User reviews

In Brazil, Isabella (Penélope Cruz) suffered from motion sickness all her life. The sea goddess Yemanja compensated her with a passion for cooking. She falls for Toninho Oliveira and they get married. She dutifully worked in his restaurant despite the many admirers trying to lure her away. She finds staying in control by being on top would keep the motion sickness away. She catches Toninho with another woman and run off to San Francisco. She stays with her friend Monica Jones (Harold Perrineau) and TV producer Cliff Lloyd (Mark Feuerstein) falls head over heels for her. Her cooking literally knocks him off his feet. Her cooking show starts taking off and then Toninho shows up.

Cruz is incredibly lovely. She is luminescent. Neither guy measures up. Toninho is a womanizing Latino stereotype. Feuerstein is not a good leading man. Cliff has a bit of weasel and he's not worthy of her. The ending is horrible. Cruz simply glows and her character deserves better.

WOMAN ON TOP is one of those films that was made, publicized and viewed as pastiche and because of its honesty as a simple romantic comedy, it rates higher than many of the over the top and overproduced competitors. The film is colorful, filled with wonderful Bossa Nova music, and has enough eye candy to almost make you forget the main dishes! Isabella Oliveira (Penélope Cruz) lives in Bahia, Brazil totally in love with Toninho Oliveira (Murilo Benício) where the two have a restaurant featuring Isabella's passionate cooking and Toninho's macho front man role. Isabella has a problem: motion sickness - she cannot fly, ride in a car, or assume the bottom position during sex or she becomes violently ill (it seems that the sea goddess compensated her problem by making her an inimitable chef). All is well until Toninho has a brief affair that drives the crushed Isabella to move to San Francisco alone despite her love for Toninho. There she moves in with her old friend Monica from Bahia (Harold Perrineau as a superbly enacted crossed dressed drag queen) and begins her unsuccessful search for a job. In order to overcome her longing for Toninho and regain her culinary skills she makes a pact with the sea goddess, forsaking ever loving Toninho again. Eventually Isabella lands a TV show on Passionate Cooking when desperate producer Cliff (Mark Feuerstein) gets a whiff of her talent. She is an immediate success. Meanwhile Toninho, unable to endure life in Bahia without Isabella, flies to San Francisco and begins a series of Bossa Nova serenades to win her back. Cliff places Toninho on Isabella's show as background music and the ratings soar. But it is the ultimately the conflict resolution between Isabella and Toninho that brings the story to its expected end.

The story may be light and the script may be pedestrian, but the direction and camera work suffuse this film with Latin American magical realism and that keeps it lighthearted and fun. Cruz is terrific, Perrineau is the true star of the show displaying a sophisticated and sensitive acting skill that is very special, and Murilo Benício is not only a hunk and eye candy but also a fine singer and a warm actor who deserves a lot of attention. Story five, stars six. Have fun with this one! Grady Harp, March 06

This is a fun film and has several things going for it. Firstly it is sexy without being vulgar, proving that comedy without vulgarity is feasible. Secondly it is easy on the eye (Penelope) and the ears (Latin Rhythms). Thirdly, it is a fairy tale, both in content and format and hence totally unbelievable. And like all fairy tales, this one too has a moral...which is for the viewers to discover. The best thing about the movie it its old world charms, which is so endearing. Though eminently forgettable once you are out of the cinema hall, while inside, it is worth every minute of yours.

Recommended to take along someone you love.

So what this film teaches us is that... if you cheat on the woman you love, break her heart, she will take you back if you act like a stalker. Also, all nice guys are gay.

It's a shame. All the elements were there for a nice story. But instead of the leading lady trusting herself on her own, she digresses back to her old flame because he sang to her.

Dumb.

