From time to time, we will add new chocolate movie reviews. Not that there are a lot of chocolate movies. But we try. Check out our favorite chocolate movie here.
In Search of the Heart of Chocolate
(PG, 2008)
Filmmaker Sarah Feinbloom explores her chocoholic roots in this tongue-in-cheek exploration of chocolate. Along the way we meet assorted chocoholics, learn some chocolate history, and peruse the shelves of Chocolate Covered, a chocoholic’s paradise in San Francisco…what’s not to love? Even the cover made me laugh. Best watched with copious quantities of chocolate nearby, because it would be embarrassing to be seen licking the screen. This film was for sale at www.chocumentary.net, but it appears it is no longer available. 🙁
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Lezioni Di Cioccolato (Chocolate Lessons)
(NR, 2007)
Alert reader Chandra sent us this title, which (grumble grumble), we’ve not yet been able to find in the States. It looks fun!
An Italian building contractor must pretend to be a pastry chef (an Egyptian one, no less) to keep from being reported by Kamal, a construction worker who fell from a scaffold and intends to make his boss pay unless the wealthy businessman agrees to get Kamal’s chocolate-making diploma for him.
Our rating: not yet rated
Chocolat
(PG-13, 2000)
A woman in the process of trying to find herself opens a chocolate shop in a small French village, much to the chagrin of the uptight residents. Along the way, she changes their hearts and her own. Stars the lovely Juliette Binoche and a dashing Johnny Depp. Finally, a movie where chocolate is the star! Based on the book by Joanne Harris. Incidentally, I enjoyed the film far more than the book, which is rarely the case for me.
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Chocolat
(PG-13, 1988)
This isn’t really a chocolate movie, although it’s mentioned a couple times and there is one scene that includes something that looks suspiciously like a chocolate pot! The title refers to the 1950s slang for the word, which meant “to be had” or “to be cheated.” A young French woman recalls her memories of growing up in French colonial Cameroon. Beautifully acted and filmed.
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Como agua para chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate)
(R, 1992)
The story of a young woman and her lover, who are forbidden to marry. The lover marries the young woman’s sister just to be closer to her. A heartbreaking tale of love and cooking, also a terrific novel.
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(G, 1971)
This is the original 1971 chocolate movie starring Gene Wilder, in which a poor boy wins the chance to visit the world’s greatest candy factory, and we get to go with him. If it were me, I would take my chances and jump in the chocolate river.
Our rating: 5 of 5 bon bons
Milton Hershey: The Chocolate King
(NR, 1995)
A fascinating documentary about Milton Hershey, who was to chocolate what Ford was to automobiles. It is slightly dated, but was an amazing tale.
Our rating: 4 of 5 bon bons
Fresa y chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate)
(R, 1994)
A fun Cuban film which is neither about chocolate nor strawberry, but rather about people’s differences and similarities. David is a university student whose ideals are tested by his new friend Diego after the Cuban revolution. The acting is a bit overdone in spots and the story drags a bit, but you do care deeply about the characters.
Our rating: 3.5 of 5 bon bons
Pane e cioccolata (Bread and Chocolate)
(NR, 1973)
A bittersweet Italian film about an Italian immigrant in Switzerland trying to make a better life for himself while dealing with increasing bigotry and bad luck. At times painful to watch, it paints a truthful portrait of hardship and hope. It’s not really a chocolate movie; I believe the title either refers to an Italian dessert or to the class differences represented by bread vs. chocolate.
Our rating: 3.5 of 5 bon bons
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(PG, 2005)
I’ve been avoiding this chocolate movie because the original was so good. And why shouldn’t it have been? Roald Dahl, author of the book, wrote the screenplay for the original. Plus, I kind of have a thing against remakes in general. But I thought I ought to, for the sake of science and all. I’m afraid I’m no better for having seen this. Although it did have its moments, I was disturbed by the unnecessary fabrication of Willy Wonka’s childhood, not to mention the way Johnny Depp played the character – an unlikeable weirdo, as opposed to Gene Wilder’s likeable weirdo. Stick with the original, above.
