Review of Roma (2018) by Ledaumas — 27 Jan 2019

At first, I felt like I was watching a home movie about non-interesting things happening in a family's life. But then you notice how everyone interacts with Cleo, and how in many ways Cleo is central to the family, yet she's ignored and always in the background taking care of them.

The audience realizes that Cleo takes care of the bigger day-to-day family life duties that both parents are neglecting. Cleo tries to have her own life, but it fails in the worst way. Cleo is afraid of losing her job, but receives comfort and understanding from the family without judgment instead.

It is the final incident when the entire family realizes what Cleo is to them. That's when Cleo can finally admit to them what she's been truly feeling and that's what causes the family to grow together.

I hope these independent movies continue to grow because I'm really tried of seeing studio films where it's just one physical fight after another using special effects. The true battles in life are what's within us, and movies can help teach us how to make lives better.

In this case, appreciating the contributions of an indigenous woman, and no matter her station in life, how she helps the family in so many ways besides housework. The family give her a job and out of poverty, and she in turn gives back much more than that in emotional support and love.