Like Water for Chocolate

This exquisite Mexican comedy is showing at the Corrie Film Club on Sunday March 11th at 8.00 pm in Corrie Hall. Based on a first-time, instantly popular novel by Laura Esquivel, the film is set in the Mexico of a hundred years ago, when tradition dictated that the youngest daughter of the house must never marry but instead devote her life to caring for her mother. Tita, however, falls in love with handsome Pedro, and has the courage to say so. Outrage ensues, and so does retribution.

Elena, Tita’s mother, forces Pedro into marrying her eldest daughter instead, and as an additional punishment, sets Tita the task of providing the wedding feast. Pedro has explained to Tita that the only way to continue their secret love is to accept the façade of his marrying her sister, so rich undertones of secret sexuality run through this unfolding tale of passion, frustration and, above all, of glorious and delectable food.

There’s a strong element of magic realism in the book, and the filmed version is rich in symbolism and metaphors. The title itself is a Spanish idiom based on the fact that water has to reach scalding heat before it can melt chocolate. Tita, an inspired cook, uses her culinary art as the only permitted way to express her inner fire, and the whole film simmers – and sometimes boils over – with exquisite flavours and passions. For an aperitif, have a look at the trailer on YouTube – and have no fears, the showing in Corrie Hall will have English sub-titles.

All are welcome, and there is no charge, though contributions to the upkeep of the hall are always greatly appreciated.