Intermission: 'Chocolat' repeats winning combo of food, passion

"Chocolat"

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrm

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Alfred Molina, Johnny Depp, Victoire Thivisol, Judi Dench

Rated: PG-13

Local cinemaphiles had much to be concerned about a few weeks ago when, out of nowhere, we lost six more screens with the closing of the Battlefield Mall 6. Over the past decade, when smaller, independent "art films" if you will made it to town, chances were they would show up at the Battlefield 6.

Losing any screens in this market is cause for concern among those who savor a wider choice than the latest blockbuster or the former smash hit with box office legs that has been running since we were mowing lawns instead of shoveling snow.

A few fears were eased this weekend as"Chocolat" opened at the Springfield 8.

Although "Chocolat" was directed by Lasse Hallstrm whose last film, "The Cider House Rules," got plenty of Oscar attention and stars Juliette Binoche (best known for "The English Patient") and Johnny Depp, it still seemed like one of those movies that wouldn't play here. But it did make it to town, and I was surprised at the number of people at the first matinee on opening day.

"Chocolat" was officially released in 2000, qualifying it for the upcoming Academy Awards. Considering the rather bleak year we've just experienced, it's a good bet that this movie will walk away with an armload of awards. The screenplay and direction are great and Roger Pratt's cinematography simply beautiful.

Pratt's work for "Chocolat" ranks with his best. Besides having a great story to tell, this film is a true pleasure to watch. Binoche is a radiant beauty in the tradition of Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly, and Pratt's camera captures that here.

It's "once upon a time" (sometime in the 1950s) in a small village. Life is pretty simple here. Simple as long as one follows the long-established rules of conduct. The place is "ruled" by the local mayor/count who goes so far as to edit the priest's weekly sermons.

Everyone knows what's expected and pretty much obliges the system.

One Sunday, the "sly North Wind" blows a woman and her daughter into town, and things are suddenly about to change.

It's Lent, a time for giving up pleasures of the flesh, and newcomers Vianne and her daughter Anouk not only do not attend mass but are opening a Pagan-inspired chocolate shop. Vianne has a knack for not only mixing up chocolate (including an intoxicating brew of hot chocolate with a hint of chili pepper) but also for determining what her customers' favorites.

The mayor, played by Alfred Molina, wages his version of a holy war against Vianne, fearing that the seductive delights of her chocolate will usurp his moral authority. Complications arise when a boatload of river rats, led by Johnny Depp, shows up. The mayor wants them gone and, of course, Vianne befriends them.

Some of the most sensuous moments in cinema have been in food-focused films. "Big Night," "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman," "Babette's Feast" and "Like Water for Chocolate" all offered sumptuous pleasures based on the human fondness for good food. "Chocolat" can take its place among these works; it's really one of the most pleasing films I've seen in a long time.

If you're the type who only goes for big action, special-effect-laden epics with stars like Arnold and Bruce, you probably will be bored silly. However, if you appreciate great writing, character development, intelligent dialogue and being treated like an adult, "Chocolat" is a safe bet.

(Jim Wunderle works at Associated Video Producers and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.)