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Many lesbian movies are long on charm and short on production values; Better Than Chocolate has a solid dose of both and steamy sex scenes to boot. Our heroine Maggie (Karyn Dwyer), a clerk at a lesbian bookstore, meets footloose butch Kim (Christina Cox) and, after Kim's van is towed away, they move in together. Unfortunately for their romantic bliss, Maggie's mother, Lila (Wendy Crewson), and teenage brother move in that very evening thanks to Lila's impending divorce. But what really complicates matters is that Maggie can't bring herself to come out to her mother; even when she tries, Lila steamrolls through the conversation, like she knows what's coming and doesn't want to hear it. Interwoven with this is the struggle of Judy (Peter Outerbridge), a male-to-female transsexual who's in love with the bookstore's owner, Frances (Ann-Marie MacDonald), who's freaking out because customs officers are holding a list ofbooks at the border that they claim are obscene. The overlapping plots are deftly juggled, the personal and political are compellingly interwoven, and, most satisfying of all, the characters have problems that aren't going to be easily resolved. A handful of candy-colored lip-synching musical numbers give the movie some flash and the sex scenes give the movie some heat, but it's the elements of sorrow and ambiguity that really make the joy in Better Than Chocolate something to savor.--Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (131)

8 out of 5 stars!
Better Than Chocolate describes itself in the title... a feel good, laugh a lot movie, BTC will hook you into the plot right from the first scene. With an incredible array of characters, including a transgendered(male to female) woman named Judy, the movie is funny and heartfelt. The low budget filming makes it seem that much more real and the storyline is excellent, though the acting may be slightly amateur and the dialogue a little cheesy. The main couple, Maggie and Kim are lesbians, but they represent any other couple going through real-life problems. Wendy Crewson is wonderful as the lonely, unknowing mother, and she steals at least one of the hilarious scenes. Anne-Marie MacDonald plays Frances, the boyish owner of Ten Percent books, where only ten percent of the merchandise is books. Overall, it is a warm, feel good movie, predictable at times but for some reason, I keep watching it, and I find myself crying right along with the characters every time. Definitely see this movie if it's the last thing you do...

Better Than Chocolate between...
I give this movie five out of five stars. Although it moves rather quickly you can't help being hook. Twenty minutes of the movie has past and Maggie, 19, not-quite-out, college dropout, and working at Ten Percent bookstore (no it's not a discount store) meets Kim, a nomadic artist, butch but sweet and romance starts. There's a scene that will leave many people exploring the arts.

Within the first twenty minutes, Maggie meets and falls in love with vivacious Kim, helps her conservative lesbian boss fight customs who seem to be trying to put her out of business. Oh, don't forget Maggie has to find a place to live, because her newly divorce mother, Lila is moving in with her along with sibling, Paul, neither who know that Maggie's been living in a bookstore since she quite law school, and she's gay!

Couple this with her omisexual co-worker, and transgender friend, Judy, who has love and parent issues of her/his own, and you've got a great story.

I almost cracked up when Lila goes..."Kim do you have a boyfriend?" and Kim replies, "No...Funny that!" Everyone seems to be in on the joke, but Lila who replies, "What's wrong with boys?" Maggie's fighting off an uncontrollable need for laughter and the audience does too. Wendy Crewson as Lila is an added addition to this romantic comedy.

All said in done, I wonder what it's like to live in that world. Definitely never a dull experience. This is a must see regardless of your lifestyle.

Wonderful and fun filled
We have watched this over and over again and it is still a wonderful movie.

WOW!
This is one of the all-time best movies. The chemistry between Karyn Dwyer (Maggie) and Christina Cox (Kim) is amazing. (I was shocked when the director seemed to say in her commentary that both are staight.) Maggie's interaction with her mother reminded me so much of how hard it was for me to come out to my mother. The soundtrack is wonderful.

