Como Agua Para Chocolate

Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) was originally a novel-turned-movie that depicts and foreshadows the Mexican Culture during this era. One of the major contributions of the film and the book is the introduction of Magical Realism to Mexican literature. Magical realism is the exaggeration of a certain aspect of an otherwise normal setting, making it seem magical.
The first scene with the element of Magical Realism in the film is in the event when Tita was ordered by Mama Elena to bake the wedding cake for her sister and her lover’s wedding. Engulfed by the pain and utter sadness, she cries over the batter and in effect, when the guests ate at the wedding, all of them cried and/or puked on the River and yearned for their lovers.
Unfortunately, Nacha dies in this event, of which I think is caused by a heart attack. Magical Realism here played a part in expressing just how devastated Tita was and it became a catalyst in further understanding and actually seeing her sorrow.
Another scene was in the course of Pedro giving her roses. She proceeds to make a dish out of them. When she took out the petals, she was pricked numerous times by the rose thorns and her blood, in turn, was mixed in the dish. The sensation felt by the ones who ate it was a sexual one. They felt the burning heat of Pedro and Tita’s love. This was what pushed her older sister Gertrudis to run away with a soldier and Mama Elena felt furious. This depicts the sensational attraction of both Pedro and Tita and even Gertrudis. It also presented the hatred of Mama Elena towards this attraction.
When Mama Elena finally dies, it is her ghost, this time, which haunts Tita. She comes back again and again, just to remind her that she is no different and is committing a sinuous crime against their ancestors; although, in the end, Tita drives her away. This could be interpreted as a mere psychological effect, but here, it is magical realism playing the part. It relays the feeling of Tita’s guilt and somewhat shame. She knows the relationship is traditionally wrong.
The next event in which Magical Realism was exhibited was when she was asked her secret in making the delectable dishes. She responds by saying that she makes it with love. In Esperanza’s wedding, she repeats this and is felt by the guests, yet again. It caused them to yearn and want for their lovers. This made the wedding guests set an early dismissal to consummate their love. But, it is not just the food procured with love that sets a Magical element. Notice how the Characters, in this case, never get old. Esperanza was Tita’s niece, she was getting married already, and yet, Tita has not aged a day. It may not be directly interpreted in the movie, but in my own analysis this represents the non-aging love of Pedro and Tita. Their love will last forever and it tells us that their love is a young love. It blossomed at a very young and ripe age. And the last and final scene is when Tita and Pedro finally consummate their over a decade love for one another. In line with what Dr. John Brown says about the spark that ignites a burning flame inside, Pedro dies in this part because of so much love that triggers the combustion. Tita then proceeds to swallow match sticks and join her beloved in the everlasting bond they share in ‘heaven’, where in we are not entirely sure is real. All these events that are seemingly unreal aims to show us the emotions that overflows within the characters of the story.