According to health and medical studies, the chemicals in chocolate can cause positive, stimulating feelings in the body — even act as an aphrodisiac. Whether it is the rich acting or luscious cinematography, Chocolat, nominated for five Academy Awards, recreates the enjoyable feeling of eating delicious chocolate for the length of the film.

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, who was most recently nominated last year for his direction of Cider House Rules, Chocolat beautifully guides us through the fairy-tale-like story of Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche, The English Patient) and her young daughter as they move to a small French village and open a chocolate shop. But Lent has just begun and the small-minded mayor (Alfred Molina, Magnolia) believes she is sinful and attempts to put Vianne out of business and out of town. The mayor is angered further when a band of river rats, led by Roux (Johnny Depp, Sleepy Hollow), visits the town.

Binoche's performance, worthy of her Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, is not only charming and warm but succulent as well, providing the viewer with a character rich in depth and personality.

But the stand out performance comes from Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love) who plays Armande, the wise but light-hearted elderly woman who rents Vianne the space for her store. Dench, who recently won a Screen Actor's Guild Award for best supporting actress, is nominated in the same category in this year's Academy Awards. With perfect physicality along with the right spark in her eyes, Dench transforms a minor character into a scene-stealing role.

There are fine performances from Depp, as well as from Molina. Lena Olin (Ninth Gate) as Josephine, who is taken under the wings of Vianne. Carrie Anne Moss (The Matrix) as Armande's estranged daughter, adds depth to what could have been a simple story.

Filmed in France and the United Kingdom, vibrant colors combined with soft, gentle camera work make for a visually stunning watch that matches the top-notch acting.

Chocolat is enjoyable for the eyes, enriching for the ears and tantalizing to any tongue.

—Reviewed by Meghan Day