Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate is a film with lots of magic realism in it. I saw lots of it in the food that was prepared and served in this movie. When Rosaura marries Pedro, Tita is helping make the wedding cake. Tita is so sad her tears fall in the cake. At the reception, the beautiful cake is served. Soon after, people are shown crying and then end up sick. Another food example showing the magic realism was the quail with rose petals. Pedro had given Tita roses for her first year as cook for him and the family. Tita's mother is quite upset and tells her to throw them out. Tita hears the voice of her friend Nacha telling her not to throw them out, but use them in the quail dish. Tita uses the roses and the movie explaines that this is how Tita gets inside Pedro and they use Tita's sister as a medium and a way for Tita and Pedro to be together. This shows quite a mix of the reality of wanting to be together and the magic of using the sister Gertrudis to find a way to enjoy each other. The third time I saw magic realism used in the food was the beef broth that was brought to Tita after her nephew had died. Tita was so sad and was not speaking. Many people thought she was crazy. Dr. Brown cared for her and had a friend Checa visit her. At this time she tells Tita the broth is magic and can cure her. Amazingly, after Tita eats some broth she talks and acts the same way she did before her nephew died. Food is so important in many cultures, and I found it quite interesting how it was used in this movie. I think even the title of the film gives us an indication that the food is an important aspect of this film. I understood it to be like water is used to make hot chocolate ( which is served in the film) love is necessary for your soul to achieve its destiny.