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Reviews
Entre nos (2009)
"Between us"
Based on a true story, the film Enrtre nos tells a heart filled, yet painful story about a Columbia woman new to the United States, that was left stranded for survival by her husband with two young children Gabi and Andrea. Mariana is left without job and only a little bit of "dinero" or money left to spare. As the traditional Columbian music plays throughout the film, it shows the struggle the family goes through in order to survive under such harsh conditions as they face homelessness. The ragged and warn out costumes worn by the characters enhance the feeling of sympathy that one gets when watching the film.
The movie opens with a traditional scene of food and music. This scene is key because it shows the families love for each other by using the food to symbolize the feeling and sets the mood of happiness they all share with one another. Ironically, this scene seems to be the last time the family would all be together and living happily as one. Soon after the father decides to peruse other interest and leaves his wife stranded with two young children. The particular scene where Mariana (mother) is told her husband would not be returning home, the viewer gets a sense of how she feels due to the powerful acting with emotion that she portrays within her face and body language. Mariana is physically and emotionally breaking down right in front of the audience's eyes at a rapid pace and this lets the viewers wonder if she can make it on her own. Soon after, the family is on the streets of downtown New York trying to make a living by selling food and collecting cans. The viewers feel the sympathy as Mariana tires communicating with Americans to ask if they would like to buy an Empanada, but can not do so due to the language barrier. The characters appearance by this point is filthy and malnourished. An example from the film is when the camera zooms in closely to Gabi's (son) hand and shows the dirt underneath his fingernail. This scene shows that the family's chance of survival may be at risk if they do not receive the proper care they need.
Through the color changes of the film from dark and dreary scenes to lighter and more clear pictures, the audience begins to see progression with the family as they struggle to get back to where they left off. This film shows a woman's strength and determination to fight for what she loves so that she can make a better life for her family. This story is very realistic and shows audiences of the U.S. that this is a true-life event that is occurring in our country in present day society. I must admit, after watching this heart breaking film, I now have more respect for immigrants who take the courage to enter America because as the movie shows, it's a hard battle to survive in a foreign environment.
Como agua para chocolate (1992)
Like Water for Chocolate Film Review
"Like Water for Chocolate" is an early 20th century Mexican film based around the idea that tradition, love, passion, and the preparation of food are combine to create magical emotions with whomever consumes it. Tita, the youngest of three daughters, is left to take care of her aging mother after her father passes away of an unexpected heart attack.
Tita is now faced with the chore of being the family cook after working in the kitchen with Nacha the housekeeper. This chore is the most symbolic and serves the most meaning because Tita can now express her emotions with her cooking. Tita soon finds love but Elena, Tita's mother, forbids her marriage and suggests that Pedro marries her eldest sibling Rosaura.
The viewers first encounter with this symbolic meaning is the scene where Tita is scheduled to make the weeding feast and begins to cries into the cake batter. Once the guests eat the cake, they too begin to cry. This symbolizes Tita's loss of love for Pedro and her emotions are presented in her cooking. Since she feels empty and sad, the guests feel the same emotions.
Dim and yellow-red lighting sets the mood of the story of love and desire. Another great aspect of the movie is the traditional Spanish music being played in the background. The magical realism uses food and ingredients to symbolize love and powerful emotions. If one does not pay attention closely they will be locked into the literal meaning rather than the metaphorical.
Overall, the acting and story line of "Like Water for Chocolate" is erotic and tasteful. I only recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good love story with passion and lust. Keep in mind that when watching one must see the movie in a metaphorical aspect to actually take away what the true meaning of the story.