Christine Lyall

Hasan S., the imam, or prayer leader, of the Islamic Center of South Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida, is not altogether surprised that Americans have come to associate the religion of Islam with terrorism. "I told a reporter once, about four years ago, that every time I turn on the TV and I see a Muslim name or a Muslim face, I know that something wrong has happened," said the Palestinian native. "It's unfortunate, but this is the kind of coverage that the media have been dealing us. It's no wonder that in the minds of many people, terrorism and Islam have become very closely related, even though this religion is a peaceful religion that encourages righteousness and caring for fellow humans."

MIAMI, FLORIDA — As images of the toppled twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York City played across a bank of TV screens at a Best Buy outlet here, Travis T., 30, of Hollywood, Florida, just wished the nightmare would end. "You feel like you're just waiting to roll over and for the alarm clock to go off," he said. "You want to wake up and have this be over. And then you realize that you aren't waking up -- and it's real."

One could say, as some critics have, that "Chocolat" is sickeningly sweet and saccharine and promotes nothing short of celluloid-induced tooth decay. Or one could say, as this critic does, that it is a delectable treat for the heart and soul and a veritable feast for the senses. Bon appetit!