“Better Than Chocolate” is a sweet Canadian rom-com about a young artist named Maggie who falls in love with a bookstore employee named Kim. The pair’s relationship is complicated by Maggie’s conservative mother, Kim’s closeted ex-girlfriend, and the shadow of AIDS. With humor and heart, the film explores themes of self-expression, acceptance, and sexual freedom like a rainbow flag flying high.
CLICK HERE⭳⭳⭳☑️_Watch Better Than Chocolate 1999 English Subtitles_
Review
I recently watched the movie “Better Than Chocolate”. It’s a love story between two women that came out in 1999, directed by Anne Wheeler and starring Wendy Crewson, Karyn Dwyer and Christina Cox. The plot is centered around Maggie (Dwyer), a young artist who falls in love with Kim (Cox), a bookstore clerk. However, their relationship is not accepted by Maggie’s mother Lila (Crewson) who comes to stay with her while hiding from the police.
The opening scene of the movie is quite intriguing. We see Maggie moving into a new apartment with her friend Judy (played by Peter Outerbridge). The first thing they do is have sex on the kitchen counter. While this might be shocking for some viewers, I think it sets the tone for what kind of movie we are about to watch – something that’s not afraid to take risks and challenge social norms.
The chemistry between Dwyer and Cox is electric. They have an undeniable attraction to each other and their scenes together are some of the most romantic and passionate moments in the movie. I particularly liked how their relationship was portrayed as something natural rather than sensationalized or overly politicized.
One of my favorite characters in the movie is Frances (Ann-Marie MacDonald), Kim’s transgender friend who runs an LGBTQ bookstore. She offers insightful commentary on queer culture and has some of the best one-liners in the movie. Her speech about not compromising for anyone else’s comfort was empowering and resonated with me.
The soundtrack of “Better Than Chocolate” is also worth mentioning. It features songs from artists like k.d Lang, Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, and Sarah McLachlan – all queer icons themselves. The music adds depth and emotion to certain scenes and helps create a more immersive experience for viewers.
Another interesting aspect of “Better Than Chocolate” is its portrayal of BDSM culture. Judy introduces Maggie to the world of BDSM and they attend a workshop together. While this might seem like an unnecessary addition to the plot, I think it’s important to showcase different aspects of queer culture and not just limit ourselves to heteronormative depictions of love and sexuality.
The movie also touches on issues such as censorship and police brutality. Lila is a conservative politician who is vocal about her anti-gay views. She tries to get books banned from Kim’s bookstore and eventually gets arrested for protesting at a Pride parade. These storylines add depth to the plot and highlight the fact that even in supposedly liberal societies, discrimination and bigotry exist.
In terms of criticism, some viewers may find the movie’s portrayal of queer culture too superficial or stereotypical. The characters are mostly white, cisgender, and able-bodied which could be seen as limiting or exclusionary for some audiences. However, I think it’s important to acknowledge that “Better Than Chocolate” was made in 1999 when representation was not as diverse or intersectional as it is today.
Overall, “Better Than Chocolate” is a charming movie that celebrates love in all its forms. It has humor, heart, and poignant moments that will stay with you long after the credits roll. If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic comedy with a queer twist, this movie definitely delivers.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 101
- Release : 1999-02-14
- Genre : Drama, Romance
- Cast : Karyn Dwyer as Maggie, Christina Cox as Kim, Wendy Crewson as Lila, Ann-Marie MacDonald as Frances, Peter Outerbridge as Judy
- Crew : Marny Eng as Stunt Coordinator, Alison Grace as Editor, Anne Wheeler as Director, Gregory Middleton as Director of Photography, Peggy Thompson as Writer
- Popularity 8.898
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : British Columbia Film, CITY-TV
- Summary : Not long after moving into her own place, Maggie finds herself with two unsolicited roommates: her recently divorced mother, Lila, and her young brother. The timing is especially bad, considering Maggie has fallen hard for an attractive woman, Kim, only hours before they move in. What could be a nonissue becomes increasingly complicated — since Maggie’s family is unaware of her sexual orientation, and Maggie is not open to sharing that information.
- Tagline : A delicious romantic comedy.
