Adapted by screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs , Chocolat tells the story of Vianne Rocher, played by Juliette Binoche , who arrives in the fictional French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes at the beginning of Lent with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk.
She opens a small chocolaterie. Soon, she and her chocolate influence the lives of the townspeople of this repressed French community in different and interesting ways. The film began a limited release in the United States on December 22, , and went on general release on January 5, Critics gave the drama positive reviews and a number of accolades, praising its acting performances, its screenplay, and Rachel Portman 's score.
It received five nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards , including Best Picture. Vianne and her six-year-old daughter Anouk drift across Europe following the north wind, like Vianne's mother before her. In they arrive in a quiet French village, overseen by mayor the Comte de Reynaud, at the start of Lent. Vianne opens a chocolate shop; despite not fitting in well with the townspeople, she begins to make headway with some of the villagers, getting them to come to her shop.
Reynaud, who will not admit that his wife has left him, speaks out against Vianne for tempting the people during Lent.
Armande, Vianne's elderly landlady, is one of her first allies. Armande's daughter Caroline will not let her see her grandson Luc, as she is a "bad influence". Vianne arranges for him and his grandmother to meet in the chocolaterie, where they bond. After finding out about their secret meetings, Caroline reveals her mother is diabetic, but she continues to eat the chocolate when visiting the shop. Through their friendship, Josephine finds the courage to leave Serge after he beats her, moving in with Vianne and Anouk.
