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In Chocolat, Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) opens a chocolate shop in a small French village during Lent, frightening the Roman Catholic mayor (Alfred Molina), who believes the temptation of indulgence will ruin the town's religious observance. Movieguide wasn't happy with the "politically correct and anti-Christian elements," but called it "an interesting, richly made parable" that contains "a strong Christian sense of the proper roles of Law and Grace." Movieguide notes that "the movie clearly shows that a pagan, sometimes occult, lifestyle has not been able to fully satisfy either Vianne or her young daughter." Movie Reporter Phil Boatwright, however, concluded that the movie still sides with Vianne. "It is the heroine, a nonconformist who never attends church, who becomes the community's savior. While the town leaders are stuck in church dogma much like the Pharisees, it is the film's humanist who is both wise and righteous." Still, he agrees with Movieguide that there's something vital said about law and grace. "Somehow religious dogma had become so strict among the citizens of Lansquenet that exclusion became more important than inclusion. For once these characters turned their backs on vice, they also began turning their backs on those with vices. ... Chocolat brilliantly reminds us of how easy it is to become so sanctimonious that we neglect to love one another. And it does so with exceptional performances and a storyline complete with enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the screen."

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December (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44