Entre Nos Response-A Struggling Immigrant Family

Entre Nos is a heartwarming film that truly brings awareness to the struggles that face immigrants in the United States. The story takes place in Queens. When a mother of two children is abandoned by her husband, she does her best to provide for her children. They are left with nothing, and the mother, Mariana, struggles to find work. She had only been in the United States for a short time, and had to resort to living on the streets. Marian finally finds a way to make money, and the movie slowly, but surely begins providing glimpses of hope and encouragement.

                One of the most touching moments in the film, is when Mariana’s young son sees a school and looks at it through a fence. You are immediately confronted with the fact that Gabriel yearns for an education, and a normal life, but is faced with the impossibility of his desire. As a child, Gabriel has to take over for his family, and do his best to take care of them. He does not seem to be bitter, even through everything he has to bear.

                The characters did a fabulous job of pulling the audience in, and expressing their true feelings in any given scene. In the movie, Mariana was not able to speak very good English, which was probably the biggest obstacle. I wanted so badly to be able to translate for her! The film felt so real, and the characters seemed so helpless. It was truly an eye-opening film. Mariana does a fabulous job at acting out the scenes with her children. For their sake, she does her best to keep positive and keep them busy.

                The music throughout the film is very sorrowful and heartbreaking, just like the story. It provides an emotional tone for the audience, and a sense of pity for the family. The scenery is extremely dirty and empty. The movie is very suspenseful, and brings on emotions of anxiety, anger, and sadness. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone, especially someone who might be better off than most. I think that in the midst of life, we forget how many are less fortunate.

A Mexican Love Story-"Like Water for Chocolate Film Response

                The film titled “Like Water for Chocolate” is an extraordinary movie centered around love, food, and traditions. In the beginning of the story, in Mexico, the main character named TIta is born. Tita’s father dies of heart attack after he discovers that his second child, Gertrudis, is not his own. From the start, Tita spent most of her time in the kitchen with the cook, Nacha. When Tita falls in love with a man named Pedro, her mother forbids her to marry him. According to her family tradition, Tita’s mother, Elena, informs Tita that she will never marry. Instead, Tita is told she will be forced to care for her mother until her death. Elena, cruelly offers her other daughter, Rosaura, to Pedro instead of Tita. Pedro agrees to marry Rosaura in order to be closer to Tita. 

                Throughout the movie, Tita and Pedro go through many struggles and obstacles that keep them apart. The emotions and feelings that come along with their conflict are enhanced with the use of food and magical realism. For instance, when Tita is forced to prepare the wedding cake for Pedro and Rosaura’s wedding, she is so broken-hearted that she cries into the cake batter. The next day, when the guests eat the dessert, they all begin crying for their lost loves. This results in the entire party getting sick. Probably one of the most intense scenes of the movie happened when Tita cooked a delicious quail dinner that included the roses she had received from Pedro. After her family ate the meal, Gertrudis found herself excited sexually. This was Tita’s way of showing Pedro her passion for him.

                Overall, the movie included elegance, strict/proper behavior, and beauty. “Like Water for Chocolate” emphasized high emotions and captures a romantic, considerate audience. Anyone who has struggled with love could surely relate to this film. The magical realism played a large role in the film. Just enough was added to create an interesting story, but it was not too overboard. This film plays with the readers emotions, and allows the audience to develop strong feelings either for or against the characters in the story.  Another key element of the film is its dramatic, romantic music. The movie provides all aspects of a romantic, passionate environment. “Like Water for Chocolate” is an incredible Mexican love story.