Another movie not to see on an empty stomach, or an empty heart. Transubstantiation-food as a host for passion-is the source of the film's magic realism. From the first chop of the onion the viewer is initiated into this belief system, a beautiful realization of secret (imagined) ancient arts of women. Tita-as the youngest daughter, condemned to spend her days caring for her aging mother rather than marry-feeds her desire to her lover, her brother-in-law, with every mouthwatering dish. The charmed food has a different effect on each family member, depending on his or her nature-an unstated quality of food, and film.