Reviews

hymn Most people will think this movie is about Andy Griffith as Lonsome Rhodes, hick entertainer storyteller megalomaniac. What this film REALLY is is a condemnation of mass media and how the media builds up people to images they can't possibly fulfill. Take Griffith, small town drunk, in jail, with a story to tell and a woman to record it. His story goes over with the public and the woman decides to make Rhodes a media darling. On the other side of the screen is the smoke filled room political machine out to publicize a washed up yokel as politician that they put up for election. Sound familiar? See the film NETWORK and compare Rhodes to the Peter Finch character, Howard Beale.

This film is a scathing indictment of misuse of media, pseudo stardom and all that goes with it. It is allegory to be sure, but then everything old is new again. Take a look at the so called "celebrities" of today and how they got that way and what makes them tick... then watch "A Face In The Crowd!!!!!

Most movies and books can be examined out of the context of their titles. You really cannot judge a book by it's cover or movie by its title. Chocolat is no exception. The chocolate plays a secondary role in this movie. The primary role is assigned to conversation...the timeless art of bonding and building rapport with people.

The chocolate is just a catalyst for Binoche and the townspeople of France. The vicomte wants to know what is so special about the chocolate that this woman sells, and why she attracts so many people to her shop when they can't darken the doors of his church. He just doesn't get it. The people just don't like him and they like her. She has a way of bonding that he can't see. She is perceived as different simply because she relates well with different people.

She provides empathy where he does not. Pure and simple. Get people to bond with you and you have friends for life.