I really don't get the hate some movies get sometimes. The actors are insanely good looking, the script is compelling and the landscapes are dreamlike. It's a nice little postcard brought into the screen. And I genuinely don't see anything wrong with that. The movie can be cheesy, but unlike what I've just read, never cringeworthy. It reminds me a lot of Simply Irresistible, another one of my guilty pleasure movies. Only this one is giving me this taste for escape, every time I watch it. It's romantic, sexy, funny and cute. Which I think, is exactly what it was meant to be. And can be more down to earth, despite its frivolous quirks. It's one of those films that reminded us movies could take you on a journey. You just had to be on board with it...

Woman on Top, directed by Fernando Meirelles, is a simple yet charming romantic comedy that aims primarily to entertain. The film follows Isabel, a talented and independent chef, who returns to her native Brazil due to personal and professional issues. As she navigates new challenges, her life takes unexpected turns. Despite its lack of depth, Woman on Top effectively achieves its main goal of providing entertainment.

Story and Structure

The film's narrative is straightforward and predictable. With no particular complexity or profound themes, Woman on Top focuses on its comedic and romantic elements. The plot, revolving around the personal struggles and successes of a female chef, may seem familiar and somewhat repetitive to some viewers. However, its predictability contributes to a comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience, emphasizing light-hearted fun rather than intricate storytelling.

Performances and Execution

The performances in Woman on Top are competent but not particularly standout. Penélope Cruz, as Isabel, delivers a performance that is both engaging and charming, lending appeal to her character. However, the rest of the cast does not quite match the same level of impact. The lack of depth and emotional engagement in the performances might leave some viewers feeling disconnected from the characters and their journey. The film's strength does not lie in its acting prowess but rather in its ability to entertain.

Locations and Cultural Appeal

One of the film's strongest aspects is its depiction of beautiful locations and popular culture. Woman on Top successfully showcases the vibrant essence of Brazil through its scenic spots and cultural elements. This visual appeal and cultural representation add a delightful and energetic atmosphere to the film, making it particularly enjoyable for those interested in travel and diverse cultures. The lively setting and cultural references enhance the film's charm and entertainment value.

Conclusion

Overall, Woman on Top is a film that prioritizes entertainment and comedy over deep or complex themes. While its story and performances may seem simple and predictable, the film's beautiful locations and cultural charm provide a captivating experience. It is well-suited for viewers seeking a light-hearted romantic comedy that offers a pleasant escape with a touch of Brazilian flair.

Penelope Cruz is a self-taught chef with motion sickness. She falls in love with Murilo Benício. They open a restaurant in Bahia. It becomes a huge success. Then Benício cheats on her, she prays to the Candomblé sea-god to fall out of love. She does, and moves to San Francisco, where she becomes a TV sensation.

It's clearly intended as a comedy of cultural clash, and there are some nice bits, including Harold Perrineau as a transvestite, and the way the network brass tries to get rid of the ethnic flavor when considering the show for national exposure. Mostly it relies on Miss Cruz to carry the movie, and she does so very nicely. There's also lots of good Brazilian-style music for those of us who enjoy it. With Mark Feuerstein, John De Lancie, and Anne Ramsay.

This is a cute movie, I liked Penelope Cruz and the passionate Brazilian chef, she's the only reason to watch this movie. It's a little long, and a little boring. And the ending, it's like they wrote two endings, and decided to go with the unjustified and unpopular choice. There's hope for Penelope, but not for this movie.

Isabella (Penelope Cruz) meets her soul mate in her native Brazil, marries him, and becomes the renowned chef at his restaurant. She suffers from motion sickness so she insists on driving the car, leading in a dance partnership and more. Husband Toninho (the handsome Murilo Benicio) tires of being second in command and develops the roving eye syndrome. Stunned by her husband's actions, Isabella flees Brazil and travels to San Francisco. Once there, she catches the eye of a television producer who helps her become a small-screen celebrity with her own cooking show. Out of the blue, ex-husband Toninho arrives and wants his wife back. What will she do?

