A KINDER, GENTLER PLEASANTVILLE
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001
From: "Jon Zuck"

I Loved Chocolat! The parallels between Chocolat and Pleasantville were striking to me. Both seemed to have a similar message, that the disorder and temptation we encounter on earth is here for a reason, a good reason, that we may grow into greater love. Of the two, Pleasantville is still my favorite, with harder-hitting portrayals of fallenness and redemption through love, but the "kinder, gentler" Chocolat is a wonder. If Pleasantville is a myth, then Chocolat is a fairy tale, likewise celebrating the "beata culpa." and the wonder of growth from innocence into goodness.
--- Shalom v'Tovah,
Jon Zuck Web
URL: http://surf.to/frimmin
It is more important to love much than to think much. Always do that which most impels you to love. --St. Teresa of Avila

SACRAMENTAL CHOCOLATE
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001
From: Tom Orr, writing from Morristown, IN.

David, I agree with a number of the posted comments that this film (however imperfect) is about the work of grace--often portrayed in the New Testament as unconventional and against the established order. Fans of this film might also be intrigued by the Tom Waits song, "Chocolate Jesus," arguably a radical take on the Eucharist. Though Waits (so far as I know) is not a professing Christian, he may be speaking more than he knows about the unexpected ways in which grace is experienced. Peace.
Tom Orr, writing from Morristown, IN.

WHAT AN INSPIRING PARABLE!
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001
From: "Erin Davis"

I was SO pleasantly surprised by the movie "Chocolat"; from the previews, I expected it to be all about sex; or more specifically, about chocolate as an aphrodisiac. But the movie was about so much more; I believe the young priest summarizes the message best in his Easter Sunday homily near the end of the movie (paraphrased): "I want to talk about Jesus' humanity...about the way He was when He walked this earth. It seems to me that we find true godliness not in what we deny ourselves, or give up, or who we exclude...but in what we embrace, create, and who we include." This is what I understood as the essence of the meaning of 'Chocolat'. It was a powerful story of a woman (Vianne) who "shook up" a small French town by what she embraced, what she created, and who she included. It was also about a man (Comte) who saw religion as a set of rigid conduct that hinged on self-denial, righteousness by works, and condemnation of others who didn't meet his standards.

I disagree with those who say that this movie made out the church to be evil. I do agree that it showed legalism and self-righteousness to be wrong, and these were found in the church (building) throughout most of the movie because of who controlled the people (Comte, who even wrote the sermons out of his need to control and conquer anyone who did not conform to his standards). But, as the movie progressed, you could see individuals in the church start to come alive, because of Vianne's presence in the town. They started to become colorful, cheerful, relational, free and they even began to rebel against Comte (by eating chocolate in the church---heaven forbid!). Those who love God by loving others are the true church ("as you have done it to the least of these, My brothers, you have done it unto Me"---Jesus), and in the end the young priest (who was not controlling or self-righteous) was enabled by Vianne's help and Comte's humiliation to bring the truth of love to the people who were already being changed by it. The fellowship of like-minded people who are alive to love, honest, and free (because of God's grace) IS the church, and the church was shown to be good (not the bad guy) by the end of the movie.

I also disagree with the description of Vianne being portrayed as a 'pagan who is pawning earthly pleasures' who spurns the church. The only thing Vianne ever said negatively about the church is, "We will not be attending Mass." Perhaps this is because she had experienced the wounds of religious rejection in the other towns she had visited. Perhaps she would attend when she knew love was being preached. Plus, 'Chocolat' is a story, a parable, and it would not have served the purpose of the parable for Vianne to be born again and sufficiently religious for us modern Christians. When Jesus taught by parables, were the people in his stories saved? The king, the gardener, the bridegroom? No, they were powerful symbols of a particular way of loving, just like Vianne was in the movie. Unconditional, creative, a listener, a lover of the outcast, a wanderer, an empowering friend, and a rebel to religion. These words describe Jesus of Nazareth pretty well.

Of course, Vianne was also very human as well, which brought another fascinating facet to the movie: the symbolism of her mother's urn (and the way it broke due to the daughter's courage to rebel against past wounds). Vianne was driven to repeat the past, until the old messages from her childhood ('obey the cold, cruel North Wind---get out when you are rejected') were replaced by her daughter's desire to stay and love and belong. The daughter was also able to release her imaginary kangaroo (who was also wounded; he had a bad leg) when the cycle of the past was broken. The ending of the parable brought a wonderful aliveness, freedom and security to the lives of all those in the town who were truly "seekers."

