tutor: English
Janice Jacobs	....	travel: Disney Travel
Claudia Kalindjian	....	unit publicist: MacDonald & Rutter
Mary Luther	....	home economist
Michael Lynch	....	unit nurse
Alice Lyons	....	unit nurse
Scarlett Mackmin	....	choreographer
Rose Maher	....	assistant: Mr. Hallström
Lina Martins	....	assistant: Juliette Binoche
Paula McBreen	....	production coordinator
Marie McFerran	....	production coordinator: France
Damon Meredith	....	assistant location manager
Sylvie Milley	....	tutor: French
Natashya Newman	....	dog handler
Laura Obenaus	....	assistant: Mr. Hallström, Vancouver
Patrick Pesenti	....	location manager: France
David Pinnington	....	location manager
Peggy Plessas	....	dialect coach: Juliette Binoche
Stefano Priori	....	production accountant
Phil Rodowsky	....	combined dialogue continuity and spotting: On-Core Productions
Todd Rodowsky	....	combined dialogue continuity and spotting: On-Core Productions
Caroline Roemmele	....	assistant production coordinator
Pierre Salive	....	location manager: Beynac, France
John Sargent	....	post-production accountant: Sargent-Disc, {UK}
Nina Saxon	....	titles designer: main & end, New Wave Entertainment
Emma Stokes	....	stand-in
Alexander Streeter	....	floor runner
Imogen Stringer	....	production secretary
Nadia Venesse	....	dialect coach: Sally Taylor-Isherwood
Julia Wilson Dickson	....	dialect coach
Doris Wood	....	assistant: Mr. Brown
Lyndsay Bullock	....	daily floor runner (uncredited)
James Chasey	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Rennie Cowan	....	projectionist (uncredited)
J.J. Holiday	....	guitar coach: Johnny Depp (uncredited)
Jean-Marie Modet	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Frédéric North	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Roger Phillips	....	end titles (uncredited)
Jonathan Rutter	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Eve Swannell	....	production runner (uncredited)

Thanks
Linda A. Borgeson	....	special thanks (as Linda Borgeson)
Benoit Caron	....	special thanks: Commission Nationale du Film France
Sally Carter	....	special thanks
Stephen Carter	....	special thanks (as Stephen)
Dana Coyle	....	special thanks
Hadley Davis	....	special thanks
Gisèle Dudoit	....	special thanks
Laura Engel	....	special thanks
Jane Nerlinger Evans	....	special thanks (as Jane Evans)
Stuart Ford	....	special thanks
Simon Fowler	....	special thanks: The Fonthill Estate
Trevor Gilling	....	special thanks
Fabrice Gillotte	....	special thanks
John Hadity	....	special thanks
Kevin Hyman	....	special thanks
Hilary Nelson Jacobs	....	special thanks
Tracey Jacobs	....	special thanks
Susan Klee	....	special thanks
Gail Laurent	....	special thanks: Commission du Film de Bourgogne
Jack Lechner	....	special thanks
Thomas J. Mangan IV	....	special thanks (as Tom Mangan)
Mark McBride	....	special thanks
Morag McKay	....	special thanks
Lisa Mihaly	....	special thanks
Alistair Morrison	....	special thanks: The Fonthill Estate
Cameron Murdoch	....	special thanks
Claire Oberlander	....	special thanks
Jenny O'Grady	....	special thanks
Michele Platt	....	special thanks
Mike Roberts	....	in memory of
Marc Rosenblum	....	special thanks: Commission Nationale du Film France
Eric Roth	....	special thanks
Irena Salina	....	special thanks
Eric Shonz	....	special thanks
Michael Tovey	....	special thanks
Caroline Weeks	....	special thanks (as Caroline)
John Weeks	....	special thanks
Andrea Wertheim	....	special thanks
Frank Wuliger	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Miramax Films (presents)
• David Brown Productions (producer)
• Fat Free (uncredited)

Distributors

• Miramax Films (2000) (USA)
• Bac Films (2001) (France) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2001) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2001) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Laurenfilm (2001) (Spain) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2001) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (Belgium) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
• Senator Film (2001) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2000) (Canada) (DVD)
• New Films International
• RCV Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (limited edition steelbook)

Special Effects

• Mill Films (I) (visual effects by) (as Mill Film)

