(1992 – Mexican) Director: Alfonso Aran Actors: Lumi Cavazos, Marco Leornardi, Regina Torne, Mario Ivan Martinez, Ada Carrasco
Striking and sensuous film (from a novel by Laura Esquivel, the director’s then-wife), set in the early part of the 20th century: a young woman’s life is shaped first by her stern and unyielding mother, and more important, by the overwhelming power of cooking. Sumptuous fable … not without humour … with a good cast and a top-notch performance from lead actress Cavazos. Piquant, sometimes mystical, and enjoyably unpredictable. (Our note: Has the wonderful stays-with-you quality of a strange dream.)(R)