Probably just as good as chocolate...
Better Than Chocolate is a great movie.. with one or two big flaws. The story is great - it deals with the pain and frustration of coming out (or just figuring out your sexuality), falling in love, losing the one you love, and standing up for what you believe in juxtaposed nicely with commentary on the role of family in ones' life, what constitutes a family, and how we can all become happy with our lives. Quite a lot of themes for just one film. And Better than Chocolate handles each of them fairly well, if only briefly. The actresses portraying Kim, Lila, Judy and Frances are just wonderful. Each of them brings dimension to characters that could easliy have been played in a very one-sided way. They become human rather than just symbols or stock players to fill up Maggie's world. The friendship that develops between Lila and Judy is one of the best parts of the film. Maybe this is just me, but I find that Maggie is a totally unsympathetic character. She's whiny and immature and even snotty at times. I care the least about her of all the characters in the film.. which is unfortunate because this is really a film revolving around her and the way her relationships (and those of her friends and family) work. I just wish that the role had been cast differently or spun a bit differently.. it would have brought a lot more to the film. Ultimately, I enjoy the film. The relationships and issues dealt with in the film are difficult to deal with, but the film does a reasonably good job. ... Read more

Description

This exciting collection brings together some of the best lesbian shorts from around the world, included on both the VHS & DVD versions of this film: 4PM (Dir. Sam Backhurst, UK 14 min) Humorous tale of a one-night stand that goes horribly wrong. Winner of Best Girls Short - Melbourne Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Bare (Dir. Deborah Strutt, Australia, 9 min) A hot on-night stand ignites a whole neighborhood of passion and romance. Winner of Best International Short - Brussels International Film Festival. Interviews With My Next Girlfriend (Dir. Cassandra Nicolaou, Canada 13 min) A very particular single woman screens future prospects in a hilarious interview process. Winner of Best Comedy - PlanetOut.com/HBO Short Movie Awards. Watching You (Dir. Stephanie Abramovich, Israel 32 min) A lesbian's hobby: photographing a captivating woman neighbor causes trouble with her jealous girlfriend. Winner of Best Lesbian Short Film - Philadelphia Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Dear Emily (Dir. Katherine Brooks, USA 7 min) Sara recalls the drama of her senior year, and an intense schoolgirl crush.Winner of IFFCON Pitch Contest. The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide (Dir. Lee Friedlander, USA 28 min) Takes a look at the pitfalls and pratfalls that happen when your friends aren't just your friends - they're also your dating pool. Winner of Audience Award, Best Short Film - Boulder Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Traveling Companion (Dir. Paula Goldberg, USA 20 min) An upcoming trip to romantic Italy persuades travel writer Helen to tempt fate and place an ad for a traveling companion. Winner of Executive Director's Award - Newport Beach International Film Festival. Double Entente (Dir. Jacquie Lawrence, UK 11 min) Erotic tension builds when stressed-out Vanessa tries to meet her gorgeous lover Dulcie for an after-work cocktail. Will she settle for a stranger's touch? ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A collection to own
This was a good collection of lesbian shorts. Good enough that I have bought it. The good thing about short films is that unlike a two hour film there is no time to waste with filler or subplots that don't work. This collection has it all, buy it.

Great collection
What a range of fabulous (and I do not use the "F" work often) films. This cinematic coterie runs from the hilarious (Interviews and 10 Rules) to heartbreaking (Emily) to neo-Hitchcockian (Watching). As such, the range of lesbian experience is all here, world, taut and intense. The production qualities are strong, with lovely, talented actresses showing their depth. Hurrah!

8 wonderful films
I, as a straight guy, just had to write a review. I found the short films touching and amazingly well-done. Definately for anyone who has a human heart. The themes ran the gamut from love-lost and new love found, these are universal human stories!

a must have
These are the best lesbian short films I have seen. "Interview with my Next Girlfriend" is hilarious and I would get this DVD just for that one. The namesake of the collection, "Watching You", is in a different language, so you have to read subtitles which is only a small distraction. The short titled "10 rules" or something like that is very funny, though I think they could have come up with some more creative "rules" (in the spirit of the "ironic but true" thing they were going for).

Its is OK
It is OK not too bad, but I do not want to pay for OK...this is a rental...nice cast over acting and writing is stilted...nice effort....hopefully their next project will be better...there was potential there ... Read more

Reviews (23)

She's Not Your Everyday Girl Friday...
Voted one of the ten best Canadian films of all time, "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" is an offbeat and gentle comedy that goes for the heart more than the funnybone.

Patricia Rozema's stunning 1987 directoral debut is clever and brings a level of visionary design to the work that so many "pro" directors have long abandoned in their quest not to look too "artsy" for Hollywood.

"Organizationally impaired" temp secretary Polly Vandersma gives a video diary confessional about her interactions with her newest employer, a woman Polly quickly comes to worship. Polly's video frames the flashback narrative that includes Polly's daydreams. Polly's daydreams lend an air of fantasy to her somewhat bittersweet story, and elements of fantasy, such as the illuminated paintings (so beautiful they appear only as a canvas made of light), creep into the "real" segments.