Other Companies

• Shepperton Studios  movie studio
• A.T.V.  special thanks to
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  production insurance: in association with (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• ARRI Media  grip equipment supplied by (as Arri Media)
• Abbey Road Studios  special thanks to (as Abbey Road Studios - London)
• Aerial Camera Systems  StabC supplied by (as Aerial Camera System)
• Aerial Camera Systems  helicopter supplied by (as Aerial Camera System)
• Aeroshoot Film Services  transportation manager
• Air Studios  music recorded and mixed at (as Air Studios, London)
• Angels & Bermans  costumes supplied by (as Angels and Bermans)
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies (uncredited)
• Bath Film Office  special thanks to
• Bon Bon Royale  special thanks to
• Casting Collective  extras casting
• Charbonnel et Walker  special thanks to
• Chas Newens  boat supplied by (uncredited)
• City of Beynac, The  special thanks to
• City of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain and its Residents, The  special thanks to
• Commission Nationale du Film France  special thanks to
• Commission du Film de Bourgogne  special thanks to
• Disney Travel Corporation Inc.  travel arranged by (as Disney Travel)
• ED&F Man Holdings  special thanks to (as EDF Man & Co)
• Europcar  special thanks to
• Fantasy Studios  foley recorded at
• Gerard Ronay  special thanks to
• Gestetner  special thanks to
• Goldcrest Post Production London  adr recorded at: London (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Great Northern Brokerage Services  production insurance provided by (as Great Northern Brokerage Corp.)
• Jacana Productions  animal handler: wallaby (as Jacana Productions, Paris)
• Jean-Paul Hévin Chocolatier  special thanks to (as Jean-Paul Hevin)
• Jo Anne Kane Music Services  copyist (as Jo-Ann Kane Music Service, Inc.)
• Keylink Ltd.  special thanks to
• Kodak  film stock supplied by
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Lee Lighting  lighting equipment provided by
• London Editing Machines Ltd.  editing equipment: UK
• McDonald and Rutter  unit publicist (as MacDonald & Rutter)
• Metro Voices  special thanks to
• Movietech  camera equipment provided by
• Olswang  legal services provided by
• On Location Education  additional tutors
• On-Core Productions  combined dialogue continuity and spotting
• Post-Productions  post-production services: NY (as Post Productions, Inc.)
• Production Copier Company  production equipment and services (uncredited)
• Sargent-Disc  post-production accountant (as Sargent-Disc, {UK})
• Set Meals  caterers
• Sony Classical  soundtrack available on
• Sound One Corporation  post production sound services by (as Sound One Corp.)
• Sound  sound editorial by (as Sound, San Francisco)
• South West Film Commission  special thanks to
• Studio @ NWE  main and end titles designed by (as New Wave Entertainment)
• TSF  special thanks to (as Groupe TSF - Paris)
• Telecine  video transfers by
• The Fonthill Estate  special thanks to
• The Guatemalan Indian Centre  special thanks to
• The Travel Company  travel arranged by
• Turk Film Services Ltd.  boats supplied by
• Télécatering  special thanks to (as TeleCatering)
• Wheeler Film Services  negative cutter
• Witney Marquees  marquees supplied by

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sensuality and some violence.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (Certificate No. 37889) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Chile:14 | Denmark:A | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Beynac, Dordogne, France

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

In the scene where Pere Henri is dancing, Alfred Molina was originally supposed to walk down the steps and see him. However, because he actually had a hurt toe, he just stood there instead of walking down the steps.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Roux offers Anouk a gift from the bucket, his hand alternates between being over and then under the handle.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Storyteller: Once upon a time, there was a quiet little village in the French countryside, whose people believed in Tranquilité - Tranquility. If you lived in this village, you understood what was expected of you. You knew your place in the scheme of things. And if you happened to forget...

Movie Connections:

References The Wind (1928)

Soundtrack:

V'La Le Bon Vent

A Sweet Delight!

A film to awaken the senses and stimulate the sweet tooth, `Chocolat,' directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Juliette Binoche. is both a sensuous and sensational delight. In the mid ‘50s, as if borne on the winds of fate, a somewhat mysterious woman arrives in a small town in France, with a young daughter, Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) in tow and a special talent that soon has the townsfolk in quite a stir. Binoche is Vianne Rocher, a woman who uses her exotic recipe for chocolate to unlock the repressed sensibilities of the predominately Catholic citizenry, heretofore kept under the rigid and righteous thumb of the Mayor, Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), with no respite or help, even from the town's young and inexperienced priest, Pere Henri (Hugh O'Conor). And because Vianne has the audacity to open her chocolate shop during Lent, when of course her sumptuous treats are forbidden, she quickly runs afoul of the Mayor and a battle of wills between the two ensues. Her chocolates are irresistible, but the Mayor has tradition and religion on his side, and it puts the free-spirited Vianne-- who has something of the gypsy in her-- to the test. As a director, Hallstrom has just the right touch that brings out the best this story has to offer, which is to say, quite a bit. It's an affecting and funny movie that will touch you emotionally as it involves you with the characters; Hallstrom knows what buttons to push and when, and it works splendidly. There's a touch of mystery surrounding Vianne that underscores the sensitivity of the story, and Hallstrom never allows it to become maudlin, which successfully maintains the integrity of the drama. And there are moments throughout the film that evoke an almost dream-like sense of pacification that draw you in as you indulge in the mouth watering visual pleasures of the chocolate. Be forewarned, though, it's a tough one for diabetics to watch. What Hallstrom also has going for him in this one is an absolutely exquisite cast, many of whom give Oscar worthy, memorable performances, beginning with the superb Juliette Binoche. There's an earthy, enigmatic and classic sense of beauty about her that make her presence on screen captivating; she's simply a joy to behold. Judi Dench (Amande), meanwhile, does a terrific character turn as a mother whose daughter, Caroline (Carrie-Anne Moss), deems her an embarrassment and a bad influence on her son, Luc (Aurelien Parent-Koening), and Lena Olin (Josephine) is outstanding as well, as an unhappy woman who finds hope in Vianne's undaunted spirit. Three extraordinary performances from gifted actresses that should be recognized with Oscar nominations. And Molina, too, as the narrow minded Comte, gives possibly the best performance of his career, while Johnny Depp (Roux) lends some charm as the leader of a roving community of river people. Rounding out the supporting cast are John Wood (Guillaume), Peter Stormare (Serge) and Leslie Caron (Madame Audel). Possibly the `sweetest' film of the year, as well as one of the best, `Chocolat' is a visual and emotional triumph that will warm your heart and make your taste buds salivate, with a story and characters as rich and satisfying as the candy they embrace. It's a film with a human touch whose images and sensitivity will remain with you long after the screen has gone dark; an uplifting, entertaining movie that proves that the answers to the mysteries of life just may be found in that box of chocolates, after all. I rate this one 10/10.