Speaking as a Mexican, I am the first to admit that Mexico has enormous problems, economically, politically, environmental and social. But I am sick and tired of the portrayal of Mexican people by American movies. Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate) is a nice change from the stereotyped view of the land "south of the border".
This movie doesn't deal with illegal immigrants running an underground Mafia in East L.A. Nor does it try to show a handsome, brave, white american F.B.I member running around a dessert landscape filled with illiterate farmers, trying to stop the drug trafficking across the border. There is no small village where people stop without fail at one o'clock and take a siesta on a cactus, all the time wearing their oversized "sombrero" . And people hoping to see a little mouse running around shouting "hypa, hypa, andale, andale", will woefully be disappointed. This movie deals with real people.
In Australia, Like Water for Chocolate has been showing in cinemas for about a year and a half, which is a rare privilege that is shared with a few precious movies. But this not only signalises a success for the Mexican cinema industry. It is movies like this that help people expand their views of the world, and break down the silly ethnic stereotypes that exist.
The movie centres around Tita, the youngest daughter of a wealthy family in pre-revolution Mexico. Being the youngest female, by tradition she is not allowed to get married, for she must take care of her mother until the day she dies. But Tita and Pedro fall in love. The bond between them is so powerful that Pedro decides to marry one of Tita's older sisters, so he can at least live in the same house as Tita. Meanwhile Tita is trying to come to terms with all that is going on. Since the only life she knows is in the kitchen, she expresses her emotions through the food that she cooks ( in this aspect it resembles the Japanese movie Eat Drink Man Woman, not to mention, countless French movies).
I guess you could call this movie the Mexican version of Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy of forbidden love. It also serves as a historical film, as it shows the social customs and taboos of a not-so-long ago Mexico. And although it is a very Mexican movie, anyone can relate to it. Above everything else, it is a movie that makes you feel good.
The old "love conquers all" theme is directed with a surprisingly fresh approach. The characters are not extraordinary figures doing the impossible to stay together, they are simply two people meant for each other. In fact, at times, the audience is left blushing because of the very personal feel the movie has. Coming out of the cinema, you feel as if you have eavesdropped on the life story of someone on the bus, or accidentally read your neighbour's diary.
It is nice to see modern producers trade gratuitous violence, foul language and pornography for excellent acting, outstanding directing and an honest approach to movie making. Through the magic of Tita's kitchen, we experience another world, which is so different, yet very close to our hearts.