There is even a surreal quality to her being totally in keeping with the film content. Regina Torne balances the sweetness of Cavazos with the bitterness of dried chilies in her portrayal of her mother. Claudette Maille is splendid as the passionate free spirit Gertrudis, the middle sister. Her au natural elopement is hilarious. The cinematography attempts to accentuate the aspects fantasy through the use of warm filters and a pale palette.
Dark scenes are dimly lit and are projection sensitive even in the theater.
The choice of a more intense palette of colors might have achieved a greater effect for the film, especially in the depiction of the foods. Like Water for Chocolate is a passionate hybrid that will make an excellent main course for an evening's entertainment. The DVD is working from a distinct disadvantage. The pervasive soft and pale photography does not transfer well to home video, creating demands on the system that are unreasonable. In order to obtain satisfactory levels of light output, it is necessary to compromise other aspects of the picture.