The two things that stood out for me in this film are the telling of this story and how you had no idea what was going to happen next and of course the performance of Lumi Cavazos. Its one of those rare experiences that stay with you long after you have seen the film. Both strong and self assured. Whats really amazing is that its Cavazos first film role (That I know of, anyway) her natural charm is essential to this story. Not a film for all taste's but a very unique movie overflowing with romantic grandeur.

Alfonso Arau's adaptation of Laura Esquivel's first novel tells the story of a woman who transfers her emotions into her cooking. Young Tita (Lumi Cavazos) falls for Pedro (Marco Leonardi),but Tita's authoritarian mother (Regina Torné) wants her to take care of her for the rest of her life and never get married, as has always been the family tradition for the youngest daughter. But the cook helps Tita learn how to, in the course of cooking, add not only ingredients but also her own feelings. This affects every character in the movie.

More than anything, "Como agua para chocolate" ("Like Water for Chocolate" in English) is a consummate exercise in magical realism*, a common theme in Latin American literature. I dare to call this the PERFECT movie. Seriously, can you get better than a mixture of passion with some great meals? Anyway, it's one that you just gotta see. You're sure to love it. I sure did. Also starring Mario Iván Martínez, Ada Carrasco, Yareli Arizmendi, Claudette Maillé, Pilar Aranda and Arcelia Ramírez.

*Magical realism also plays a role in "100 Years of Solitude", as well as the movies "L.A. Story" and "Rough Magic".

Tita (Lumi Cavazos) was born in the kitchen in 1895 Rio Grande, Mexico. After the death of her father, her mother vows to force her youngest Tita to care for her entire life. Tita grows up in the kitchen with servant Nacha. She falls in love with Pedro Muzquiz but her mother refuses to permit her to marry. Her mother offers older sister Rosaura and Pedro accepts hoping to stay close to Tita. Tita's tears infuse the wedding cake with her sadness.

This has a great magically realism. It's a fable of food, family, and passion. The story is fun and fanciful. Lumi Cavazos is a sweet endearing lead. The only drawback is the limited chemistry in the epic romance. It's probably asking too much. They don't have much time together before they have to be Romeo and Juliet. Then they have to be apart. It's submerged passion and Pedro doesn't always come across well.