Maybe I missed this part, but do we know what happened to Valentin's mother? I know this is revealed in one of the last scenes where Valentin's talks to the mysterious man in the cafe, but I just didn't get it. What happened to her? Sorry, I loved the movie but I didn't get that part.
shareValentin's mother suffer from this condition that she's affraid to go outside, I forgot the name of the condition. She is like that thanks for the abusive behavior of Valentin's dad. I'm a native spanish speaker and the extranger in the coffee place says exactly this. BTW, this is an autobiagraphy of writer director of the film, who also plays the part of his own father in the film. Only the ending is not real, watch the special features of the DVD.
shareI don't think the man said the mom is in a mental institution. To me it sounded like the father beat her pretty badly and left her somewhat disfigured mentally and physically. It is possible that she is in a mental institution but I got the feeling as though she is just locked up in an apartment somewhere.
Evan
Would the Owner of an Ounce of Dignity Please Contact the Mall Security?
"To me it sounded like the father beat her pretty badly and left her somewhat disfigured mentally and physically."
I just finished watching the movie (it was subtitled) and I also figured that must've been what it was. He said something along the line that "she's making herself more pretty." so I think she's too embarassed for him to see her.
I think that this is also the reason why Leticia stopped seeing his father. I don't think that it was because of anything Valentin told her that she later relayed to his father, or the fact that she "thought she was in love". I think he may have physically harmed/threatened her (thus her seeing the "other person" in his father).
I think he was physically abusive, but he didn't abuse Valentin for some reason?
I just finished watching the movie. I got the feeling Leticia stop seeing the father for several reasons.
1) The father wouldn't let Valentin see his mother.
2) The father was abusive towards Valentin. Remember he told the story of how his father "boxed his ear" when he said that his mother lived in a house they were passing.
3) The father was prejudice against Jews causing Valentin to be prejudice as well. I believe Leticia may have been Jewish.
Regarding Valentine's mother, I got the feeling the father abused her emotionally and physically causing the mother agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house and dealing with the outside world). I think the mother was finally healing and getting her life back together.
I really enjoyed the movie.
the father abused the mother, indicating that she was left physically and mentally harmed. i think its possible she then resorted to drugs, but they dont explain it exactly. her father (valentin's grandfather) is helping her start her life over again... great movie
shareIn regards to the abusive nature of the father, recall the grandmother's explanation of her son's troubled birth in the beginning. She indicates his brain was oxygen deprived resulting in some brain damage that caused behavioral problems which apparently included uncontrolled anger and rage as a child...and adult.
Quote from movie:
"Your dad almost suffocated. He was tiny and purple.
That's how he got that awful temperament.
All babies to whom that happens turn out like that.
Their brains didn't get enough air, so they're always in a bad mood."
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