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hannaleann
Reviews
Entre nos (2009)
Traumatic Circumstances in the Every Day Life
Entre Nos is a graphic portrayal of a struggling family who has immigrated to America. Trauma is the common thread woven throughout this film; it seems as if nothing goes right for Mariana and her children. Paola Mendoza does an excellent job exposing the difficulties that her grandmother faced when she came to the United States. The audience sees that good can come from an awful and heartbreaking situation. Mariana's husband, after we see him using a prostitute, leaves her and her children and unborn baby for Miami. The audience immediately grieves with Mariana and the slow music emphasizes the state of depression. When the family is forced to roam the streets harsh lighting is used on the characters to show the condition that the family is in. The camera usually shows the picture straight on with no angle or other techniques used. This is done to emphasize the "realness" of the story. The audience also completely pities Mariana and is almost forced to think about what they would do in that situation. The Latin culture is woven throughout different parts of the movie; this is mainly accomplished by the Latin music in the background. Other Latin influences in the movie were the Catholic Church and the Latin-American women in the food truck. The scene where Mariana has an implied abortion is extremely difficult to watch as a viewer. Thankfully, the director did not go so far as to show everything, but as a warning, it will be particularly upsetting. When Gabi, the boy, tells his new classmates what he did over the summer, it causes a variety of emotions. In one way, the audience is sad because of the reality that this was his first summer, and it was a nightmare, but, on the other hand, the audience laughs because of the irony of it all. We see that the family does eventually make a better life for themselves after persevering and finding some work. This movie might appeal to those interested in studying immigration or those interested in social work because of the extensive amount of reality that is shown in the film. I am glad I was able to watch it for knowledge that I gained about immigrants in America, but I would never voluntarily watch this type of painful movie. Overall, this movie deals with a traumatic circumstance that many still struggle with today and encourages the viewers to understand the reality that happens around them every day.
Como agua para chocolate (1992)
Excellent Portrayal of Mexican Culture at the Time of the Revolution
Mexican culture is deeply rooted in the plot and atmosphere of Like Water for Chocolate. Tita is represented as a typical Mexican girl forced to stay single and take care of her mother until she dies; Mama Elena represents a harsh dictator entrenched in tradition. Viewers watch as Tita determines whether to relinquish to Mama Elena's control or to rebel and run away with her lover Pedro.
Mama Elena is portrayed by Regina Torné who has a sharply defined jawline and face which accentuates her power and strict nature. "You know that as my youngest daughter you must look after me until the day I die." This and other statements were made to Tita in reference to the harsh Mexican culture. Mama Elena's reappearance as a ghost emphasizes her domineering spirit and her ever-near presence. Tita, even after Mama Elena is dead, is still shown almost questioning whether or not she should go ahead with her decision because Mama would be displeased. This shows the impact that this tradition had on Mexican families and their culture. Her costume is almost Victorian which gives the audience a visual metaphor for how the Victorian women were powerful and overbearing. Regina Torne's acting skills were mediocre when compared to typical American films, but when compared to Mexican films from this decade, she did excellent.
Tita is an excellent cook and a good daughter in today's terms, but Mama Elena would disagree. Tita, in Mama Elena's mind, was a daughter who needed to understand the importance of family and tradition. Tita just wanted to marry Pedro and live happily ever after, but Mama Elena firmly declared, "Tell him if it's to ask for your hand, he needn't bother. I don't want to waste their time." Mama Elena's character laid the foundation for the other characters; they all revolved around Mama Elena's rules and guidelines. The entire plot does too, actually. Another way Mama Elena is given more emphasis is the way the camera uses the choker affect to accentuate power and the spotlight is directed on her much more than the other characters.
Mama Elena is a metaphor for the harsh dictatorship in Mexico at the time of the Mexican Revolution. She symbolizes everything that the government was trying to enforce on the Mexican people, but she could also simply represent an overbearing mother or mother-in-law for that matter. Those with a desire to learn more about Mexican culture at the time of the Mexican Revolution should certainly see this movie. I would recommend reading the novel first, and as you watch the movie try to identify some of the metaphors used throughout it.