By Mary Anne Hempe

pop writer



After all the gifts are open and you've eaten a ton, you'll probably be too exhausted to do anything more than kick back and relax with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp in "Chocolat" (2000), a grown-up fairy tale treat that's a perfect way to wind down after a very long day.

Our story takes place in a small French village in late winter, 1959. It is the beginning of the six-week Lent season, which means that the villagers must be more vigilant than ever to maintain morality and goodness. It is their duty to God to abstain from all things pleasurable during this sacred time. At least, that's what the town's mayor, the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina) believes. And because the Comte is a pompous prig, he expects everyone else in town to believe the same thing.

The Comte even goes so far as to write sermons for the timid new priest, Pere Henri (Hugh O'Conor) to make sure his message is heard. There will be no shattering the "tranquility" of his town. Things will remain, as they have for hundreds of years, the same. That is, until a strange wind from the north blows in one day, bringing with it Vianne Rocher (Binoche) and her young daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol).

Vianne arranges to lease a run-down shop from Armande Voizin (Judi Dench), a cranky old lady well known for her drinking, her refusal to go to church and her estrangement from her ultra-conservative daughter Caroline (a barely recognizable Carrie-Anne Moss of "Matrix" fame), who's mortified by Armande's lifestyle.

With Anouk's help, Vianne dives into transforming the place into "Chocolatier Maya," a clean and colorful caf? that's filled with magical, mouth-watering chocolate confections. Unfortunately, most of the villagers have taken the Comte's words to heart, fearing divine consequence should they break their vows and take just one bite. Besides, this Vianne is a devil in disguise. She wears red shoes and her daughter is illegitimate. The sooner she goes out of business, the better.

Not everyone feels the same way. When a few cautious customers venture in to "Chocolatier Maya," they're delighted with the results. Vianne has a unique talent to pick the right type of chocolate for each person, chocolates that contain just a hint of chili pepper and a very special cacao bean that unlocks desires and yearnings -- which is something the Comte de Reynaud will do anything to stop.

While critics weren't too impressed with "Chocolat," audiences loved it, and it went on to earn an impressive five Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture (which it lost to "Gladiator"). Binoche (nominated for Best Actress) is a delight, as always. She looks radiant and gorgeous throughout, and has perfect chemistry with co-stars Judi Dench (also nominated) and of course, the ever fabulous Johnny Depp, who plays the Irish "river rat" Roux with his usual mix of charm and talent. By the way, that's really Depp playing the guitar (two of his songs are on the soundtrack).

Although billed as a drama (and there are plenty of serious moments), there are a number of light touches in "Chocolat," like the plump little scrub woman returning to ask for "more of those beans" and Alfred Molina's "revelation" at the end. The fantastic cast includes Lena Olin, Peter Stormare, and screen icon Leslie Caron (still fabulous at 69) as Madame Audel.

You can find "Chocolat" (rated PG-13) at most video stores and at NetFlix. Have a very Merry Christmas and check it out.