Like Water For Chocolate is a film creatively filled with many symbols which convey the theme of the passionate and powerful story originally told in novel form by Laura Esquivel. The basis of the story surrounds food. The food in the movie, however, is not only food as we know it. It is a representation of hard work, the sense of feminism, duties, roles, comfort, and passion. The food made by the youngest daughter and main character, Tita, passes on her feelings to the people who eat it. Her tears flowed into a meal leaving the people who consumed it upset and ill. Her lust poured into another meal leaving the people who consumed it more lustfully passionate than ever. The director seems to use the only close up shots while the characters are eating in order to portray the effect of which this food has. Another main theme throughout the film is fire. This represents Tita's strong desire to be with Pedro. It also represents the life within people.
The characters in the film seem to be depicted certain ways considering where they live. For example, Dr. Brown seems to be a man lacking a backbone and a man willing to let people take advantage of him. He is North American. Pedro, a true Mexican man, is strong willed and willing to do what it takes to get what he wants. He plays a much a more masculine role.
Now that I am somewhat familiar with how Mexican cinema has been previously and how the stories have been depicted, I am well aware that Like Water for Chocolate put a whole new spin on it. The majority of the film takes place indoors with very dim lighting. The main characters are women. Most of the women have strong personalities whether they are comforting like Nacha, rebellious like Tita, authoritarian like Mama Elena, free-spirited like Gertrudis, or somewhat boring like Rosaura. Most of the more modern films in Mexico have been staged mostly outdoors, are very bright, and are centered around men and their masculinity.
While poorly dubbed in English and barely visually recognizable at times (because of the lack of lighting), the film featured charming actresses and talented directing.
The film, though simple to comprehend and easy to enjoy, has a lot under the surface. From the directing of the film to the many important symbols, there is much upon which to dwell and much to appreciate. This is a film that is dramatic, rebellious, humorous, and filled with the joys (and possibly dangers) of reckless love.
The characters in the film seem to be depicted certain ways considering where they live. For example, Dr. Brown seems to be a man lacking a backbone and a man willing to let people take advantage of him. He is North American. Pedro, a true Mexican man, is strong willed and willing to do what it takes to get what he wants. He plays a much a more masculine role.
Now that I am somewhat familiar with how Mexican cinema has been previously and how the stories have been depicted, I am well aware that Like Water for Chocolate put a whole new spin on it. The majority of the film takes place indoors with very dim lighting. The main characters are women. Most of the women have strong personalities whether they are comforting like Nacha, rebellious like Tita, authoritarian like Mama Elena, free-spirited like Gertrudis, or somewhat boring like Rosaura. Most of the more modern films in Mexico have been staged mostly outdoors, are very bright, and are centered around men and their masculinity.
While poorly dubbed in English and barely visually recognizable at times (because of the lack of lighting), the film featured charming actresses and talented directing.
The film, though simple to comprehend and easy to enjoy, has a lot under the surface. From the directing of the film to the many important symbols, there is much upon which to dwell and much to appreciate. This is a film that is dramatic, rebellious, humorous, and filled with the joys (and possibly dangers) of reckless love.