Rating: 
Summary: Recipe for a Hit
Review: There are so few movies that come even close to being better than the book. This is one of those movies. Marco Leonardi did a wonderful job and keeping the movie very true to the book. The way that when Tita cooks and everyone feels what she is feeling. This is one of the best movies that I have seen and one of the greatest books that I have ever read. I recommend this book and movie to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: the best foreign film i have seen in a while
Review: Ever since I read some of the book, mainly outlines of it I have wanted to see the movie. And i finally got the chance to and it was worth the wait. This is a delicious movie I loved it. And I say this is a must see movie.
Rating:
Summary: Maravillosa, Wonderfull
Review: Maybe it's because I'm Mexican but I really love thid movie, a had the opprtunity to watch it in english and it has nothing to do with the original sound, it's awfull, so try to get it in spanish with english subtitles. And the little amount of people who doesn't like the movie well it's your problem if you don't appreciate a good movie.
Rating:
Summary: I've never seen a movie more true to the book
Review: Do you know how, often, you read the book, and then the movie is a letdown, a disappointment? Well, not in this case. In my opinion, anyway, whoever did the casting and directing of this movie shared the author's vision to a remarkable degree. If you loved the book, you should feel encouraged to supplement that by watching the movie, too--it's very well done! For those of you who haven't read this Latin American author (Laura Esquivel)'s book, it's a very passionate, sensual movie--uniquely done (it doesn't even come close to reminding me of ANY other movie!). Unusual--quite a pleasant experience, watching it. A good friend of mine described this movie as a "feast"--and I think that's just about a perfect description. Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: DELIGHTFUL NOVEL....HORRIBLE FILM
Review: I defenetly agree with the person who commented before me... READ THE BOOK!!! If you see the video first you might be disappointed. I can assure you that you'll fall in love with this novel from Laura Esquivel, and you might get curious about watching the video (just like me and so many others) but it is a waste of film! Of course some parts from the book are ommited and also the acting is...uh...I can't even explain it's just... pathetic! Bad choice of casting. Pedro, for example, was supposed to be a little more manly and he looked gay in the video, and what's her face...Tita was supposed to be attractive, considering that it was a passionate novel...On the other hand Mama Elena's character was great and believable and so was Nacha's, I love that lady (may God have her in heaven)...and all the rest of the cast was definetly poor, acting wise...I don't know maybe it was just the director, Alfonso Arau. Despite the bad acting, they show good scenery as well as the clothing...very appropriet. But definetly the film needs more emotion in the acting. Unlike the novel which is already full of emotion and if you don't know how to cook you can use it as a reference book. Anyway, I can stay making comments about this novel for a long time but I got class at 9:00(like you care). By the way, those who think that subtitled might be better...you're wrong...it's still bad...and I'm hispanic.
Rating:
Summary: Get the Original
Review: The movie is true to the book. But the Spanish (doubled) as well as the English version sound fake and makes the movie seem incredibly stupid. I recommend the subtitled version (which is no longer made on vhs). Before you watch the movie read the book it is a wonderful experience. Even more for all latin (especialy mexican-american) woman.
Rating:
Summary: IF YOU CAN GET THE VIDEO, BUY IT!
Review: This is the most wonderful movie, a saga, of Mexican family traditions in the times of Pancho Villa. The matriarch is stern with her daughters. It's a love story. Although I've only seen the subtitled version several times, and have ordered the dubbed English version, obtaining a copy has been nearly impossible. There is a lot of humor mixed with emotions, heartache, and tragedy. Food plays a big part in this moving movie. I highly recommend it--especially for women--who don't mind subtitles. I can't speak for the dubbed in version, but I'll take it any way I can get it. You won't be disappointed in this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Probabley a wonderful movie, if not dubbed
Review: Before I watched this movie, I had read and fell in love with the book. It was magical and enthralling. I'm sure the movie would have been too. Unfortunately when I rented it, I picked up the english dubbed one. The voice actors sounds unnatural and like village idiots. This greatly detracts from the performance of the actors. My advice: READ THE BOOK. And if you want to watch the movie, GET THE ORIGINAL SUBTITLED VERSION and maybe your movie watching experience will be salvaged unlike mine.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Passion
Review: Splendid in every way! This film is an example of filmwork that spans the history of the silverscreen. Perseverance of love and internal passion is what this masterpiece is all about. The actors give their all to the utmost extent in the portrayal of the characters, making this movie shine with a plethora of great talent. Tita is a character not much different from that of Toto in "Cinema Paradiso", so I have an emotional connection with her as well. This film is truly a must to the foreign film collector!!
Rating: 
Summary: Do not attempt to watch this on an empty stomach
Review: This is a Mexican romance novel set in the early part of this century masquerading as a naturalistic melodrama with supernatural overtones, penned by director Alfonso Arau's wife, Laura Esquivel. We can see from the frequent narrative voice overs that her novel was beautifully, if idiotically, written. Although "Chocolate" strains credulity at times and offends my sensibilities, it provides moments of pleasant diversion. I am reminded of Dickens, somehow. I think it is because the mother is so bad, and so many years pass before she gets her comeuppance, which is the way Dickens used to do it. She is truly a mommy from hell. She even comes back to haunt her poor last-born daughter. Tita, the youngest daughter, played sympathetically by Lumi Cavazos, is a sort of Cinderella to her two older sisters and her evil mother. She has to work in the kitchen and is constantly abused by her mother while forbidden to marry since it is a family tradition that she must take care of her mother in her old age. Consequently, her true love, Pedro, a wooden pretty boy, is given to her sister instead of her. He goes along with this since it allows him to be close to Tita. One gets the sense that Pedro figures he's getting two for the price of one, although initially he acts out a celibate role, the better to whet the appetite, I suppose. The scene where the oldest daughter is carried off by a swashbuckling rebel, butt naked on his horse, reveals the romance novel heart of the movie. Further swells the fancy of the feminine heart when she returns years later as a revolutionary general (!) in tweed jacket wearing bandoliers of bullets, still beloved by her handsome abductor. As is the rule in women's POV fairy tales, the men in this movie are without personality: they just fill the roles as heroes, lovers and villains. What counts is the interaction between the women and the fulfillment of romantic notions. Nonetheless, there are a number of nice touches, especially the sumptuous feasts including such delectables as baked quail with rose petal sauce, chillis with walnuts, and corn fritters with syrup.
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