Like Water for Chocolate

Let me start by saying that I didn't like this film! While watching this film, I found myself going through a variety of emotions. I felt outraged at the way Elena treated Tita. Mothers should never put their happiness above that of their children ever! Traditions are supposed to be things done out of love for one another. I saw no reason why Tita could not marry Pedro, stay on the ranch, and then take care of her mother in her old age. Seems like a perfect solution to me. Later on in the film, her mother always trying to catch Tita and Pedro together and telling her how inappropriate her behavior towards Pedro was. It was like the "pot calling the kettle" if you are familiar with this euphemism. I also felt that Tita was stupid for not marrying the doctor. Pedro and her never had a chance to develop a relationship beyond the secret clandestine meetings and sexual encounter. While I think passion is a good thing, it does not always make for a lasting life commitment. John was a friend, caring, devoted, and I think they also shared some passion together. He was the logical choice for a lifemate in my opinion. Rosaura was no better than her mother. She was willing to make her daughter carry on the family tradition even after knowing how Tita was affected by it. She did not love her sister at all or she never would have married Pedro. Pedro was pathetic. I can't believe he agreed and married Rosaura! His reasoning was so he could be closed to Tita. If he truely loved her he wouldn't have married her sister. He could have ran away with Tita or spent his life being her lover and never marry.
I thought the magic realism in this movie was downright hilarious! Not sure if it was supposed to be, but I thought so. The tears that Tita shed into the cake batter making everyone at the reception miss their lost love, start crying, and vomit. The roses that Pedro gave Tita used in the quail sauce was an aphrodisiac to whomever ate it. This causing Gertrudis to have an orgasmn, take a flaming shower, and have her pheromones attract the Federales to kidnap her. This part I believe was a blessing in disguise for Gertrudis. The placing of the onion on top of your head is supposed to make you stop crying? Total nonsense. The tears supposedly drying and turning to salt to be used for cooking. I don't think Tita shed that many tears or if that is even possible. I did love the folklore story that John told Tita about the matches. Again, the folklore story being used at the end of the movie in actuality a demonstration of magic realism. When I think about it almost all of the memorable scenes in this movie were based on magic realism. Perhaps this is why I thought the movie was pathetic. It kind of reminded me of a Mel Brooks sort of film. Well, I guess it is my blog and I am entitled to my own opinion here.