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bethanyc311
Reviews
Entre nos (2009)
The victory between them.
Entre Nos, or "Between Us" is an inspiring story about a family of three struggling to survive in Queens, New York. After the children's irresponsible and cowardly father leaves the family and goes to Miami, life takes a drastic turn for the family who speaks almost no English, are illegal immigrants, and face obstacle after obstacle.
Paola Mendoza write, starred in, and directed the movie and did so wonderfully. I believe the fact that she starred in the film was extremely important considering the story is based on actual events of which she endured as a child. The heartfelt passion of her acting truly shines through.
For several months, all the family has to reply for comfort is each other. There are many sleepless nights outdoors. When they do find a place to stay, it must be in their extremely small budget. The family has each other and that's about it. Mariana (Paulo) is an extremely strong-willed and passionate mother. Her children might be dirty, a bit hungry, and sick of the situations through which they are going, but she always makes sure they are okay before she checks on herself even if it's just by making them laugh and forget about what's going on for a moment. The two children who starred in the film are brilliant. One would believe that they themselves actually were going through this and secretly being filmed.
Finally, Mariana's son, Gabi gets to attend school. He gets a real childhood after all that they've been through. This is symbolizing the re-birth of this family because not only is it giving him back his youth, it is a new beginning for him and showing that the family is starting their new beginning as well.
While some parts of the film were hard to watch, it is important that people see them. There are many issues addressed in the film that are relatable in some way by most people. These scenes are brought out with color and music making them suck the audience in. Since the film appeals mostly to one's emotions, it is a great and dramatic film that may leave the audience feeling a new way about many of the issues that are being addressed. It's more than meets the eye. This film gives us the insider's view.
Between us means to me that this is a film that is between the three family members who, with each other, made it. It was their little secret. It was their mission. It was ultimately their victory.
Como agua para chocolate (1992)
Like Water for Chocolate-Delicious!
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.