Chocolate-Coated Cinematherapy

Have you ever used movies therapeutically?  I know I have. Sometimes when I feel the need for a good cry, I’ll pick up a movie that I know will get the tears flowing.

Movies can definitely evoke profound emotional responses. And—given the links we explored previously between chocolate and passion—perhaps it’s no surprise that chocolate-themed movies are among the most powerful. There are two that come to mind immediately (for me, anyway). If you can think of any others—let us know!

I’m thinking of the Mexican film, Como Agua para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate), and of course, Chocolat.

In her book, Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live, author and life coach Martha Beck suggests you try to remember the last time you cried because you were happy, not sad. She goes on to say that you should think of births, weddings, inspirational stories, sports victories, movies (yes, she specifically mentions movies), books and television shows, all of which may tug at your heart strings. The scenes that bring tears to your eyes are usually telling you that you need the type of experience you’re observing.

So, back to the cinematherapy. A friend of mine (Hi Diane!) thinks the shower scene (and its aftermath) in Like Water for Chocolate is the most passionate movie scene ever. I agree that this movie earns that award (or at least it’s in my top 5—I also love the scene under the waterfall in The Last of the Mohicans). Like Water for Chocolate makes me sob big time, every time I watch it. But for me it’s different scene. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that my favorite involves candles—lots and lots of candles.

We both highly recommend the sub-titled version. The dubbed version just doesn’t cut it, in our opinion..

Anyway, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to watch one or both of these movies, paying close attention to the scenes—particularly the happy ones—that evoke the most powerful emotional responses. Bingo! According to Martha Beck, that just told you something about the area (or areas) you may want to focus on in your own life. And if it happens to be R-rated, well, Beck is a Harvard-trained Ph.D. so I guess you could just say it’s “what the doctor ordered…”

I couldn’t find a trailer for Like Water for Chocolate that was “suitable for all audiences,” but here’s the one for Chocolat (also a very powerful movie…)

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