I'm afraid I've been too long-winded; you can tell I loved this movie. I saw it twice last week, and would recommend it to anyone. Just be sure to discuss it after, and discover the richness of Chocolat---even during Lent!!!
Erin Davis

REJOICE!
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001
From: Caldwell Alexander A A1C

People, people, this parable is not perfect, there are distinct flaws, but let us rejoice in truth where it is found! The writer/director is not a fundamentalist pastor sermonizing, if he was then I would have distinct problems with his message, but this film is coming from a secular viewpoint and captures ideas of grace and legalism quite profoundly. Paul saw truth in Athens and he used it as a springboard for initiating conversation on Mars Hill. Let us follow his example and not throw up so many walls when a movie is not perfectly in line with scripture, let's consider the source and be mindful that truth springs often from pagan lips.
A1C Alexander Caldwell
Flight Medicine ex. 4705 4 Fox

PREACH IT BROTHER
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001
From: Kim

Caldwell Alexander - preach it brother!!!
I agree wholeheartedly.
Kim

DISAPPOINTED
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001
From: Jendi

My first post to this list. I agree with those who are disappointed in Chocolat's portrayal of Christianity. It would have been a much better film if the representative of grace and forgiveness had not been opposed to the church, as Vianne was, but rather someone who presented the life-giving message as a Christian message. If Vianne didn't want to go to church, fine, but if she's so enlightened and compassionate, why did she disrespect others' beliefs by opening her shop during Lent, a deliberate provocation? The movie left the impression that Christianity was the problem, not the solution. Also, in this day and age, do we really need a sermon against self-restraint? It seems that the vice of this time period is quite the opposite.
Jendi

RESPONDING TO ROB
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001
From: Kim

In response to Rob on March 12, I can understand where you're coming from.

You did make sense! However, I would challenge you to see that the church often IS the villain by judging and condemning all those outside it's walls. Jesus never did any such thing, but he *did* judge those that believed themselves pious and righteous in their own eyes. Unfortunately, there are too many Christians like that, and in the movie Vienne reminded me of so many people I've met that have been turned off God because they've met too many jerks that claimed to know Him. I would feel the same way!

It is such an important fable about *grace*, and I doubt the writer had theological correctness in mind when it was written. If the movie had been produced/directed by a professing Christian I might have felt differently about it, but it wasn't. It's challenging though to know how to put grace and truth together without becoming a big moral marshmallow that accepts everything in the name of accepting everyone.
Kim

AGREE WITH GUY
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001
From: Chris

My first post to this list. I agree with Guy. Roger Ebert easily pegged the now steroetypical portrayal of the church or religion in moview. Even the priests Easter sermon in the end was less a sinple Christian declaration of the redemption of Christ (which could have been an effective coda to the movie) but more a soft, generic message focusing on the good things Christ did when he was alive.

I like the Director. I thought Cider House Rules in spite of its clear pro-choice stance effectively posed the difficulties of caring for the hurting,pregnant women and the children they have. But in this movie Mr Hallstrom doesn't ask us to work so hard. As other reviewers have pointed out he makes it too easy. One third of the way in one could already see the whole plot laid out. Even the "twist" of the Johnny Depp character (Vianne couldn't guess his favorite) foretold that he would less under her spell and she more under his.

I would disagree with Ethan. Though its been over 8 years since I sw Babette's feast, I still recall it as one of the great "food" movies. And I beleive it had (intentionally or otherwise) a strong Christian message of unconditional love, self-sacrifise, forgiveness and redemption. And it was a better movie. I would agree with Ethan, you should rent it. Of the "food" movies I've seen it's #1 or 2 (with the other being "Big Night" directed by Stanley Tucci.
That's all for now
Chris

COMENTARIO SOBRE
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001
From: "Antonio Yglesias" antonioy@sol.racsa.co.cr

Escribo en español. Me es más fácil. "Chocotat" tiene una virtud: es clara. Explora una realidad difícil de comunicar, a pesar de que Jesús, hace muchos años, lo planteó muy claramente. El Amor de Dios no debe limitarse a unas cuantas leyes y mucho menos, no debe de ser nunca fruto del miedo, miedo a vivir, miedo a ser, miedo a sentir. La vida es un homenaje al Creador y ésta ha de ser vivida con alegría y corazón abierto. Creo que ahí está la enseñanza de esta estupenda película. Cerrarse al amor es cerrarse a Dios. La ley judaica era lo mismo y Jesús arremete en contra de ella cuando palpa su dureza y sequedad. Este film es un conjunto de metáforas que nos invitan a reflexionar sobre ese mismo tema, y creo que lo logra, pues nos enfrenta a realidades espirituales que son reales aún en nuestro tiempo. La historia en sí es un fábula, pero muy bien narrada, muy bien contada, con gusto y talento. Todo lo que nos permita expander nuestra conciencia hacia el Amor verdadero, que es fraternidad y ternura por todas las creaturas, sea bienvenido.
Antonio Yglesias. antonioy@sol.racsa.co.cr

