Better Than Chocolate (1999) Movie Review

『A Sweet Love Story and the Growth of Courage Beyond Prejudice』

🎥 Movie Overview

🎬 Title: Better Than Chocolate (1999)
🌍 Country: 🇨🇦 Canada
🎞️ Genre: Romantic Comedy / LGBTQ+
🗓️ Production & Release: Alberta Filmworks
⏳ Runtime: 94 minutes
📢 Director: Anne Wheeler
🖋️ Screenplay: Lori Lansens
📺 Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, selected VOD services

👩‍💼 Cast: Karyn Dwyer – Maggie
Christina Cox – Kim
Kristin Lehman – Judy

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

🌱 Fate-Filled Meeting and Rapid Relationship Development

Maggie is at a crossroads, having left law school to embark on a journey of self-discovery regarding her sexual identity. While leaving a queer club, she is nearly harassed by homophobes. Kim arrives in her flashy van to rescue Maggie, and the two are instantly drawn to each other. Upon discovering that Kim is a portrait artist and that her van has been towed, Kim moves into Maggie’s apartment within hours, beginning cohabitation almost immediately—a rapid start reminiscent of the "U-Haul" cliché of lesbian relationships.

👩‍👧 Maggie’s Mother Arrives and Tensions from Hidden Secrets

Maggie’s mother, Lila, and younger brother, Paul, unexpectedly move into Maggie’s apartment. Maggie lies, presenting Kim only as a “roommate”, and Kim must hide the truth about their relationship in front of Maggie’s family. Maggie desperately tries to conceal affectionate and sexual acts with Kim, creating an awkward yet comedic tension at home. Kim, on the other hand, wants to proudly express her identity without hiding.

🔥 Breakup, Coming Out, and Reconciliation

Frustrated by Maggie’s hesitation to come out and conceal their relationship, Kim fights with Maggie and ultimately leaves her. Shortly after, during a peak moment in protests against bookstore censorship, Maggie stages a public nude protest, writing provocative phrases such as "Obscene Lesbian" on her body. This radical action becomes the moment of coming out to her mother. Witnessing Maggie’s courage and her mother’s acceptance, Kim returns to Maggie. Maggie is now fully confident in expressing her love, and the couple reconciles.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Significance

🎨 A Classic of Lesbian Romantic Comedy

Released in 1999, the Canadian film 'Better Than Chocolate' transcends a simple romantic comedy by joyfully and positively capturing the energy and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community in the late 1990s. Uncommonly bright and hopeful for queer cinema of its time, it became a cult classic beloved by lesbian audiences.

🌈 Core Appeal: Humor and Boldness

The film’s greatest virtue is its emphasis on 'fun' and 'sexiness' over heavy or tragic narratives. Exaggerated, cartoonish humor and situations generate laughter. Scenes like Lila discovering adult toys or applause after public affection in a queer bar bathroom lean more toward humorous fantasy than realism. This ‘camp’ aesthetic offered liberation and delight to queer audiences.

The strong on-screen chemistry between the leads and daring intimate scenes (notably the body-painting sequence) solidify the film as a 1990s lesbian cinema icon. Maggie’s brave declaration of identity while enduring the label ‘Obscene Lesbian’ reflects the realities faced by the LGBTQ+ community at the time.

💖 Criticisms and Limits: The Line Between 'Fantasy' and 'Cliché'

The film’s conclusion resolves all conflicts—coming out, bookstore protests, and romance—in a “lesbian fantasy” manner. The rapid start of Maggie and Kim’s relationship and the predictable tension from hiding it occasionally verge on cliché. Additionally, emotional exchange is slightly lacking compared to the intensity of their sexual chemistry.

While not a flawless film, Better Than Chocolate holds an important place in lesbian film history. It delivered a positive message to late-90s lesbian audiences: 'Our love is beautiful, sexy, joyous, and can even be accepted by family,' providing comfort and hope.

The exhilarating romance of Maggie and Kim, Lila’s luminous growth, and the vibrant Vancouver queer community together make this film, as its title suggests, "sweeter than chocolate", offering a delightful and memorable experience as a classic lesbian romantic comedy.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥♥♥♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★