Chocolat

2000 2 hr 1 min

PG

2025 Oscar Nominations

2025 Oscar Winners

An enigmatic woman arrives in a quiet, traditional French town with her young daughter in the winter of 1959, opening an unusual chocolaterie across the square from the church. Her magical confections coax villagers to abandon themselves to temptation just as Lent begins. Sensual and romantic, this early 2000s arthouse hit was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. CHOCOLAT also features performances by Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp as a traveler whom Binoche falls for.

About the Score. British composer Rachel Portman made history in 1997 by becoming the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Original Score for her work on Emma. She garnered another nomination for her score for The Cider House Rules, then another for her work on CHOCOLAT. Among her extensive filmography, we have chosen to highlight her score for Chocolat, characterized by its playful woodwind arrangements that draw inspiration from the melodies of French villages and the theme of chocolate indulgence, which beautifully compliments the romantic narrative presented on screen. For Portman, the essence of any musical score lies in its melodies. Her soundtracks are typically built around a central melodic motif, which she then develops into related themes. While she is particularly celebrated for her contributions to romantic comedies, Portman demonstrates a remarkable versatility, as evidenced by the diverse range of films she has scored.

Director Lasse Hallström

Cast Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin

Country UK/USA

Language English

Aspect 1.85

More info on IMDB ››