Chocolat: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture (2001 Film) [Soundtrack]

Rachel Portman (Composer), Rachel Portman (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Rachel Portman, Rachel Portman
• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000056O00
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,506 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Minor Swing

2. Main Titles

3. The Story of Grandmere

4. Vianne Sets Up Shop

5. Three Woman

6. Vianne Confronts the Comte

7. Other Possibilities

8. Guillaume's Confession

9. Passage of Time

10. Boycott Immorality

11. Party Preparations

12. Chocolate Sauce

13. Fire

14. Vianne Gazes at the River

15. Mayan Bowl Breaks

16. Taste of Chocolate

17. Ashes to the Wind/Roux Returns

18. Caravan

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Director Lasse Hallstrom's recipe for Chocolat is bittersweet, a tale of human hope and frailty imbued with no small amount of symbolism. It's a story that requires a deft, sensitive musical touch, and Hallstrom has wisely turned again to English composer Rachel Portman for the honors. As she did on The Legend of Bagger Vance and her previous, Academy Award-nominated collaboration with Hallstrom, The Cider House Rules, Portman walks the fine line between preciousness and delicacy with grace and dignity. The gypsy flavor of Django Reinhardt's and Stephane Grappelli's "Minor Swing" sets the story's place and time, while Portman's gentle pastoral melodies outline its emotional core, with a few gratifying excursions into more Euro-ethnic music to keep it well-seasoned. The result is another quiet, powerful Portman masterpiece. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Chocolat Music from the Miramax Motion Picture 2001 Film

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hear the magic. September 20, 2001

By Victoria Tarrani

Format:Audio CD

Although I have not seen the movie Chocolat, I love the sound track. One night I stopped at a local bookstore where I spent a wonderful couple of hours browsing books, CDs, and movies. I love the audio stations that I call Music Bars, and so I listen. After hearing several tracks of Chocolat, I knew that I had to have the CD.

Amazon.com has provided short clips of five of the songs. "Minor Swing" which has a Spanish flavor that lifts my spirit. I feel like dancing. Next "Main Titles," which probably plays as the screen credits roll by gives me the sense of watching clouds or floating on a peaceful lake. "The Story of Granmere" is haunting, filled with a touch of sadness that is artfully woven by the notes. Returning to the wondrous Spanish or Gypsy ambiance of the first track, "Vivianne Sets Up Shop" brings a sensuous touch; I close my eyes and let my body sway in rhythm. "Three Women" captured my imagination imagination with the elixir of sensations.

The rest of the CD is just as wondrous. I play it as I am working in my office, and while it is true that I can be obsessive, I just cannot seem to get enough of the music. Rachel Portman created a masterpiece that makes me exhilarated and very satisfied.

Some day I will see the movie. Until then I willingly give up my troubles to let the music wrap around me. Five stars and magic.

Victoria Tarrani

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Portman Scores Another with Chocolat January 14, 2001

By Salvatore A. Ruggiero

Format:Audio CD

Rachel Portman, Academy-Award nominated composer from last year's orphan or abortion drama "The Cider House Rules" and winner for 1996's "Emma" has made another masterpiece - "Chocolat." Working again with director Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules,) she has created her own touching piece to one of the best movies of 2000.

Portman is without a doubt one of the greatest composers of our time. Her music has so much passion that it is amazing to listen to. On top of that, her score fits in so well with the picture that it is just awe-inspiring. "Chocolat" is no different.

Using simple tunes and balanced orchestra pieces, the soundtrack is harmonious to the ears. Once you begin, Portman takes you on a journey that she has set up for you. A journey where you can almost taste the passions and desires that the film shows you. This is where Portman proves that she is a genius. Hallstrom can show you what is going on with his camera, but Portman is able to tell you by using an orchestra to express the feelings of the film.

Some of the score may sound somewhat like "The Cider House Rules," but that is understandable. They are both of the same time period. Even John Williams sometimes becomes redundant. Unlike "The Cider House Rules," Portman has taken her vision "Chocolat" and changed it into fun and riveting melodies that include complex guitar pieces. There is more emotion placed in this album than her previous.

"Chocolat" is definitely Portman's best work yet. Her Golden Globe nomination only adds more icing to the cake. It is obvious that Rachel Portman has serious talent and the world is very blessed by being able to experience it.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant music from a great little film June 13, 2002

By Joanna Daneman #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The musical score for "Chocolat" was so integral to the film that you will smile at remembered scenes every time you play the CD. But the music also stands on its own.

I got the CD because I love the Django Reinhardt "Minor Swing" but I ended up being hugely impressed with the music written by Rachel Portman. She creates a wonderful, magical mood with her wistful melodies. This is a terrific "put something soothing on" CD that I play quite often. And it doesn't hurt to close your eyes sometimes, and see snow whirling around the enchanted town square of Lansquenet, and see Vianne's red cloak billowing in the wind.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but short February 21, 2001

By Jessica

Format:Audio CD

Ok I have to admit, after seeing the movie three times I had to buy the book and the soundtrack. Neither let me down, but I have to admit that the score seems too short! It's only 41 minutes long and it left me feeling as if something was missing.

Portman does wonders and indeed each track truly takes one back to the film (my stomach growls each time during the "Chocolate Sauce" track; no lie!). By far the best track is #1, the "Minor Swing". You will want to jump up and dance to this, as I have found myself doing in public while listening to this on my discman!

I have had this disc on constantly, from in my car to in my discman to in my cd player while falling asleep at night. The tracks are beautiful and mysterious, fitting the memory of the movie perfectly. You and your stomach will both agree.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Music that Melts in Your Mouth! January 14, 2001

By "bjeannes"

Format:Audio CD

While listening to the enchanting,delicious soundtrack of the film 'Chocolat' it swims through the brain and almost makes the chocolate palpable in the throat.

The lyrical, weaving (and sometimes wonderfully) minor-keyed score fairly oozes with bittersweetness (chocolat!) and Django seems to bring to life what a piece of good chocolate feels like after consuming some. Rather like after love-making some may say.

The music expands beyond the narrow streets, small shops, and limited minds in the French village which is the setting for the film and score. It goes through the streets, behind the closed bedroom doors, and huge double doors of the Church and proceeds to permeate the listener with a both delicious and haunting feeling.

In my opinion: The only appropriate (and justifiable) 'eatable' to have while listening to this album---The finest chocolate you can find, even just a little bit of a box. Or, if desperate, a Hershey Bar from the local gas station will still provide some ambiance for total immersion into the CD.