Consuming Passions

I tell friends this is the funniest film about cannibalism I've ever seen! I've put in on wish lists, tried Netflix, everything, and I can't find it on DVD.

Fortuntely, I do have a pretty good VHS I can watch whenever I like.

It was my first exposure to Sammi Davis, who later turned up in Quentin Tarantino's "Four Rooms" in her voluptuous best.

The Monty Python influence is obvious. After all Michael Palin and Terry Jones put it together. Terry Gilliam did "Brazil" and here's Jonathan Price. He and Michael Palin starred in Brazil. Another very dark and humorous film.

Finally, there's the totally wonderful Vanessa Redgrave.

Enjoy it if you can find it.

Chumblies Chocolates, an old British firm, desperately needs to be brought up to date; it brings in a new executive and stumbles upon a secret formula that gets people hooked on their products.

I have to be honest: I'd always had vague memories of this film from my childhood. Someone very kindly emailed me to let me know the title; I watched it recently again, and again, and again. It's just so funny and so well made.

What is it about British humor from the 1980s? It's so sharp and witty, perhaps the beginnings of a darker brand of comedy?

The acting is wonderful; Freddie Jones is simply glorious as bumbling Mr. Chumley, Jonathan Pryce is a typical 1980s yuppie businessman and superb. For me, it has to be Vanessa Redgrave as Maltese Mrs. Garza that makes it; she is hilarious and such a giggle. You truly believe that Valletta harbour is a dangerous place.

A wickedly dark and sumptuous film! Ooh, I also love Prunella Scales in it; the lines she has are hilarious: 'Semen in the chocolate, that's not very nice, love!' So funny.

It's well worth seeing.

10/10.

From the very beginning when some poor worker falls into the churning funnel of a vat of chocolate, this delightful, brilliant comedy is ready to have you falling out of your chair. Once you accept to suspend disbelief, you can't help but enjoy the wonderful wacky characters that inhabit this film.

Vanessa Redgrave gives a brilliant and memorable performance as the passion filled widow who takes the meek protagonist in hand and knocks his socks off. She is absolutely hilarious.

I can't believe the poor average rating that this film has garnered so far, and I can only guess that the people who rated this film lack the capacity to understand black humor.

Any fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, or Tracy Ullman will probably "get" the humor of this quiet, under-appreciated masterpiece.

A great movie based on what should have been a very weak plot. Most American viewers will probably only recognise Jonathan Pryce (and potentially Vanessa Redgrave), but the rest of the cast do themselves proud.

There is the kind, but absolutely incompetent and differential junior management trainee that is a klutz that causes the problems to begin in the first place - Ian Littleton

The evil manager without any scruples or morals (and little commonsense) - Mr Farris

The kind, but weak and pitiful old owner of the company that has little choice but to follow along with Farris' plans - Mr. Chumley

The dingbat, older secretary, "People don't want chocolates with cows and pigs in them. People want chocolates with people in them". - Ethel

The clumsy, witless scientist/chemist who falls for Ian. She's a scatterbrain, but very buxom and sexy (played by Sammi Davis)- Felicity

Finally there's Mrs. Garza (Vanessa Redgrave). There's no way to properly describe her - aging seductress, blue collar lover, uninhibited, amusing. I'm not sure if others will love her character or have slight shudders as they remember the date they couldn't escape from. You've got to see her!

The movie flows along reasonably enough; however, there are a few places where it drags and the ending seems a bit weak and ill contrived.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone that needs a slightly sick comedy. It generally won't have you laughing (if it does you might need professional help), at least not out loud, but like a train wreck you just can't stop watching.

Unless this a remake, the original (I think in b/w and from the late 1960's), then this is a bonus on the DVD of Ripping yarns.

The original story is about someone accidentally falling into a vat of the chocolate mixture, but instead of the stuff being thrown away it is made into chocolate bars and sold much to the disgust of many. However the new taste proves a hit and the trend is continued with other people being killed off and added to the stuff.

I think it is from the late 1960's but it could be wrong, and it might be early 1970's, but it is quite dated in appearance, picture, sound and general acting - unless they're being ironic in style...