Ana Valeria Becerril, Andrea Chaparro, Andres Baida
TLDR
Oh, they are cooking here (literally and figuratively).
What it's about
Tita de la Garza has a strange relationship with food, with all her emotions bleeding through the food she makes, recreating her happiness and love within anyone who tries her creations. However, when restricted from marrying her true love and neighbor Pedro Muzquiz, her food now shares her sadness.
The take
With the gorgeous period costumes, the romance, and the familial dynamics, you would think that Like Water for Chocolate’s latest screen adaptation would be just the same as the film, albeit with a Bridgerton-esque style. To a certain extent, this is true, as the essence of the novel still remains intact and the production is greatly upgraded, however, the added runtime allows this latest adaptation to expand on the novel’s commentary on race and class, and how this played out within the Mexican revolution that was mostly glossed over in the film. Como Agua Para Chocolate captures the novel’s much more rich and layered flavors, in much more fulfilling and scrumptious ways.
What stands out
Of course, in both adaptations, Tita is the central character, but I love that the series takes time to characterize everyone else, especially Gertrudis and Nacha.
A tale of espionage, romance, and friendship all tied in a neat bow, just in time for Christmas
8.1
One Hundred Years of Solitude
An ambitious mini-series that succeeds in adapting the classic magic realist novel
8.0
Ethos
A level of attention to aesthetics usually reserved for the most elaborate films, mixed with a complex and relevant story, make this series from Turkey unmatched in its quality
9.9
Caliphate
A psychological thriller that provides insight on what drove so many young people to ISIS.
8.9
Say Nothing
A powerful take on the Northern Ireland conflict that smartly shows all sides
8.5
Occupied
Norway's most expensive show ever is a timely thrill ride with a grim geopolitical premise.
8.7
Unorthodox
A well-acted fact-based thriller about untangling the grip of a close-knit community
8.5
Escape at Dannemora
Based on a true prison escape story, this slow-burn suspense thriller features once-in-a-lifetime performances by a star-studded cast
9.3
Wild Wild Country
Almost too outrageous to be true – this captivating true crime docuseries tells the unlikely story of an Indian cult in America
9.8
The Sticky
Margo Martindale stands out in this true-story-based Canadian maple syrup heist