Customer Reviews

The Chocolate War

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Rarely, if ever, does one see a movie about high school that has artistic merit. This one does! Lots of POV shots and sequences that illustrate a state of mind. Captures the stupidity, cruelty, and quiet despair of those awkward years. Not "Citizen Kane," or anything, but almost poetic.

With an excellent story line, great music by "Yaz" and superior photography, this movie should be a staple of anyone's collection. I was very glad to see that it is finally coming to DVD. I have never seen it on television or cable which is unfortunate because I think that its storyline has much universal appeal. The opposition of Jerry Renault to the dreaded secret society known as "the Vigils" would probably appeal to today's "DaVinci Code" crowd. The movie is full of symbols, intrigue and even a certain amount of violence. In my opinion, this movie has a little bit of everything for everyone and is one of the true "lost gems" of Hollywood.

Archie Costello is one of the cruelist characters in the so-called "literature for young adults" genre. He is an accurately rendered, charismatic sadist who is brought to the screen convincingly by Wally Ward in this nearly-faithful adaptation of Robert Comier's fascinating study in the "collusion in cruelty" of supposedly good people. Robert Comier cuts no slack in his story...the bad guys win and the consequences are even worse in the sequel, Beyond the Chocolate War. The film (with its avenging angel ending), however, is neither sacchrine, nor as tidy as some viewers contend. True, Archie...anti-hero, to the max...gets his. But Jerry Renault, the would-be hero of the film (who gets hell beat out of him in the novel) does not escaped unscathed by the "Something Wicked" that has come the way of Trinity High School in the carnival guise of a fund raising candy sale. The Chocolate War is that...Archie knows how to punch the buttons of cowardice and fear. The film...like the book...is unpleasant, but engaging because of the truths it posits about human nature. Ignore the bogus ending of the film and you'll be left with an ugly taste in your mouth which certainly isn't chocolate but might serve as the necessary medicine of reality. Recommended with caveats!!!

There are many coming of age movies but this one is definitely unique. Story is about all boys private school where many come from well off families and others are scholarship kids. No matter which social background they come from, they all try to blend in and feel accepted by their peers. It seems that most boys that crave popularity and accepatnace are members of the group called "Vigils". Their leader is cunning and handsome young man, yet mean. In a new year as freshman arrive, Vigils target most vulnerable one of the freshman for the membership where the acceptance is earned by rites of passage - surviving bulling by the other Vigils members. In order to get accepted in this fraternity type of (false) brothehood, our main character pledges not to sell any of the 50 boxes of chocolates intended for a school fundraiser for 10 days. When the pledge's 10 days elapse, everyone is stunned to learn that boxes continue not to sell by our young man who stubornly refuses to particiapte int he fundraiser sale. His seeming vulnerability (his mother died) is turning into rebellion that is admirable by other boys who realize that conformity is not always path to acceptance, respect and admiration. It is heartening to see how boys can be so hurtful to each other, but also wonderful to see that our hero does not waiver under pressure. He stands his grounds and becomes moral winner. They say that film was made from the book that was both controversional and banned. Now I really want to read that book! I have never heard about books banned in US - land of free speech.

I believe Keith Gordon of all people directed this film. You know, the kid from "Back to School", and "Christine."Based on young adult novel by Robert Cormier, who also wrote "I am the Cheese." <--Check out my review on that movie too.Anyway, Catholic student, Jerry Renualt stands up to authority, God I like him already, by refusing to sell chocolates for his school. This divides the school - now the Vigils, a secret society of schoolboys decide to make Renualt's life a living hell. John Glover as a Catholic school teacher is crazy, and funny in a sick way. There is also a messege here about crooked politics, and how sometimes it's just better off to "play the game". Beware! The ending of the film, is completely opposite than the ending of the book. Low-Budget, but still moving. Bet it brings back some high school memories.

This movie follows the book very closely. The ending is just a bit different, but it's the same overall theme as in the book. the main character Jerry Renualt attends a Catholic school, Were he deals with an upscale gang called the vigils, who run the show. The movie is almost a satire but not quite, it keeps its realism and stays believeable. Often Novals of this sort do not make very good movies but this is an exception.

"The Chocolate War", in this movie the title doesn't really give you a clue until after you see it unlike in most movies where as the title does give a clue to what it's going to be about. This movie is good for two main reasons; it reminds us of exactly how mean people can be and of how people take advantage of others. I'm sure you can think of at least one person that you can relate to Archie or Brother Leon. Everyday we come across people with characteristics like those of Brother Leon and Archie whose, sole purpose is to control and destroy.
The vigils are like an "Old School" gang. It's all about respect and if they don't respect you then they won't take you seriously and if they don't take you seriously then they won't obey you, and that's when the trouble starts. So, yea it's all about respect!
See, Brother Leon's whole plan was to sell more chocolates than usual to impress the board, but it became so much more. I guess you could say it kind of turned into a drug pushing operation except the drugs were the chocolates!

This movie is based on a book that I have read on many occasions. As much as hate I when books that enjoy become films, this film is an exception to my normal beliefs. I have found that this film depicts all the characters in ways that are true to the original story. Having seen the movie years after having read the story I have that it brings back all the memories and images that I remember from the novel of the Vigils and Chocolate Sale. I would have to say this is the most accurate dipiction of any story that I have ever read.

I remember watching this movie my senior year of high school, this is how it is in schools but taken to the darkest of forms. Blackmail and Terror what happens when students are given freedom, and what happens when they get too much freedom. The ending in the movie and the ending of the book are entirely different. This movie is an amazing film and this is Keith Gordon's first directoral debut. The movie is very accurate to how the book is for the most part even down to the kids kicking the crap out of the main character. It is a shocking movie and the book is just as shocking. I went to a public high school, but not sure of all the horror stories told of private schools. This movie gives someone a glimpse into it. Highly recommended.

This movie has SO many underlying themes: Power/Corruption/Peace/War/Alienation/Brotherhood/Finding oneself/ TOO MANY TO LIST!!
This is a powerful, powerful movie about a young man's struggle to achieve that all-to-fleeting "freedom of self-government" in a world where that is simply not possible. Conform, conform, conform! Set in a Catholic school, this is a model of the world and it's issues on a platter. The directorial debut from Keith Gordon features ground-shaking performances; Wally Ward and John Glover deliver weep-worthy characters! Also noteworthy is the fitting soundtrack, unfortunately unavailable for purchase. WHY GOD is this title not on dvd? FIVE STARS *****!!