Chocolat redux

OMG, as my 13-year-old would say! Tonight I watched it again for probably only the second time and WOW!!! More impressed even than the first time.

This film has so many levels of intrigue for me. The characters are rich. The look of the film is hypnotic. The actors are so incredible that I am transported!

I want to wear ONLY red pumps from now on! So many issues of mine are explored here. There is the "outsider who stirs things up" facet of my persona. There is the "geez, all I want to do is belong" lemming-wanna-be part of me. There is the "I want to help people explore their potential" aspect. There is the "I just want to settle down and be content" part, too.

I love how the film exposes that most the townspeople (like most of us) are living quiet little lies, some innocuous, some dangerous and violent - like Josephine. Josephine has no self-esteem and feels trapped and small and unimportant. Vianne shows her kindness, respect, and wants only to be her friend. This act of utmost kindness transforms Josephine from a pathetic repeat victim of her husband's merciless beatings and unkindnesses into a vibrant, caring, joyful, capable woman who loves to bring joy to others through her new-found skills and confidence.

We all want to stop living lies and jump into living only the truth, but most of us never have a Vianne step in to help us do that. I used to hear people talking about "Jesus with skin on." This Vianne character is just that. She performs the role of a savior for this town, and that is exactly what Jesus would've done had he walked into town in 1959 as Vianne did.

The half-of-a-Milo's-tea-jug-of-margaritas during the movie is really helping me explore my deeper thoughts about the film, too.

My favorite theme/sub-plot in the movie is the way that Juliette Binoche as Vianne shows the townspeople the true meaning of Christianity while everyone else (especially Alfred Molina's character - Renaud) is concerned with the "church" and the sacraments, and the holy days. Vianne is busying herself with the well-being of each of the people in the town. The mayor is worried about the propriety and the tradition of the town. Vianne wants to end suffering (her own, really, but she focuses her energy on the suffering of others) so she welcomes the townfolk into her shop and offers her heart through her wares - the chocolat - and loves them where they are, looking into their very souls and seeing them for who they are. She sees their needs and speaks to them in a personal way that reaches out and heals them. Joy bursts onto the scene in the most surprising ways for even the crustiest of characters - Armande.

I've shared my passion for chocolate with many friends when I tell them about Lindt's Lindor Truffles. These things are better than sex for some, and a great accessory during sex for others. I highly recommend that EVERYONE who reads this go out NOW, not tomorrow, not in an hour, NOW and BUY a milk chocolate or dark chocolate truffle from this maker of decadent, sinful, fabulous liquid, olfactory, tastebud SIN!!! No confessions or hail marys required. DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Just watch this film again (or for the first time if you haven't yet) and see which character you most identify with. See which theme or subtheme most touches you.

The message for me is to stop SETTLING for less than what OUGHT to be. Stop settling for "just enough." Stop letting people off the hook with having given less than 100%.

SO!!!!! All you friends of mine out there, you need to look out. I'm looking at YOU. You know who I'm talking to right now, don't you??? Call me - 205-401-6373. I love you, and you know it, and I'm going to show you more now than I ever have. I will not leave you where you are, but I will walk with you through that fire you face.