THE PRIEST'S SERMON
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001
From: Caldwell Alexander A A1C

I disagree with the post that said that true Christianity and piousness were not distinguished from each other in this film. The priest gave a simple yet profound sermon at the end of the film that put my mind at ease and showed that the film makers cared enough to make the distinction, The priest said "I don't want to talk so much about Jesus' death as much as how he lived, let us show our devotion to God not by what we reject but by what we embrace" Strong words indeed, I saw the film twice and the second time I shouted a loud "Amen" to the Sermon. I was bowed over, did I just hear what I thought I heard? The people that Christ spent the most time attacking were religious zealots, some of whom, like the town mayor might have been pure in their motives. But pure motives are so often sullied by hurtful actions. Rejection is a harmful action and has blackened the eye of Christianity for to long. Jesus was very clear when he said to go to the highways and byways and compel them to come to the wedding feast, it is the love of Christ that constrains men to believe, I love the scene where Viannne and her daughter go to the river to welcome the river rats, to me Vianne was a beautiful model of Christ and his kindness, A remarkable movie.
A1C Alexander Caldwell
Flight Medicine ex. 4705 4 Fox

WHAT GRACE CAN DO TO A VILLAGE
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001
From: Marcus W. McFaul

This is a marvelous movie with many homiletical opprtunities! The mayor finally allows himself to experience grace/forgiveness/acceptance and it happens on Easter! The scene in the shop-window is his rebirth, with priest and shop-owner as vehicles of God's grace to him. It is amazing what grace can do for a village. The mayor at one point is helping the priest pull weeds as he is discussing the"enemy." By the end let's hope is is more interested in plantingwheat. Go see this movie, it's marvelous.
Marcus W. McFaul, Senior Pastor,
First Baptist (ABC/USA) Lawrence, Kansas

INSPIRING
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001
From: Erin

What an inspiring parable!

THE CHURCH IS THE VILLIAN
Subject: The church is depicted flatly as the villain
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001
From: david

I agreed with Rob who suggested that "the church is depicted flatly as the villain." When I left the theatre I was ambivalent because I enjoyed the movie but didn't like the message. I felt embarrassed; as though I had just sat through a mockery of my faith and yet I wasn't really outraged because I rather agreed with it.

As I reflected on the message, I realized that the author and/or screenwriter (Harris/Jacobs) were appropriately critical of the hypocritical behavior of the Comte, the Priest and others such as the abusive husband, Serge. However, their religion was legalism, not Christianity. Jesus seemed to reserve his harshest words for just this kind of legalistic pseudo-faith.

What frustrated me was that Harris & Jacobs didn't distinguish between "CHURCHianity" and true CHRISTianity. The latter is based on a daily relationship with one's redeemer. It is in response to what He has done for us that motivates us to do good works (Christianity) rather than our doing good works in order to attempt to win His acceptance and approval (legalism/Churchianity).

Though Harris & Jacobs were effective in unmasking the hypocritical behavior of the villagers, they offered as their only answer to such behavior people (such as Vianne, Madame Audel and Roux) who simply threw off their false religion without embracing true faith. Movie goers without a true relationship with the living Jesus will likely find fodder in this storyline for the rejection of the church altogether - Vianne, Madame Audel and Roux were certainly portrayed as being more content outside the legalism of the church.

In short, Harris & Jacobs created a believable straw man and then crushed it with humor and poignancy. I wish that the heroes in this fable had been grace-filled, born-again believers. That answer would be far less harmful than theirs.

BABETTE'S FEAST?
Subject: Movie comment
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001
From: Ethan

I haven't seen Chocolat yet, but after reading the review and the comments, it seems strikingly similar to the movie "Babettes Feast". Has anyone seen "Babettes Feast" who has comments?

LENT
Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2001
From: Mark Whittaker, Pastor

I just saw the movie tonight having read the review. The story takes place in the forty days of Lent starting with the beginning of Lent and ending on Easter Sunday, not over the period of a year. Elizabeth Achtemeier says "God willed for humankind to have abundant life, but that abundant life is possible only in relationship with God. Otherwise we know only chaos, darkness, evil, and finally the void of death." Both sides in the "conflict" fail to understand this and pull the village away from God and the joy and commitment that God calls from everyone.
Mark Whittaker -Pastor,
First UMC Homosassa Florida
Come and see the Manatees!

