Like Water for Chocolate

This movie was based around what some may call a "ridiculous" family tradition.  Tita, being the youngest child, was expected to never marry and take care of her mother until her death.  It was just expected and everyone went along with it.  Even though her mother saw how much pain in caused Tita, she didn't seem to care in the slightest.  I think her mother just didn't care about Tita in any aspect, especially when it came to the family tradition.  The other characters in the film, like Tita's sister, Rosaura, seemed to just really be trying to follow tradition.  Rosaura knew that Tita was very unhappy, but upholding the family tradition was more important to her than her own sister's happiness.  Nacha went along with the tradition because she was not really in any position to oppose it.  However, it was obvious from her relationship with and support of Tita that she thought it was absurd.  As for Pedro, Tita's "soul-mate", it was stunning how much he went along with the tradition though emotionally torturing himself and Tita by doing so.  Tita's other sister, Gertrudis, was on the same page as Tita, but instead of speaking her opinion she just distanced herself from the situation.  This movie really shows how strong the Hispanic family traditions are and how seriously they are taken.
I have grown to not really care either way about American traditions.  I respect how others feel about them, but I tend to not follow those that many of my friends and family do.  I can't imagine how helpless Tita must have felt not being able to voice her opinion about not being allowed to wed.  It was obvious it was tearing her up inside, but because of the family bonds and dedication to tradition, she remained silent for so many years, and was absolutely miserable all the while.