Roma

It’s time for some Alfonso Cuaron at long last. You know him and I’m presuming you love him if you’re reading this review. The man brought us Children of Men, Gravity and I’m counting Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because it’s a great movie. Don’t test me on this. His latest film, Roma, is a departure from his usual subject matter. Before we go any further I have some warnings. The film is in black and white and it is also in Spanish so you’ll be reading subtitles. Unless of course you actually do speak Spanish unlike me who retains only cuss words after being in Spanish classes for five years. Roma is set in Mexico City in the 1970’s and is the type of film that is more of an experience than a strict narrative. There isn’t a driving force that pushes the plot. It sort’ve meanders through the life of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a maid for a family with four children. You see her day to day life including even the most mundane tasks like scooping dog shit and cleaning the house. The four children are rambunctious and rely on Cleo to take care of their needs. It’s clear there is some level of caring on both sides of the equation but there’s an underlying uneasiness of knowing Cleo will never truly be part of the family. The second half of the film picks up and there’s a lot more action. Most of it is emotional and hauntingly real including a childbirth scene that left me completely shook. The film simply provides a window into the life of a maid and the family she works for in Mexico without adding too much commentary. Cuaron lets you experience the film slowly and take in each moment without expectations or agendas. The leading lady Aparicio is a school teacher turned actor. This is her first film but I couldn’t tell because she is a boss. She is a quiet presence but is the anchor of the film. This film will NOT be for everyone. If you love the Transformers movies for example you may not dig this one. But it truly is cinematic gold from Cuaron bolstered by a magnetic performance from Aparicio.

Film or Movie: Film
You’ll like this film if:
1. You’re a cinephile
2. You like foreign films
3. You’re okay with meandering, loose plot lines