Roll-M |
Chocolat (starring Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Johnny Depp, Lena Olin, Leslie Caron; written by Robert Nelson Jacobs, based upon the novel by Joanne Harris; directed by Lasse Hallström; rated PG-13.)
Chocolat is a delectable confection of a film. Director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules) serves up this movie with the cozy warmth of a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Immediately grabbing our attention with the opening sequences of a little French village nestled in the rolling hills, the camera sweeps down from on high, like the mysterious North wind so frequently invoked in this adult fairytale. Viewers never feel like outsiders as we watch the lives of these villagers unfold; through an unobtrusive narration, we meet the characters of this tiny, traditional town – people we will soon know intimately.
The story is a classic tale of villagers who are set in their ways, their insular lives sadly shortchanged. Into this 1959 setting comes Vianne Rocher (Binoche) and her young daughter, two vagabonds who set up their chocolate shop during Lent, to the infuriation of the town’s leader, the Comte de Reynaud (Molina). But her uncanny knowledge of matching just the right confection to each person proves to be the key to the townspeople’s hearts, all of which will be unlocked by picture’s end.
The Motion Picture Academy has nominated Chocolat for five Oscars®, including Best Picture, and for good reason: the performances are noteworthy, and the production values (including Rachel Portman’s score) are all outstanding. While it is a long shot for the top Award, Chocolat is a delight that will touch the hearts and imaginations of most Mensans. But be warned – like its namesake, this movie can be addicting. If, like the Mensans I know, you love chocolate, you’ll most likely love Chocolat, too. (And don’t be surprised if you find yourself heading for the nearest candy counter immediately after leaving the theatre!)
FIVE OWLS OUT OF FIVE – A MUST SEE!
Quills (starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine; written by Doug Wright, based upon his play; directed by Phillip Kaufman; rated R)
One of the most startling mainstream films ever made, Quills is not for prudes or the faint of heart. This dark, disturbing, masterfully executed film from director Phillip Kaufman* and writer Doug Wright (who won an Obie Award for his stage version) is an especially well-crafted picture, the kind one has come to expect from Kaufman (Henry and June; The Right Stuff; The Unbearable Lightness of Being). The subject matter – the last days of the imprisoned Marquis de Sade – is speculative. The story is spellbinding. Rush gives an Oscar®-worthy performance (he’s one of this year’s five nominees) as the Marquis, cell-bound in Charenton, an institution for the insane, yet happily writing his pornography, which is smuggled out to the printer by a young laundress (Winslet). Her charms are not lost on him – or on the priest in charge of the facility. Indeed, it would seem that the inmates have taken over the asylum, until Napoleon’s government sends in a doctor (Caine) to shut down the Marquis. Stripped of his paper, his ink and quills, and even his clothes – his creative passion cannot be stifled. The film is a paean to the human spirit’s quest for freedom of expression; some Mensans will see the obvious parallel between the film’s depiction of early 19th century censorship and present-day threats against the NEA.
This is a brilliant film, but definitely not family fare; full frontal nudity, realistically simulated sex, violence and strong language will offend some. Most Mensans, however, should find Quill fascinating and will perhaps want to learn more about the true history of the renowned Marquis, who gave the world the term “sadist.”
FOUR AND A HALF OWLS OUT OF FIVE
*I had the pleasure of working with Phil Kaufman during the late 1970s when we were formulating the first Star Trek movie. However, he was not the director that was eventually chosen. I often wonder what a Kaufman-directed version of Trek would have been like!
Head Over Heels (starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., Monica Potter, Sarah O’Hare, Shalom Harlow, China Chow, Ivana Milicevic, Tomiko Fraser; written by Ron Burch and David Kidd; directed by Mark Waters; rated PG-13)
Head Over Heels will not tax your IQ one bit. That having been said, a few Mensans might find it good escapism. It’s a light comedy about a young woman who rooms with a bevy of New York models. In a weak salute to Rear Window, she spies on and falls in love-at-first-sight with an attractive young man (Prinze) across the way from their apartment. Conveniently, his blinds are always open -- until one evening when it appears he has murdered a lady guest. It is soon revealed that he is not a killer, however, but an FBI agent (a real stretch of the imagination needed here), and our heroine is unwittingly embroiled in a life-or-death situation with her intended, although it’s played mostly for laughs.
If you’re under 25 – make that under 21 – you might enjoy this bit of fluff. Actually, it’s not all that bad, but it’s definitely a date movie for the younger crowd.
TWO OWLS OUT OF FIVE
Last month, we had a problem at the printers and the normal half toning of the owls was glitched. So it appeared that Susan rated every movie five owls. Well, they were great pics, but not all were five owlers.
So here is a summary of last month’s article and the correct ratings. (Out of five possible.)
All the Pretty Horses 2
Cast Away, 4 1/2
The Family Man, 5
Finding Forrester, 2 1/2
Miss Congeniality, 3 1/2
State and Main, 4
Vertical Limit, 3