Our rating: 3 of 5 bon bons
Great Chefs: Chocolate Passion
(NR, 1996)
This cooking show episode follows several chefs as they make their signature chocolate desserts, all of which looked scrumptious. This is a good gift for anyone interested in cooking with chocolate, as you get to observe a number of techniques. My complaint, which is a big one, is that only some of the recipes were given, and some were sort of half given, so it’s virtually impossible to recreate any of these. Grr.
Our rating: 3 of 5 bon bons
Chinese Chocolate
(NR, 1996)
Unless you have a deep interest in imaginary Chinese immigrant life in Toronto, you can skip this one. I’m part Chinese, so I probably forgave this more than I should have, but this film suffers from meandering storylines, a weak plot, and several unsympathetic, uninteresting characters. And nary a chocolate in sight.
Our rating: 1.5 of 5 bon bons
Four and a Half Women
aka Chocolate for Breakfast (NR, 1998)
Four roommates in New York deal with life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. I’m beginning to suspect there are no more good chocolate movies out there. Perhaps the filmmaking was just above my head and I missed the point, but this was a yawner.
Our rating: 1.5 of 5 bon bons
Merci Pour Le Chocolat (Thanks for the Chocolate)
(PG-13, 2000)
A bizarre film with a message so subtle, only the filmmakers know what it is. This French thriller centers around a family with ties to a chocolate factory. I think the thing that bugged me most about this film is that it seemed to begin as a perfectly benign tale, and then it morphed, unexpectedly, into a suspense thriller. Other critics have said it’s Hitchcockian – I’ll stick to Hitchcock myself. Despite the chocolate factory, I wouldn’t really consider this a chocolate movie.
Our rating: 1 of 5 bon bons
Better Than Chocolate
(R, 1999)
This is one chocolate movie that definitely isn’t better than chocolate, but I felt it my duty to review it, since it has chocolate in the title. If lots of sex, particularly lesbian sex, is your thing, have at it. Otherwise, this is one you can miss. Weak story lines and cliché abound.
Our rating: 1 of 5 bon bons
The Kingdom Comedy Tour
(NR, 2003)
An assortment of African-American Christian comedians give their take on the Gospel. I rented this because one comedienne calls herself Chocolate. I laughed a few times, but was otherwise uninspired.
Our rating: 1 of 5 bon bons
Chocolate
(NR, 2005)
It starts out with a vaguely interesting premise about a bank robbery, then spirals out of control. Too bad it didn’t spiral a little faster, because this was painful by the end. The completely ridiculous story, the supposed-to-be-sexy Bollywood musical numbers, the not-at-all witty repartee… I suffered this for you, dear readers. Skip this blatant knockoff of The Usual Suspects and rent the original instead, chocolate or no. P.S. The title “Chocolate” refers to arms smuggling – not very chocolatey indeed!
Our rating: 0.5 of 5 bon bons
Hot Chocolate Greatest Hits
(NR, 2004)
A compilation of Hot Chocolate tunes filmed in a bizarre blend of live concert and music video (bad 80’s music video) styles. The catchiness of their biggest hit, “You Sexy Thing,” does little to save this poorly produced DVD. Both the audio and video quality are horrible, and the songs, with the exception of You Sexy Thing, mediocre.
Our rating: 0.5 of 5 bon bons
Blood and Chocolate
(PG-13, 2007)
Yet another flick with the word “chocolate” in the title, but having nothing to do with chocolate. This one’s about werewolves, and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to watch it. Now, if it were about the blood feud over the family chocolate business, THAT we’d watch. It’s not. *sigh*
UPDATE: Alert reader Leigh writes, “‘Blood and Chocolate’ is also a book. I personally think the book is MUCH better than the movie… and that the movie strays so VERY far from the book. The book mentions chocolate a lot more often than the movie does. You might want to check it out!” Thanks, Leigh!
Our rating: not rated
Check out the movie “Romantics Anonymous.” Just delightful. Chocolate has a starring role, and the movie is great fun. I’ve seen many of the movies on your list, and I would rank this one among the best.
Lindy, Fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation!