Like Water for Chocolate is a subtitled film typical of fairy tale fantastical stories from Mexican directors. It’s the story of Tita, forbidden to marry her true love so that she can care for her overbearing mother, she pours all her unfulfilled emotion into her cooking. Her true love Pedro, in order to be near Tita, marries her older sister and drama ensues. It is a clever and cute story, but not sophisticated. The second act seems long as you wait for a final resolution to all the hardship, and that resolution may seem dissatisfying to some. Released sixteen years earlier, its story has similar characteristics but does not quite attain the magic of Chocolat. Lumi Cavozos is very endearing as Tita, and her sister Gertrudis provides for some brief entertaining comic relief.
IF you’re looking for a fun, fantastical rental, THEN go (rent it).
