Rating: 
Summary: Where's the Rest of the Film?
Review: The movie on its own (like the book) is imaginative and very good and -- at least with the Spanish language soundtrack -- I would rate it between four and five stars. I have only given the DVD two stars, however, (and that is being generous), because approximately one-sixth of the film (18 of its original 123 minutes) has been inexplicably cut, leaving a sadly truncated 105-minute version. It is unclear why Buena Vista Home Entertainment chose to delete nearly a sixth of the film, but even if they believed that a shorter version would appeal to a wider audience (maybe, maybe not), it is unforgivable that they did not include the missing footage as "deleted scenes" so that those who wanted to see the entire film would be able to do so. This is simply too big a cut for buyers to accept (even at this rather attractive price). Rather than pay for a film that has been so badly butchered (the only worse case I know of is the Region 2 (European) version of "The Big Country," from which nearly an hour was cut, for reasons no one can explain), I will avoid buying this film on DVD until Buena Vista provides a "Collector's" or "Director's Cut" version that restores the film -- one way or another -- to its full original length.
Rating: 
Summary: Teacher Recommended!!!!
Review: Since I majored in Spanish in college, and eventually went on to become a high school Spanish teacher, I see just about every Spanish-language film that is released in my area of New Jersey. I walked out of the theater completely stunned at how amazing this film was. The story is beautiful, the acting amazing, and the total experience enthralling. Since I teach in a public high school, I would have to edit a few parts to show it to my students and I couldn't in good conscience do that. Every piece of the film is necessary to truly understand the world that is created. None of the nudity or sexual situations are gratuitous. When my students are in the final stages of their high school careers, I recommend the film to them. Many have watched it and come back to me to thank me for telling them about it. If you are at all interested in the Spanish language, or Mexican culture, this film is a definite MUST SEE!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A good novel revival of Like Water for Chocolate
Review: Alfonso Arau's production of Laura Esquivel's Like water for chocolate" can be considered as a very good representation of the novel, also because partly produced by the author herself. The main story is the passionate love between the narrator's great-aunt, Tita, and her boyfriend Pedro. They are denied marriage from the family tradition of the youngest daughter having to take care of her mother until she dies, and are forced to avoid each other with a burning unconsummated passion; only after 22 years, after a series of tragic events, they are reunited again. The setting and the costumes are particularly effective to the story, as they create an atmosphere of intense emotion and passion. Tita's role was very convincing, as the young actress really showed her powerful emotions and her actions perfectly suited the character. In general, the performance of each character was admirable. However, some of the scenes from the book turned out to be problematic, mainly because they looked unconvincing. For instance, Tita's birth was indeed pathetic to watch, but it has to be considered that scenes of magic realism in the book are practically very difficult to produce in a film. The way that they introduced the food into the film was also very successful, together with the voice of the narrator to present the facts. To conclude, this film was a great revival of the novel, and I do recommend watching it.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing body of work
Review: I will admit at the outset that romance style films rarely interest me.That being said, this film is over the top as far as "reality." Regardless of the lack of "reality," it is one of the best films on the market. Within the span of viewing, we are charmed, saddened, humored, and basically brought into a fantastical world of magic, culture and food. This is a great "date" movie and one that will charm you with repeated viewings. Highly recommended and well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully funny
Review: Don't let the subtitles distract you. Actually they become irrelevant as the movie progresses. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Captivating, funny, very simple it takes us into a world were reality and magic are so deeply interwined that magic is part of the real world.
Rating: 
Summary: Distasteful Concept of Love
Review: The love story, the core of this film, is just not compelling. She's weak; he's self-centered. She happens to use food to express her suppressed emotions. As with food, there are nurturing elements throughout the story: she is required to care for her mother, she nurses her sister's child, she is rehabilitated by the doctor, etc. Yet there is nothing nurturing about this love affair: it prevents her from breaking away from her controlling mother and from building meaningful relationships. In fact, she eventually uses food as a weapon against the sister whom she has betrayed. She has the opportunity to learn as much about genuine love as she knows about food and to nurture herself. Instead, she is literally consumed by lust. This had the potential to be a really good story about self love that is shared with others, like food often is.
Rating:
Summary: Passion And Mystery
Review: A wonderfully passionate film with the undertones of the mysterious magic that happens in the heart of the home - the hearth. Reaching out to everyone through comfort and food, bringing them together no matter if they are villainous or pure. Like Water for Chocolate is a wonderful moive on so many levels. I first saw this film as an educational film in Spanish class and fell in love with it.
Rating:
Summary: Read the subtitles
Review: I discovered this book/movie many years ago and it is a wonderful story. I purchased it a few years ago on DVD so I could listen (English dubbing) instead of reading the English subtitles. About half way through i turned on the subtitles also. I found that the subtitles were much more richly written than the skimpy dubbing. My advice: Excellent movie, but read the subtitles it will be much more rewarding!
Rating:
Summary: nuestras bellas tradiciones
Review: es una exelente pelicula en la cual muestra algunas de nuestras tradiciones y costumbres a veces un tanto crueles y que simpre va a haber alguien en la familia que las rompa por una razon u otra asi que en tambien una de mis favoritas.
Rating:
Summary: A Fun and Delightful Film.
Review: This film was played in my Spanish class the day UNFORTUNATELY I had missed. All my classmates raved about how good the film was. Out of curiousity I rented it, and was thoroughly impressed with the imaginative storyline and amorous plot. I recommend this film to everyone. (Well, not children...includes nudity and some sexual situations.)
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