Curious whether anyone liked the movie or the book better?
Personally I preferred the movie to the book. I loved how whimsical the film was and found Vianne was a stronger and compelling character in the movie. Let me know ur opinion.
~Nia
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i didnt realise there was a book. i loved the film, and think id enjoy the book, is it also called Chocolat?
x
This is one of the few times I liked the movie more than the book. I hated the book's ending.
"The truth is never flattering, Dr. Adams."
"You fine, foxy lady."
I really enjoyed both. In fact, Chocolat is one of my favorite books (along with anything else written by Joanne Harris). There were certain elements of the book that I missed in the film. As a previous poster noted, the back-story of Reynauld was richer and more complex in the novel, and the character as a whole was much easier to sympathize with. However, I love the fact that the movie was set in the 1950s rather than present day. That era represented culture clash on a grand scale and bringing it down to the level of a small French community was a clever concept on the screenwriter's behalf.
"Memories like spies, the salt betrays my eyes again." -Turpentine, Brandi Carlile
I'm one of those people who seeks out the book after I've seen the movie because 99% of the time, the book is richer and more fulfilling than the movie.... BUT... I just finished reading the book Chocolat was "based" on and all I can say is BRAVO to the screenplay writers! The movie is so much better than the book and actually reading the book was an almost jarring experience because things were quite different - not just characters and subplots, but relationship dynamics and motivations. The screenplay writers really fleshed out many things and changed things for the better from the book and I can say that I gained nothing from reading it. (similar experience after reading Dances with Wolves!) That said, I wonder how the author feels knowing so many things were changed (improved!) from her novel? Hopefully she just laughed all the way to the bank and didn't take it personally.
shareI much, much preferred the novel to the movie. I thought the film was too sugary i.e. had no substance. Also really disliked it how they changed the majority of the details in the film, which lead to their importance - sybolically, metaphorically etc - being reduced, as well as the random character changes.
shareI liked both. I think if they'd filmed the book the priest would have come across as a dangerous psychopath and the whole tone of the film would have darkened. The changes they made for the film seemed quite drastic initially but along with a really good musical score preserved the feel of the book.
sharei disliked them both. the whole idea that anyone in France would have any objection to a chocolate shop is simply absurd. You can't throw a brick in france without htting a chocolate shop or a patisserie or so,ewhere selling luscious confectionary.
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