There are several strong aspects of Hispanic culture in this movie. The movie starts and ends with the song Guantanamera. I have to admit that this song has stuck in my head and I will probably download it to my ipod. It has such a great beat to it. Aldolfo displays his masochism throughout the movie. When he physically assaulted Gina, that really made me angry, not just what Aldolfo did, but that this seems to be an accepted way of living for Hispanics. Head of household or not, this is unacceptable! Aldolfo also displays his hot-headed temper during talks of his new business adventures. Hispanics seem to be this way. Mariano is a womanizer in the film, and to be honest, I even thought he was very handsome. The food and drink, especially the coffee, rum and banana's play another big part of Hispanic culture. Coffee was everywhere people went. Everyone is trying to make money, selling food from the roadside was popular, and people that bought the food, were going to sell it for more money. Aldolfo tries making money by planning a corpse transporting business.
Gina's aunt Yoyita returns home and you see the strength and love of family. Even though Yoyita was absent for 50 years , she and Gina are very comfortable with each other.
On a softer note, Hispanics can be very romantic ,like when Candido pledges his love to Yoyita. She feels the same about him. Too bad she had to collapse over dead. Mariano and Gina riding away on the bicycle at the end of the film made me happy. They both definitely had a flame burning. I mean Mariano dropped out of college, and Gina quit her job as a teacher because of their unthinkable feelings. Even though Mariano was a player, he was ready to welcome Gina into his life on a forever note. Loved the movie!
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Susan,
ReplyDeleteWhat? You don't like arrogant machismo types? I have to agree with you that even though it may be accepted in their culture I still believe that women need not be hit for such trivial things. If she wants to look hot and leave her hair down then let her do it. Women can express themselves too.
I noticed too that a lot of the food in the Hispanic culture came through in the film. Bananas were a hot commodity and must of had some bartering value to them beacause we see them being hidden among the coffins as they made their way across the island. I suppose you weren't aloud to transport them from place to place for whatever reason. Coffee or tea and at times rum seemed to be the staple drink everywhere they traveled. Man, as hot as it was how can you drink hot beverages in that heat?!
Gina and Yoyita did appear like mother and daughter to me too. Their bond was quite strong and we can see this in the film. I think Gina may have learned something from Yoyita in the "love" department. By films end I think Gina had had enough of Aldolfo's gruff way and lack of appreciation. Gina saw how Yoyita longed for Candido's love and his for hers. But it was too late and she dies. I think Gina decided that she wanted to be loved and she saw that Mariano was longing for her. Even though she knew Mariano was a player she took a chance on love. She did not want to waste her life on someone who did not appreciate her.
p.s. I think you meant machismo but wrote masochism which means sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or emotionally abused. Hey, to each thier own! lol