STARRING: Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Carrie Ann-Moss, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench

LINE ON THE POSTER: One taste is all it takes

WHAT HAPPENS: It's 1960, and in a small town in rural France, Vianne Rocher (Binoche) and her pre-teen daughter have just moved in and opened a chocolate shop, right at the beginning of lent. To the town's small-minded mayor (Molina) this is unacceptable and he does his best to put her out of business by spreading malicious rumour and gossip. However the repressed townsfolk warm to her and the incredible chocolate she makes and she begins to have a dramatic affect on the lives of the people around her. When a group of river travellers, led by Roux (Depp), decamp on the town, tension mounts but will Vianne and her chocolates be able to bring everyone together? And she will she be able to put aside her travelling instincts?

 ANY GOOD?: This is a really pleasant film, with nothing but good in its heart. It will entertain and make you laugh for two hours and leave you feeling ready to devour the biggest box of chocs you can get your hands on. However it's not exceptional and the Oscar nomination is maybe a bit undeserved when greater films like Almost Famous, Requiem for a Dream and The Wonder Boys have all been blatantly ignored. I did have a major problem with the film in that it was too much of an American take on a French film. French cinema is wonderful and often ignored in English speaking countries due to reluctance to read subtitles and Chocolat seemed like a compromise. It would have been far better in French and it would have also removed some of the dreadful faux-French accents sported by it's stars. However Binoche, Depp and Dench all put in good solid performances and the scenery of the small French village was lovely. If you want an alternative to the gut-wrenching gore of Hannibal this could be the film for you.

BEST BIT: When a huge feast is prepared, if you're hungry your stomach is going to be rumbling...so take some popcorn.

INTERESTING FACT: Johnny Depp, who plays the guitar playing traveller Roux, played guitar on the track 'Fade In/Out' by Oasis, on the 'Be Here Now' Album.

LIKED IT, TRY: Jean De Florette, Manon Des Sources or Shakespeare In Love