Roma Review: 6 Ups & 2 Downs
1. The Emotionally Devastating Third Act
And finally, if the first two-thirds of Roma are a steady, unassuming slow-burn, the final reel delivers the emotional sledgehammer you were likely waiting for.
There are two scenes in particular which are at least as nerve-shreddingly tense as any epic blockbuster set-piece put to the screen this year, benefiting enormously from both Cuarón's probing, observational long takes and Aparicio's aforementioned powerhouse performance.
And that's not to call Roma's final act a joyless misery-fest by any means. It's actually a deeply humanist and uplifting finale which, while conceding some of humanity's most tragic aspects, also foregrounds our capacity for compassion and even heroism.
Honestly, it's just as well the movie is out on Netflix, because this way you don't need to leave the cinema with wet, puffy eyes.
What did you think of Roma? Will it win Best Picture? Shout it out in the comments!