by AliD (Tue Oct 20, 2009)
I love a bit of magic in a film. I'm also a sucker for a happy ending.
Not to mention a pushover for a gorgeous guitar playing gypsy (Johnny Depp). ‘Chocolat'
has all three.
It is a story about a single
mother Vianne (Juliette Binoche), and her adorable daughter Anouk, who,
directed by the wind, moves from town to small town fixing problems, especially
love issues, and all the while cooking the most glorious looking chocolates.
While helping others to mend broken hearts and get romance started, all
through the somewhat magical quality of her chocolates, Vianne herself has been
unlucky in love... but not for long.
Enter the Depp-ster - a small role for Mr Johnny, but it's a sweet one
and he gets to play a few tunes on his guitar.
The story is set in a gorgeous,
quiet little French village in the 1950's, and the film captures a special
quality of small town living with the usual gossips and hidden secrets.
And is it just me or does everything sound better with a French accent?
Now while a cook I may not
be, I do love my dessert making and this movie got me salivating for delicious
after dinner treats. So, inspired by Vianne, I decided to try a little
‘Chocolat' making myself.
But candy and chocolate making is a whole different animal. You melt
things too fast and they turn lumpy, never again to be returned by weird
alchemy to smooth, glossy liquid.
Getting things the ‘right' temperature requires a candy thermometer. I
found myself actually talking to the bubbling liquid, as it reminded me of when
my kids had fevers.
‘There you go, (as I slid the thermometer in) let's just check how you're
doing...oooh nice and hot...good candy, good candy.'
Beware though - that stuff gets molten hot! In fact there is still a
burn mark on the cork floor in the shape of Australia. I moved my bare foot out
of the way just in time.
Just like Vianne, I am a big believer in putting love into your cooking. I think most of us can relate to this if we have a nice bowl of Mum's
homemade soup when we're not feeling great. We can feel the care and it makes us feel better immediately.
Unlike Vianne, there may have
been a touch of frustration, a little pinch of swearing, or a teaspoon of
‘never again' in my home-made candy, but I vowed to keep on keeping on, and I found my friends enthusiastically
enjoying the fruits of my labor. While they weren't inspired to get up and do a waltz, play a little
Celtic tune on the guitar or go and speak to someone they have always been in
love with, they did manage a few ‘mmmm,
yummy' noises.
Good enough for me.
So I recommend you rent this movie with a stash of chocolates
(home-made or otherwise), maybe a nice bottle of French red and enjoy.
Bon appétit!
