opposition

 Like her ancestors, Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter are drifters who are met with skepticism and resistance when they move to a conservative town in the winter of 1959.The clever wind leads her to a tranquil French village in rural France and there she opens a chocolate shop across the street from the local church during the days of Lent.

As Vianne begins to work her magic and help those around her, the townspeople are soon attracted by her exuberance and her delicious chocolates - except for the mayor Comte Paul de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), who sees Vianne as an immoral provocateur and quietly contests against her.He is determined to shut her down.Vianne is a determind lady who against the wishes of the mayor gives Josephine(Lena Olin) shelter and courage to stand up to her brute husband and cast off his oppressive domination. She helps the town people and brings happiness to their dull and monotonous life.When a group of river drifters(gypsies) visit the town they are looked upon like dirt and ignored.Vianne finds herself attracted to the Irish wanderer Roux (Johnny Depp) whose attraction to Vianne is mutual. Vianne teaches the townspeople that genuine goodwill and acceptance of the humanity in other people can be far more virtuous and divine than complying with social or religious conventions. In the process of helping others discover joy and value in themselves, Vianne finds love and end to her wanderings.