Monday Movie MeMe--True Romance

There are a hundred and one movies that I could name as truly romantic, but none says it better for me than Chocolat.

What could be more romantic than a mysterious and sensuously beautiful woman (Juliette Binoche) who comes to a rigid puritanical village with her daughter to set up a chocolaterie.  She sets about the task of winning over the sexually repressed men and oppressed women by serving them chocolate that makes them want to do things they haven't thought of doing in years. And did I say Johnny Depp plays a heartbreakingly gorgeous gypsy who wins our lady's heart?

The mayor is outraged when Vianne Rocher sets up her shop across the street from the church and at Lent, of all things! Slowly, the town comes to accept and love Vianne and her daughter Anouk, but the mayor is determined to run her out of town. He almost succeeds and almost destroys her, but with the courage she finds in her newfound love and the strong bonds she has made with some of the women, she overcomes even the mayor's determination and stops running away from her life.

The supporting cast is stellar and includes Lena Olin, Leslie Caron, Alfred Molina, and one of my favorite actresses, Dame Judi Dench. Lasse Hallstrom directs.

If you haven't seen this wonderful movie, do yourself a favor and watch it soon. Thanks, Bumbles, for the theme.