The black and white photography is spellbinding and Cuaron’s craft is undeniable. This looks and feels like the Italian neo-realist films of the 1950’s. I wasn’t particularly moved by the film’s first half or deeply invested in the characters, but the second half is much more somber and emotional. Yalitza Aparicio is so, so good as Cleo. I wish Roma moved me more deeply, but I was still impressed.