Roma (2018)
Story overview
Roma is a 2018 drama film that follows the life of a domestic worker for a middle-class family in Mexico City during the 1970s. The film portrays her personal struggles and the family's dynamics against a backdrop of social and political changes. It's a slow-paced, character-driven story that focuses on everyday moments and emotional relationships.
Parent Guide
Mature drama with complex themes suitable for older teens and adults.
Content breakdown
Contains some intense scenes and situations that may be emotionally challenging.
Some scenes depict difficult life situations and emotional distress.
May contain occasional strong language consistent with R rating.
Contains mature themes and some sexual content appropriate for R rating.
May include social drinking or smoking in context.
Deals with serious emotional themes and complex relationships.
Parent tips
This film has an R rating primarily for mature themes and some intense scenes. It deals with complex adult relationships, social class issues, and emotional challenges that may be difficult for younger viewers to understand. The pacing is deliberate and contemplative, which might not hold the attention of children or younger teens who prefer faster-paced narratives.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What did you notice about how the family members treated each other?
- What was your favorite part of the movie?
- How did the characters show they cared about each other?
- What challenges did the main character face in her job?
- How did different family members help each other?
- What did you learn about life in a different time and place?
- How does the film show differences between social classes?
- What responsibilities do the different characters have?
- How do the characters handle difficult situations?
- What commentary does the film make about social inequality?
- How does the historical context influence the characters' lives?
- What does the film suggest about family and community support systems?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Roma' explores the quiet dignity of domestic labor against the backdrop of social and political turmoil. The film follows Cleo, an indigenous live-in maid for a middle-class Mexico City family, whose personal tragedies—an unwanted pregnancy and the death of her newborn—parallel the family's disintegration and the 1971 Corpus Christi massacre. What drives Cleo is not ambition or romance, but survival and duty, while the family members grapple with their own failures and privileges. The movie subtly critiques class structures by showing how Cleo's marginalized existence is both essential and invisible, ultimately revealing that personal and political histories are inextricably linked through shared spaces of vulnerability.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Cuarón's visual language in 'Roma' is characterized by meticulous, sweeping black-and-white cinematography that emphasizes texture and composition over color. The camera often moves in slow, deliberate pans or remains static, creating a documentary-like intimacy that immerses viewers in the daily rhythms of the household. Wide shots capture the vastness of urban and rural landscapes, contrasting with tight close-ups on Cleo's face to highlight her internal struggles. Symbolism emerges through recurring elements like water—from the opening floor-mopping scene to the ocean rescue—representing both cleansing and danger. The absence of color strips away distractions, focusing attention on light, shadow, and the raw emotional weight of each frame.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
'Roma' is deeply autobiographical for Alfonso Cuarón, who based Cleo on his childhood nanny, Liboria Rodríguez. The film was shot on location in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood, with Cuarón serving as his own cinematographer, using large-format digital cameras to achieve the crisp black-and-white visuals. Yalitza Aparicio, who plays Cleo, had no prior acting experience and was discovered while training to be a teacher; her performance earned an Oscar nomination. The production meticulously recreated 1970s Mexico, from period-accurate props to street scenes, with many extras being residents of the area. Cuarón funded the film independently after studios rejected it, and it was later distributed by Netflix, sparking debates about streaming versus theatrical releases.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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