although this lovely work of art do use some of the cinematic vocabulary of surrealism and it be in fact nothing of the sort . it be a political and cultural allegory of mexico post columbian odyssey and a even a passing glance at mexico history will attest . in contrast to like water for chocolate and erendira expect the viewer to meet it at least half way so that understand it take a little work . ( a good starting point be to see the grandmother character a spain represent proud and aloof and sorrowful and and above all else and weigh down with history . ) the ultimate action of the heroine be obscure because the outcome of history ( i. e. the present ) be always obscure and since we be too close to it for honest evaluation . refusal to neatly tie up loose end be the only real choice available to the director and give the ambition of the film . erendira be gorgeous . a big screen experience would be ideal and if you can catch it at a local art house or university screening . but if not and vhs be good than never see it at all .