This is a film that will stay with you a long time. It's quirky, loveable, has an artistic flair, and the characters come alive with a surprising effectiveness and realism. Polly's observations ("Isn't life the strangest thing you've ever seen?"), further provide us with a look into her particular (and peculiar), point of view.

Released in full frame on VHS about 10-15 years ago, the film has been long out of print. "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" was also a long time in coming to DVD, so enjoy it in all of its widescreen splendor. Although rated "R" in 1987 for "strong language," the language is actually tame by today's standards.

This is still one of the best foreign films out there, but not so foreign as to prevent all understanding. One viewing will have you hooked.

At last!
I have waited years for this to come out on DVD. One of my favourite films of all time (if not my favourite), I've only had a very poor copy I taped from the television years ago. When it was first shown at the Cannes film festival, the critics gave it a standing ovation (totally unheard of). A beautiful story, wonderfully acted and filmed. A truly magical experience, so why did we have to wait for so long? - second hand tapes have been changing hands for quite large sums, so its obvious there was a demand for it.
Slightly mysterious, but very grounded, the story is touching in many ways. The basics are spelt out in the other reviews below, so I won't repeat them. But I will repeat my praises for it- this is a MUST HAVE independant Canadian film, rarely seen at the Cinema anywhere, and surely one of the best films missed by most people.

BUY IT NOW.

Timeless
I first saw this movie on VHS 'way back in the 80's when it was on VHS. Finally out on DVD!

I've watched so many thousands of movies. Some are hated, some are loved, some just stab right through you. This is one of those.

After watching it the first time I had to have it, bought it from the rental store.

Can someone be defined as a 'loser' if they don't know or acknowledge it? The character of Polly Vandersma defines this. In today's PC environment she is might be defined as completely lacking the self-awareness we grasped in the 70's. Polly doesn't fit in, in the way we all want to. She doesn't fit in the working world at all, working as a clerical temp yet lacking the essential skills. Yet, here she is working for a small gallery selling abstract art. "A cute awareness" indeed!

The woman who owns the gallery appears to possess the qualities that Polly would want to admire and emulate. She is beautiful, graceful, educated and oh, so articulate. Trouble is, Polly discovers a past lesbian relationship when a young artist appears. The larcenous collaboration between these two becomes pivotal when Polly, in her childlike honey, confronts this.

Polly's hobby is photography, a form of self-expression for her, and again, she lacks the sophistication to realize the artistic value of her work. It has never appeared to her that her photos might be worth showing to others. This work appears as a revelation to her employer and her employer's lover in the end.

After seeing this movie dozens of times, the kind condescending attitude of her employer has changed my attitude toward her. I've come to find her a quite sad character. She knows enough to appreciate art, yet also is aware that she hasn't the talent to create what she appreciates. There is such a shock when she sees the body of Polly's work, when Polly doesn't grasp their signficance!

The character of Polly appeals to all of us in her awkwardness, in her lack of 'sophistication' by society's standards. She has an inherent honesty and goodness that are childlike, a frank admiration for her employer that is tragically destroyed. I think we all enjoy seeing the pomposity of others exposed, the 'emperor having no clothes'.

I wore out three VHS copies of this, loaning it out to people. I don't watch this movie too often, though I know every scene. One has to be in the right mood for it. It is perfect on a rainy day, for someone in a dreary mood. To describe it as unique seems inadequate. There truly is nothing else like it--it's an event. I've enjoyed watching people watching this movie, seeing their reactions. The character of Polly has so many universal traits; some people will laugh awkwardly, some will nod in recognition.

I am so very delighted that this movie has finally made it DVD where it will receive the permanence it deserves. There is a running commentary in the special features by Rozema that I wish I'd seen years before. Though this film is set in the late 80's it is contemporary enough that it doesn't seem dated. The performances are amazing, the casting flawless. This was Rozema's first film, and I still feel is her best. A keeper.

At Last!!!
I've been waiting years for this beautiful, charming, but sadly out-of-print film to be released on DVD. A small, intimate, delicate story, both quirky & poignant, it transports the viewer to the inner landscape of someone the rest of the world would quickly dismiss, if it notices her at all in the first place. And it reminds us of the riches that exist within the most ordinary looking, seemingly uninteresting people we pass by each day. Highly recommended!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I've waited for years for this to come out on DVD, and it's finally happening. One of my all time faves!! Absolutely love it! Let's hope they're going to make a good transfer.

This is one of the most under-rated film that I've seen! See it, you won't be disappointed! ... Read more