Review of Roma (2018) by Charles D — 29 Dec 2018
Roma is as close to cinematic perfection as you will find. It's an epic film of acutely small moments. It's deeply personal and also impossibly beautiful. Late in 2018 it's my favourite film of this year.
Alfonso Cuaron returned to his homeland of Mexico to make a homage to the woman that basically raised him. Set in Mexico City in the early 1970s the story centres around Cleo, a maid who stoically looks after a family of six in the Roma neighbourhood of the city.
The camera follows her with grace and distance as the early part of the film documents every day life, cleaning and child caring. We see an absent father and a sometimes struggling mother, four willful children.
Through it all Cleo maintains dignity and calm, whilst also trying to find her joy in life. It's slow moving but each frame is so lovingly curated it's never remotely a chore to watch. This is aided by the decision to shoot in magnificent Black and White.
On its own this film is worth it for the cinematography alone. There are countless scenes that are designed to take your breath away. But there is so much more on offer. There is the backdrop of civilian unrest and protest, there are dates at cinemas, glamorous parties and magical happenings.
It's ordinary life imbued with the possibility of more. It's the normality exploding into the extraordinary. It's the bonds of family life and most of all the dignity of all life. The second half of the film delivers some uniquely devastating scenes that pack a huge emotional punch.
By the time it is over I was stunned into silence. Cuaron has most certainly created a film for the ages.
This review of Roma (2018) was written by Charles D on 29 Dec 2018.
Roma has generally received very positive reviews.
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