Chocolat, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Johnny Depp--Alfred Molina




Director: Lasse Hallstrom (An Unfinished Life, Something to Talk About)

Stars: Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Alfred Molina





When Vianne (Binoche) and her daughter move into the village and open a chocolatery during Lent, the good Catholics in the village are a little upset.  And things don't get any better when a group of gypsies sails down the river and decides to stay a while.

Don't watch during Lent, and go buy some delicious chocolate to eat while watching!  I love this movie!  It's not the cleanest, just as a warning- there is a little bit of sex, and some language, but overall, it's sweet and funny.

An Unfinished Life, 2005

Director: Lasse Hallstrom



Stars: Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Becca Gardner








When her current boyfriend beats her again, Jean (Lopez) takes her daughter Griff (Gardner) and heads for the only family she has left-- her late husband's father Einar (Redford).  Einar lives on a ranch and cares for his friend Mitch (Freeman), who was mauled by a bear and can't care for himself.  Einar never truly recovered from his son Griff's death, but as he gets to know his granddaughter, he finds the healing he needs.

This is one of those slow-moving movies.  And except for a tiny scene that could have just been left out and implied (yeah, it's about sex), I really liked this movie.