Chocolat (2000)

Chocolat poster

Miramax
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench
Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains a MAJOR spoiler for this film!

Synopsis: A mysterious woman named Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter arrive in a small French village and open a chocolate shop, much to the surprise and chagrin of the locals.

Kitty Cameo: In the beginning of the film Vianne and her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) arrive in town and call upon Armande Voizin (Judi Dench) to ask about the patisserie for rent. Their knocking on the door awakens Armande, who is sleeping in her chair. A white cat is standing by a saucer of milk on a table next to the chair.

Chocolat - white cat on table beside Armande Judi Dench on chair

As the two enter, the cat jumps down off the table. Only a small glimpse of the cat is visible for the rest of this scene.

Chocolat - white cat under table beside Armande Judi Dench on chair with Vianne Juliette Binoche and Anouk Victoire Thivisol

Closer to the end of the film, Armande’s grandson, Luc (Aurèlien Parent Koenig) is cleaning dishes after a party. He walks into the other room where Armande is sitting in her chair, the white cat on her legs.

Chocolat - white cat with Armande Judi Dench in chair and Luc Aurèlien Parent Koenig

Luc is going to pull the blanket up when he realizes is grandmother is dead. He pauses and then runs away, but the overhead shot of the scene does not show the cat anywhere in the room!

Chocolat - white cat with Armande Judi Dench in chair and Luc Aurèlien Parent Koenig