The Chocolate War

Entertainingly oddball, highly mannered teen coming-of-age film that plays like some dark, alternate-universe John Hughes movie. I'm not sure how much of it's weirdness was by accident or by design (i'd guess a bit of both). Wally Ward's performance is pretty great, but threatens to completely overshadow the rather underdeveloped and nondescript protagonist. Also everyone looks about ten years too old for high school (though that adds to the film's uniquely off-kilter ambience).

This was a great find from the late 1980s. Good ensemble cast, interesting and unique plot and perfect use of timely music.

This movie was released on dvd a few years ago...the soundtrack wtih Yaz and Kate Bush added something to the movie..I liked the movie, the characters were heart felt..Keith Gordon did a good directing job and Jenny Wright at the time was the indit IT girl...a different take on the high school peer pressure movies..very dark mood

"The Chocolate War is reminiscent of another kind of movie that one wishes could be jump-started again: Angry Young Man films." - Jeremiah Kipp

It loses a point for changing the novel's Downer Ending. Otherwise it nails the David Fincher meets Heathers tone I imagined while reading the book (as well as featuring nods to Hal Ashby's montages & casting). Still, it wonderfully illustrates how conformity, greed, and violence create hell on our hero and his choice. It's also technically amazing, especially in the photography, acting, and the synth music soundtrack. It'd be a great tool to teach young people about mob mentality. Recommended.