The Mistress of Spices (2005)

Magic realism doesn't get much presence in cinema. Mostly Hallmark made-for-TV films would handle it. Which is why it's not surprising that The Mistress of Spices feels like one of them.

Tilo, a girl who can see into the future and is taught the ways of spice allows her skills to be used in a small Bazaar shop in San Francisco. But no matter how many people she can help, she cannot help herself with her gifts. Until someone rather handsome passes by and he has some connection to Red Chillis.

Whether there's any reading of this, I felt I was watching something like Spider-man again. Where there was a 'With great power comes great responsibilty' message being repeated, yet I couldn't absorb it. The film is light enough and I'm glad it is. Any heavier and I'd be regretting watching it.

Although it's been a while since I've seen a film set in San Francisco, so in that respect I'm giving it more credit than it deserves. I would have liked to seen more 'magic' in the 'magic realism' - but I suppose it's a genre that contradicts itself within those two words.

Or have I been watching Harry Potter too much?

2/5

If you like this you should try

Amelié (2001)