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.