Movie Review of Chocolat

Chocolat released in 2000 is an amusing romantic comedy/drama, based on a novel written by Joanne Harris and directed by Lasse Hallstrom. It features Juliette Binoche as the lead actress, Johnny Depp and also Victoir Thivisol. The background music is composed by Rachel Portman and Gabriel Yared, is the set director. Stephanie McMillan and Cinematographer, Roger Pratt have done a good job too.The Film Editor is Andrew Mondshein,and the beautiful Screenplay is by Robert Nelson Jacobs.

Set in a village of France, the movie revolves around Vianne( Juliette), who is an unwed mother, and her daughter Anouk (Victoir) who come over to the village on foot along the heavily blowing North wind. The village is a tradionalist one whose activities are regulated by the Catholic Church. A few days after settling down in the town, Vianne opens a confectionery shop, which is located right opposite to the church; a few days after lent had begun. The town people, although supposed to be abstaining from worldly pleasure, are tempted by the delicious chocolate creations put up in the shop’s display window. As the days pass, more and more people succumb to the enticement. The Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), the Mayor, does not favor this “shamelessness”, and tries ways to make Vianne run out of the village. Vianne, however is not influenced and with the help of another new comer to the village, an Irish gypsy Roux (Depp) plans an “Grand festival of chocolate” on Easter Sunday. Events take a turn, and on Easter the whole village is seen enjoying the chocolate festival.

The movie has a nice speed although it slows down at some events.  The script is a nice blend of the archaic and modern mindset, at instances in the film the viewer might think, “that’s exactly what my grandma says!”  But then there are also instances when the modern mindset prevails and the viewer is left with a smile. The dialogues are interesting and the characters beautifully evolve into their better selves. The movie flows smoothly and there are no rough ends, the costumes fits the movie well and contributes in building the French rustic charm of the film. The location is a well chosen one and it helps to feel the atmosphere the director is trying to build. There not much background music in the movie, but the little that is well balanced.

Chocolat is a good choice for a relaxed and smooth movie experience, it has no surprises in it but at the same time it is not devoid of a good storyline. It is a treat for chocolate lovers and people who are looking for a movie to help them refresh and rewind. Except for the occasional slow speed, it makes for a nice watch. :)

An Old Friend :)

My grandfather is not one of the typical Indian grandfathers. He doesn’t look old; his looks can beat those of Varun Dhawan’s any day! He looks as young as anyone can think. Every morning there is always his smiling face to greet me good morning and raise my spirits for the day up ahead. His constant reminder to plan my day in advance ensures that I don’t waste any time during the day.

 He is not lethargic, not a bit. He goes for regular morning walks in one of the largest zoos in the country—The Sanjay Gandhi Zoo (Patna). Once I decided to go for a walk with him and see for myself how big the zoo can get to anyone wanting to take a long walk. Trust me, it can actually get very big! You might even end up searching for the end of the jogging track if you aren’t used to jogging A LOT! Just like me. :P I can’t  even match his speed! Forget beating him and his speed!  As if that wasn’t enough he even goes for evening walks! This one isn’t as organized as the morning ones, there is no fixed time. Sometimes he’ll be off by five thirty and sometimes it’s seven in the clock when he leaves for his walks. For those who are going to tell me that the zoos close at five in the evening, let me tell you it’s not in the zoo, it’s more of a Know-The-City kind of walks around the city. It is therefore no wonder that he knows the neighborhood better than anyone us does.

He does not bore anyone with his talks, rather I always wait for his stories. It’s astounding how he still has new stories in his bag after SO many years, and he doesn’t repeat any single one of them! Many of essays are inspired and some even copied from them. (keep this a secret! ) He is very humorous too; he has an intelligent and witty sense of humor which pops up at the least expected and most required places! From quirky jokes to excellent sarcasm, everything is amazing!

I am  really grateful that I have such a great Grandpa. One who is not only my guide when needed, but also my friend, a friend who never leaves my side in any circumstance. I am glad, very glad!

My Reality Of Happiness

 Happiness going by the words of the dictionary is the quality or state of being happy. But happiness to me is the process of finding small little joys in everyday life, not just a smile or joke. I am sure each one of us rejoices when she or he is given a lovely surprise, or their favorite dress or dish or something like that, but wait, is it all that gives us happiness?? I don't think so. there are so many tiny things that make us happy but we never think of adding them to our feel happy list.

