WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Like Water For Chocolate
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 10 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Marco Leonardi, Lumi Cavazos, Regina Torne, Ada Carrasco, Mario Ivan Martinez.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2.5
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Video
(Catalog Number): 2111AS
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 105
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1993
(LD Release Date): 08/01/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Alfonso Arau
(Screenplay/Written By): Laura Esquivel
(Story): NA
(Music): Leo Brower
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): NA
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Carlos Bolado & Francisco Chiu
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Alfonso Arau

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Like Water For Chocolate is an enchanting romantic drama based on the novel by Laura Esquivel. A flushing story of forbidden love and the complexities of family relations and tradition, the film chronicles the life of the charming Tita (Lumi Cavazos), who has fallen in love with Pedro (Marco Leonardi). She is forbidden to marry because her fate and obligation is to carry out the family tradition which requires Tita, to devote her life to the care of her cruel mother. Desperate to be near Tita, Pedro marries her eldest sister which causes a rift of frustration for the two lovers and the only way Tita can communicate her true love for Pedro is through her magical cooking.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture has been matted at 1.75:1. The chromatic balance is overall unnatural with a brownish or amber tint to simulate an old western character to the images and settings. Images are softly focused and shadow detail is poor. The picture quality is further marred by apparent grain and artifacts throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is rather strident with virtually no surrounds.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: