Like Water for Chocolate

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Like Water for Chocolate

Released Feb 27, 1992

2h 24m

Romance

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88%

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48 Reviews

84%

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25,000+ Ratings

The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Since tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita's powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

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Critics Consensus

Like Water for Chocolate plays to the senses with a richly rewarding romance that indulges in magical realism to intoxicating effect.

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Laura Esquivel's wonderful novel about the powers of passion has been adapted for the screen by her husband, director Alfonso Arau. The result is as rich and savory as Mexican hot chocolate.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

It tells a dark, sad, horrific but heartening story in sweet, gleaming images that tickle ribs, quicken senses and awaken hungers. There's just one word for it: Scrumptious.

Jun 11, 2020

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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Deliciously offbeat and bittersweet, it is, entirely appropriately, a treat.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

The result is a movie as magical as it is mouth-watering.

Oct 9, 2023

Full Review

Augusto Martínez Torres

El Pais (Spain)

The film's biggest setback is its script in which the density is felt next to its runtime. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

Fotogramas Staff

Fotogramas

An imaginative reconstruction of the traditional Mexican melodrama that is one of the year's best surprises. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

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Luis F

Stupid movie. Watch something else.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Dalia S

Una de las mejores adaptaciones de la literatura mexicana plasmadas en el cine. Como agua para Chocolate, representa el realismo mágico a través de la gastronomía mexicana, el simbolismo que relaciona las emociones de Tita con la comida es muy original.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Juan Sebastian Q

i don't understand why mama elena don't whan tita to get merry until she dies and while she dead why elena still does not let tita to get merry? this story makes no sense

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

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Armando G

A romantic tragedy worth watching. There are moments where you need to figure out why things happen for a reason.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

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Enrique C

Buena adaptación del libro de Laura Esquivel. Muy bien plasmada, tanto el amor, como las prohibiciones y normas de la familia, de una época muy conservadora, todo esto girando entorno a la gastronomía.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Leaburn O

I'm not sure it's all that entertaining. Lots of romantic drama and not sense going on but it is beautifully shot, with lots of food that teases your appetite. Bought on DVD some time ago and got round to watching after being recommended as one of two essential Mexican films to watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/19/23

Full Review

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Alfonso Arau

Director

Lumi Cavazos

Tita

Marco Leonardi

Pedro

Regina Torné

Mamá Elena

Mario Iván Martínez

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Synopsis

The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Since tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita's powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

Director: Alfonso Arau
Producer: Alfonso Arau
Screenwriter: Laura Esquivel
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Arau Films Internacional
Genre: Romance
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 27, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.0M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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