Chocolat 

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Lasse Hallstrom, 2000 (121 mins, Cert.  12)

The tale of single mother Vianne ([Juliette] Binoche), who pitches up in a sleepy provincial French village to open up a chocolaterie.  With her sensual cooking skills, Vianne soon arouses the passions of various residents, including the 70-year-old libertine Armande ([Judi] Dench) and Josephine, the long suffering wife of bar owner Serge.  Based on the novel  by Joanne Harris, Chocolat is the quaint story of one woman's attempt to belong.
(Playhouse Publicity)

Blown in on the North wind, Vianne stirs up the settled, conservative village by opening a chocolaterie during lent. Winning over some of the inhabitants she faces opposition from others, chiefly the Mayor, and matters come to a head when Johnny Depp's band of itinerant river rats also show up. Much is revealed and all is neatly resolved by the end of the film while along the way there is a lot of laughter and fun.  The feel throughout is deeply French, the village and its inhabitants seem to have stepped off the page of a light-hearted roman, and the whole story is easily digested and satisfying.  A delightful confection!
(Steve Fagg)

Seen: Tuesday, 3rd July, 2001 (Harlow Playhouse)