Better Than Chocolate (1999)
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.
Watch Trailer
Free Trial Channels
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
Truly Dreadful Film
A Brilliant Conflict
It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.
A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.
I had high expectations going into this movie. I've heard such good things about it, and saw that it won those awards. About a quarter of the way through, though, I realized that it wasn't so great. Most of the characters were pretty one-dimensional. From the over-bearing, life-invading mother, to gang-raping skinhead men who randomly roaming the streets of Vancouver. Also, there's the transwoman who has a lame, self-introducing musical number about being a transwoman. Every antagonistic character was portrayed as fairly Neanderthal-like. Such as the belligerent lesbian trying to kick the transwoman out of the ladies' room, and the men who apparently react to a gorgeous naked woman with ARSON (seriously, WTF). Anyways, it had some delicious erotic scenes, and some nice romantic sappiness, so it's really not to unbearable to watch, if you don't think to hard.
I heard nothing but how great this movie was and that it was the best "real lesbian" movie out there. Sad to say, this was probably close to the worst lesbian flick I have spent two hours watching. It was so unrealistic that I found it a spoof, more than anything. People in the LGBT community constantly complain about the lack of respect that is given to this lifestyle, with movies like this what are they wanting from people? Straight people have no other basis to judge other than what hate breeds in its own in society, something that there is no control over from the alternative community. So when there is something that can be controlled, like LGBT entertainment, we release ones that are completely juvenile, disrespectful and asinine. It makes the gay lifestyle look like nothing more than a congregation of narcissistic nymphos. Very disappointing on every level.
I caught this movie on one of the many channels I had back when I had digital cable, and I have to admit, it was rather enjoyable...the sex scenes aren't that bad either.Clichéd? Yes. Stereotypical? Absolutely! I guess the movie's major flaw was trying too hard to portray everyone in the GLBT lifestyles in a positive light. Note to the filmmakers; when you're making a film with a GLBT audience in mind, you're preaching to the choir! What works: The sex scenes: yes, I'll admit it, I'm a horny mo-fo. Normally, I'm one of those few guys who really doesn't enjoy girl-on-girl action, but all I have to say, is DAAAAMMMMNNN! That has some scenes I wouldn't mind trying with my own girlfriend! What doesn't work: A lot of the plot elements can get a little hokey, say, for example, the angry misandristic lesbian beating up on the poor transgendered person. Or the group of Nazi Skinheads who get their jollies beating people up anyways. I guess they had to come up with some conflict, as if one of the central characters trying to hide the relationship from her mom isn't conflict enough! But I digress..."Better than Chocolate" is not supposed to be a thinking-person's drama, you're not supposed to dissect the plot and visuals to find the movie's meaning. That's what films are for (there is a difference!). It's just something to make you feel good at the end, which it does for me...in more ways than one!
I can honestly say that I have never seen a lesbian move that really made me feel all warm and snuggly. I just thought the whole plot was perfect. I have nothing bad to say about the actual movie itself. I really thought they picked the perfect people to play the main parts. Having good actors and actresses really make the whole movie more enjoyable.Better Than Chocolate certainly was one of those movies where you could sit back and relax and just enjoy it. A true romantic comedy. I personally have not seen a movie that shows what life is really like for lesbians and well, this one certainly does. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone. Old and young alike.