There a lot of things that give me happiness and cheer me up. Many. I dont really know how I am going to put them all in words. They are just like the stars in the sky, tiny yet innumerable.

I feel happy when I see people running around and playing. I feel happy when I see a child trying to walk even though she might have fallen several times. I feel delighted when I see my friends playing my favorite games. I am cheerful happy when a good match is going on, I don't care if my favourite player is losing but  I do care for the quality of sport that she or he is playing. I feel happy when I see people laughing and smiling. I feel happy when someone puts forth their views about something.

I feel happy when I see my friends doing well at their tests and exams. I feel spirited when I spend time with my loved ones. I feel happy when my friends are able to achieve their goals through hard-work. I feel happy when I am able to help the underprivileged and bring a smile on their faces. I feel happy when I see a poor kid seeing big dreams.

 I do not know why people don't like to spend any time on their own, I love it. I love it when I am able to spend time with only myself. It gives me happiness. I feel happy when I am with Nature too, be it in my garden or in a park, or when I am on a vacation, or in the middle of a vast stretch of trees. I rejoice when the air gently touches me, and makes me feel as if the trees want to say something to me. I rejoice when I am able to feel the coolness of water on myself and also when the flames of the fire light up a dark place and fill it up with a wonderful light.

 Happiness is not the absence of troubles but the ability to deal with them cheerfully. Happiness too is subject to changes but what ever may happen I will always try and find happiness in everything that I go through.

My Friends and Me

It is not even the end of March, and it seems as if centuries have gone by. It seems as if I gave my 10th board exams last year! Board exams ......God! They used to get all my adrenaline running and very soon ....over.
I was to be true, waiting for the board exams to get over as soon as humanly possible, and now! When they have actually got over..... I miss them.
I do not miss only the fact that the exams got the best out of me. I studied around fourteen to fifteen hours a day! A thing , which I would otherwise, myself wonder with wide open eyes and be saying to myself " how is it even possible????" not that I do not like to study,I love to , in fact!, But fifteen hours out of twenty four, kuch zyada nahi ho gaya?
I miss so many lilliputian, tiny details, that I am sure if any of my friends came to know, she or he would laugh so so so much at me! I miss a lot of things, little things, that we in our daily life don't even notice, forget sparing a second thought to!
I miss my friends, now that we finally have a break from school and studies, we can't meet regularly. Sadly so. I miss all my friends-- the close ones, nad the not-so-close ones. The real ones and the fake ones. the intelligent ones and the dim-wits. The funny ones and the serious ones. The do-good-ers and the lets-not-do-good-ers. The quiet ones,the loud ones, the loving ones, the hating ones. The ones who would swear at me due to their love for me and even those who would love me in my presence and swear at me when I was gone. Everyone, I miss everyone of them. Its funny how when you have them you don't mind getting rid of them, but in their absence you want them back as soon as you can.  I loved and still love them all!!
I miss the fun we had during classes, those secret signs, the silent laughter, the sarcastic jokes, every recess fighting for each others lunch boxes, calling each other "moti", " bhukkhad", "pagal", even though we all knew we were all equally mad and had a larger appetite than the other! I miss the way my friends would jump at me, hug me "gooooood morning". I miss the way, how we would plan our places with so much seriousness as if the country's defence would collapse if we didn't. I miss the way how we would embarass some people and then enjoy it to our heart's delight. I miss every second I spent with my friends. They make life....liveable!
I miss the morning bell, that would bring us all to a standstill, I miss the wait our class did for the bell

to ring after a boring class had begun. I miss so much! I know my life has not come to the end point that I should be missing so much, but then I also know that life will never be the same. I won't be able to drown myself in the carelessness and relaxation of life with my friends till now. I might not have the same supportive friends beside me, who would be ready to fight with anyone and everyone whenever the need arose. I know studies will get tougher and duties shall increase too. I know expectations shall rise and carelessness shall not go unnoticed. I know that movies and hang-outs will get less time and books and note-books more. In spite of all this, I am very very very sure, that I will be able to make time for all the things I need to. I know I will. My life is definitely going to be beautiful... More beautiful than I can ever imagine.