Penelope Cruz shines in the leading role; she's drop dead gorgeous and gives an irresistible performance. Benicio, also, initiates flutters in the hearts of any female viewers with his charming persona. The movie has many humorous plot elements (a cross-dresser, catty television employees) that keep the plot interesting. Those seeking an entertaining movie with charm and chuckles will be delighted to happen upon this lesser known movie.

In January this film was edited down another 20 minutes to make it a thrift 85 minutes of sweet romantic-comedy fantasy. Young, beautiful Isabella (Cruz) is crushed by her macho husband's (Benicio) cheating, so she flees her native Bahia, Brazil to the comfort of her best friend, the transvestite Monica (Perrineau). By praying and giving homage to the Brazilian goddess Yemanja - asking for her love for her husband to disappear, she magically is rid of her feelings for him. Isabella's culinary talents charm a local TV producer (Feuerstein) into giving her a cooking show of her own - which is a hit. He also falls in love with her. All seems well, until her husband follows her to San Francisco to win her back. His beautiful singing voice lands him a job on her show and causes her ratings to sky rocket. Should she go back with her husband, who loves her, but is too macho to let her "be on top," or the producer who seems to love her any way he can get her - or does he? Although this chick flick film drags in the third act, and has one plot resolution that rings false, it provides some real laughs and romantic moments. A nice first date film.

One of the hallmarks of independent cinema is that the filmmakers do not under-estimate their audiences, who tend to be better informed, more intelligent, and more demanding than those who view only Hollywood's outpourings. Thus, they are emancipated from the necessity to be blunt. They can create films of integrity, subtlety, and convey emotions and intellectual content that is never present in more mainstream films. However, this is not the case with Woman on Top. Despite being an independent film, distributed by Searchlight, who also handled the excellent Boys Don't Cry, it seems to want nothing more than to be a mainstream film. This is, perhaps, what is most offensive about it.

It is at this point that I ought to inform you that in the proceeding paragraphs, there are comments which may reveal elements of the plot of this film, such as it is.

In the hour or so that I managed to stomach of this unrelentingly vapid film, the plot barely managed to limp forward from its starting point. The characters were not developed beyond their appearances. The primary character, a female chef from Brazil who moves to San Francisco after the breakdown of her marriage, and all her actions, seem based solely on her aesthetic appeal. Indeed, this is also one of the few sources of the tired humour present in the film. These comedic moments are, without exception, crude and desperately unfunny. Listless slapstick moments rub shoulders with endless scenes of men drooling over the young Brazilian woman and staring in disbelief at her transvestite friend, evidently present to add some essential uniqueness to the film and because, as everyone is aware, anyone who lives in San Francisco is either an intellectual or a transvestite.

Cinema, without doubt, has huge potential as a medium for artistic expression, and there are independent films that are intelligent, well-made and engaging. However, Woman on Top, in striving desperately to be a mainstream success, sacrifices any shred of dignity or integrity one could hope to see in a film. Thus, and in sum, it is nothing more than a lazily made, dim-witted film, painfully unfunny and, if taken as an indication of the drift of independent movies (which, incidentally, I don't think, or at least hope, it is) rather worrying, and certainly sickening.

I saw "Woman on top" yesterday and I found it very nice. It's a very funny story set first in Bahia (Brazil) and then in San Francisco, when Isabella (Penelope Cruz) became a TV star in a TV program about food. Penelope Cruz is very good in the role but it would be better if the role of Isabella was given to a brazilian actress (like for example Giovanna Antonelli, who would be perfect for the role), because a Spanish actress, even if she is good, who plays a sensual brazilian cook do not sound such well. Murilo Benicio (Toninho), one of the best brazilian young actors, is very good, very funny and so handsome and sexy! The story is very colorful and the music is beautiful, with many brazilian bossa nova hits like "Aquarela do Brasil" and "Vocè". The idea of Isabella having a best friend who is a drag queen is very good and also the idea of the TV program about the passion in brazilian cooking is excellent (and it remembers the role of the sensual cook Dona Flora played by Sonia Braga in "Dona Flor and her two husbands" by Bruno Barreto). If you want to feel the passion, the color, the music of Brazil, you have to watch this movie, even if, I repeat again, a brazilian actress would be better for the main role. I give it a 7.

