At M-Net Movies we think every day should be chocolate day. However, 7 July is officially World Chocolate Day; so we thought we’d tempt you with a look at three movies that are heavy on the chocolaty goodness.
Chocolat
Swedish director Lasse Hallström delivers this mouthwatering romance based on Joanne Harris’ novel. Starring Juliette Binoche as Vianne, her whimsical character has a conservative French village up in arms (and chocolate) when she opens a chocolaterie at the start of Lent. Swirling with decadence in every scene – from steaming cups of chilli hot chocolate to delectable trays of truffles – the film’s absolute scene-stealer is when the rigid, stiff upper-lipped mayor is found in the display window of the notorious chocolaterie, having fallen asleep after gorging himself on chocolate.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Starring as Binoche’s love interest in Chocolat is Johnny Depp. The acclaimed actor made another chocolaty turn when he played one of Roald Dahl’s most famous and eccentric characters, Willy Wonka. Owner of the title’s factory, he is ready to hand over the reins of his life’s sugar-induced work; but finds there’s no one to hand them over to. And so the five golden tickets come into play, granting five lucky children unheard of access. Depp imbues his performance as the madcap inventor with manic glee and quirky energy, upstaged only by the delicious glory of the factory’s chocolate river.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
For a somewhat different take on the classic story, there’s this ‘70s musical version of Dahl’s classic. Gene Wilder is cast as the eccentric inventor, and although much remains the same, there are various deviations and elaborations on the book’s story. Most importantly, it’s heavy on the sweet side, featuring lip-smacking gobsmackers such as kickable candy balls, cream-filled mushrooms, liquorice, lollipops, candy canes, marshmallows, everlasting gobstoppers, giant gummy bears, chocolate eggs, soda fountains, lickable wallpaper and the all-important chocolate river. Most of the movie's chocolate bars were made of wood, but the river was made of real chocolate.
Now that you're properly tempted: peel back that wrapper and have a happy World Chocolate Day!