GOOD FLICK
Subject: Good Flick
Date: Sun, 04 Mar 2001
From: Eric

I walked away from the film thinking it was a good versus evil battle. But, the more I think about it, especially after worshipping today, I see it as a battle between legalistic rulers who fear things of which they have been forbidden to partake, i.e., chocolate.

Vianne brought joy to the lives of the empty people living in that village in the same way Christ tocuhed the leper when told by the Jews not to do so.

Great film! A must see!

A TYPE OF CHRIST?
Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2001
From: Nils Blatz

Dear David, You say that the heroine in Chocolat is "a type of Christ" who comes to break the legalism of relgious faith.

The reason this does not work is that Vianne Rocher has absolutely no interest in religious faith, she is presented as utterly indifferent to the community of worshippers.

Jesus, on the other hand, (like Paul, Peter, etc. etc.) was deeply committed to, deeply involved in, the synagogue. "He was in the synagogue on the sabbath day as was his custom." And from the inside he was a fierce fighter for a newer covenant.

(I also think that your perspective denigrates 1st century Judaism as a particularly legalistic faith, but that's off the main point -- which is Chocolat.)
Warm regards, Nils Blatz

Response: Yes, yes you are right the parallel is not perfect. There are differences between Christ and Vianne Rocher, to be sure. And, I am sure the author never intended such a connection. But indeed Vianne is a Christ figure because she comes to liberate the people. As far as Judaism in the 1st century being a particularly legalistic faith -well, it was and is. It is based on the five books of Moses, the Torah (the Law). But the Law is not without Grace -which may be your point -and in that you are right. -David.

FORGIVENESS FOR BREAKING A SACRAMENT
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Mike

I saw the film yesterday and I was struck by the legalism that dominated the count's life and ways. Yet he needed the forgiveness of grace that he could not accept. His belief that the sacrament of marriage must be upheld flew in the face of his own need of forgiveness for his own failed marriage. Vianne represented something that the count could not accept: that there can be forgiveness for even the sin of breaking a sacrament. This is a dangerous belief, but a reality. Grace extends to all who will humble themselves and ask. The count could not truly be humble until he had committed a true sin, the break-in, and then experience the grace of the chocolate.

The church is depicted flatly as the villain
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001
From: Rob

This movie would have been much better if the conflict had merely been between legalism and grace. As it is it is a straw man argument against Christianity.

The possibility that the religious people in this movie misunderstand Christ is not presented. The Comte and the others are presented as "the Church of Legalism" not as merely legalistic Church members .The real reason someone would give up chocolate for Lent is not because it is bad, but precisely because it is good. Obviously, the Christians in this movie are in need of grace, but so is Vienne. Ultimately, the all-bad church comes around to the all-good pagan's way of thinking. There was an attempt to show Vienne as not having all the answers, but her "growth" was the result of her interplay with someone with the same worldview as her own. The church ultimately contributes nothing to her development as a person.

If the movie had been set in Victorian England with a Dickensian villian (the cruel schoolmaster, the cold-hearted industrialist) the story would have worked much better. But since the church is depicted flatly as the villain I think there is no room to interpret chocolate as a metaphor for God's grace. I hope I make sense!!

BIBLE PASSAGE FOR CHOCOLAT
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001
From: Kris Childress

David, This New Testament passage kept coming to mind as I watched Chocolat. (I think that the humiliation of the Comte at the end is a perfect illustration.)
Kris Childress
(Colossians 2:20-23 NIV) Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: {21} "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? {22} These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. {23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

MERE PLEASURE?
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001
From: Sonja

Is the chocolate pleasure or is it grace? A taste from the table of feast of the pascal victory over death and the law?

Response: Yes, I think that is right: Chocolate equals grace. -David

PAGANISM?
Subject: paganism?
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001
From: Guy

Did Hollywood Jesus see the same movie as Roger Ebert? He said it was "about a war between the forces of paganism and Christianity, and because the pagan heroine has chocolate on her side, she wins." Is she a witch, a pagan priestess? And what's all this about a showdown on Easter Sunday? Surely Ebert doesn't have more Christian perception than Hollywood Jesus, does he? Or maybe he's just over reacting to the culture wars? Help us to understand.
Guy

Response: It is about legalism. The heroine is a type of Christ who comes to break up the rigidity of religion. If enjoying pleasures like chocalote is paganism, then I am a pagan. -David

Back to Review