Review of Like Water for Chocolate (1992) by Virgilio L — 10 Sep 2010

This was my first experience in Mexican cinema. Several of the imagines in the movie are still clear in my mind from the first time I had seen it when it first came out in 1992. I have seen many other Latin cinema pieces and the structure reminds me of ?Life in the time of cholera? except more surrealistic.

This movie like many other Latin cinema the characters do not develop over time but are beset by the trials of love and life. Character in the story are more extreme representation of extreme facets of character.

The use of symbolism fills in for the lack of character development. Tita is the main character in the story she is the 2nd daughter of a very strict Blueblood mother. Juxtapose her mother with Nacha the family?s who is a meso-american maid who teaches here cooking and magical properties of cooking, especially the properties of chiles to influence other characters moods and wellbeing.

The movie is set in the time of the Mexican revolution. At that time it was expected of the youngest daughter was to take care of here parent until they die. Tita meet young Pedro and falls in love, however her mother forbids there marriage and Pedro in some misguided idea of right marries Tita?s homely older sister to be near Tita.

Tita concocts a desert for here sister that gave her perpetual uncontrolled flatulence and bad breath to get back at here sister for marrying here love. In the mean time her mother passes away and she marries the pale skin intellectual doctor John Brown who is polar opposite of Pedro?s dark skin and raw emotionality.

Tita?s younger sister, Gertudis, reject her mothers tradition. The Mexican rebels raid their house and kidnap the naked Gerteudis horseback while she is taking a shower in there outdoor shower facility.

Months later Gertrudis return with the same troop of men as their general.