Roma (2018) — Riley Cross Reviews

The Blockbuster Vintage Review

I was a clerk at Blockbuster when this hit the shelves in 2018. I recall watching customers dance around the horror and action sections, terrified to check out the single copy of *Roma* we had because it was subtitled and in black and white. I can't say I blame them for being picky, but honestly? They missed out. This is cinema at its absolute finest, and you should treat it like the premium rental it is. Alfonso Cuarón used heist-movie camera moves to tell a personal story about Cleo, a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City. The camera lingers in the background so respectfully it feels less like a movie and more like a ghost haunting a kitchen.

This is the definitive "Night In" film because it provides total atmospheric immersion. It’s heavy on the quiet moments, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to avoid drama. There’s a scene—during a rainy day—where the camera sits through a moment of pure silence that speaks volumes about the character's trauma. The long takes are breathtaking. You can really, truly smell the chlorine in the pool and feel the damp of the river when it takes place. I recommend making sure your house is clean beforehand, because this movie makes your own messy living room look like a mess. It’s not loud or frantic; it’s deep. Put on your sweatpants, pour that glass of wine, and just let Alfonso Cuarón tell you a story that will stick with you way longer than the headache from a bad night out.

Bottom line: A visually stunning, deeply personal masterwork that transforms an intimate domestic drama into a universal experience.