The House on Mango Street

Author(s): Connor Campbell (TX)
The House on Mango Street

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Written by Sandra Cisneros and Alfonso Cuaron
Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki
Score by Yann Tiersen

CAST
Ivana Baquero- Ezperanza Cordero
Tony Plana- Papa
Judy Reyes- Mama
Raquel Castro- Nenny
Selena Gomez- Rachel
Victoria Justice- Lucy

TAGLINE: “You live there?”

SYNOPSIS:

“We didn’t always live on Mango Street… I knew then I needed to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn’t it. The house on Mango Street isn’t it.”

Esperanza and her family never stayed in the same place long, often shifting between Mexico and Chicago. She was 15 and her little sister Nenny was 13 when they moved to Mango Street, quite possibly the worst neighborhood in Chicago. It was the first time they had ever lived in a house rather than an apartment, but it still wasn’t anything to be proud of. During the short time they spent in the house on Mango Street, Esperanza began to develop into a young woman. She dreamt of going to college and becoming a writer, but her father would discourage it because she learned that Mexican culture, like the Chinese, likes to keep their women weak. She understood this fully. She didn’t honestly think that a little Mexican girl in 1966 from Mango Street would ever go to college. Nobody on this street would.

The other residents of Mango Street were much like her family, people who drift in and out of America. There were her best friends, Rachel and Lucy. Sally, who would marry at the age of 16 to a man who might have been 3 times as old as her. Marin, who was quite simply a whore. Alicia, who saw invisible mice and Elinita who told fortunes. Mango street would change Esperanza. She was tortured by her development into a woman that she was in no way ready for. She was even sexually assaulted at a carnival. But mostly Mango Street showed her the life that she wanted to avoid at all costs. She didn’t want to become her grand-mother; tricked into marriage and left to stare out the window watching her life go by. She would leave Mango Street. She would go to college. She would show everyone that she could do whatever she wanted.

“I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much. I write it down and Mango says goodbye sometimes. She does not hold me with both arms. She sets me free. One day I will pack my bags of books and paper. One day I will say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me here forever. One day I will go away."

Awards Campaign:

The House on Mango Street, the newest film by Alfonso Cuaron delves into 1960’s Mexican-American culture. We witness the growth of young Esperanza who fights her pre-destined future. Through a series of short, seemingly independent stories we witness the maturing of Esperanza. Alfonso Cuaron captures the essence of ethnic Chicago brilliantly by using shades of red, orange and brown, a very brassy and latin score and letting us see what Esperanza sees as apposed to just seeing Esperanza. Sandra Cisneros who wrote the series of vignettes that the film is based on writes an equally poignant script. Those who have read the book might find a film adaptation impossible but Cisneros and Cuaron’s script proves otherwise.

Ivana Baquero is the highlight of the film as Esperanza, the aspiring writer who longs to be someone else. Baquero, who made a name for herself in 2006’s Pan’s Labyrinth, shines in the lead role. She shows us innocence and childishness in the beginning which morphs into maturity and wisdom almost effortlessly. Baquero gives the best performance of the year in the best film of the year. This brilliant coming of age film is a must-see for everyone. ****/****

FYC:
Best Picture
Best Director- Alfonso Cuaron
Best Actress- Ivana Baquero
Best Adapted Screenplay- Sandra Cisneros and Alfonso Cuaron