Penelope Cruz looked the prettiest I have ever seen her. She kinda bugs me usually. In this one, she was more likable. I don't think I have actually seen her in anything lighter before like this. I do not think this movie was for American audiences. It felt like a Spanish movie. With the cheesy mystical touches and music. It was a little weird, but I liked it. The guy who played the husband was handsome and not bad. He can sing. The supporting cast was good. The story was as all Romcom's tend to be, totally unbelievable. She get's on TV in a day, and it feels like she has been there only a week when they move the story along, they did not make an effort to show any kind of time passing so it feels disjointed time wise. That is also one of the good things, the story moves along fast. It is like reading a light romance novel. You know what is going to happen, there are no surprises but you still enjoy it. I think it is worth a viewing. I watched it on Netflix.

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One of the worst movies I've even seen. Its boring, meaningless, purposeless and has not any plot. Don't waste your time guys. The actors were not good at all, and all the story was repeating itself.

It was not even a good romance story.

There is something inherently humorous about watching an extremely photogenic star like Penelope Cruz get caught up in funny little theatrical moments - like driving a taxi down Lombard Street, flipping her larger co-star on his back and hanging out with a tall, athletically built transvestite.

While the scenes of her cooking class will melt hearts and endear her to American audiences, the comedic moments she embodies so well are the real class of this picture. I'm just wondering if some TV station hasn't tried this formula somewhere? I really enjoyed this picture right up to the point where the requisite dark blue TV suits get in the way of more fun and originality. The rest of the movie kind of tiptoed away a little too carefully.

Anyway, hats off to Ms. Cruz in an endearing and auspicious first 'American' film role and to Harold Perriman Jr. who has extended the size range and taste of women's wear. I would like to have seen more of their shenanigans and 'girltalk'.

I would definitely recommend this film for a multi-couple date night. Think of the delightfully varied and opinionated conversation over expensive cappuccinos afterward.

The recipe for this film is no good! This movie is just plain boring. Even the sex scenes are boring. It's a candidate for one of the worst movies of the year. I've only seen Penelope Cruz in a couple of movies ... and they were both disappointing. She's very attractive and I hope she can find better roles than this. As for this movie, it's not worth watching.

This, overall, is a cute movie. While Cruz is far and away the star of this movie, the stories strong point is that it is a "chick flick" with an attitude. The best performance comes from actor Harold Perrineau Jr. who plays a gay side kick to Cruz. Much like the movie, Cruz is unique and at many times sexy. Although this is a romantic comedy, there is drama to be found. Cruz is something between a fish and the hot chili like peppers that are used in her character's cooking. She is simple like a fish, yet she is exotic and original like the peppers she uses to make her simple dishes breath taking. This is not a sexually driven movie, although the dishes she makes in the kitchen are nothing but sex, sex, and more sex. Overall, a nice story that puts a smile on your face.

This movie is by far one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It is a joke and I can not believe an actress like Penelope Cruz who has been in a movie like Blow could ever say yes to such a movie. I should add that I do not know which one was made first. The whole movie is about how beautiful Cruz is. The only reason I am still writing is because there is a minimum amount of lines because there really is not anything else you could say about this movie. I can not believe that the average rating is as high as 5.3. So for everyone who had planned to watch this movie but has changed their mind by now I might as well say that in the end she goes back to the man who cheated on her. What kind of ending is that!!

Let me qualify my comments by identifying myself as a septuagenarian movie buff. Well, a movie buff until I was driven out of the theaters by noise passing for music, mumbled duologue and a concerted degrading of cinematic values.

I was not surprised to find that the generation of movie goers that has reduced film making to the dark age of cinema would rate this delight of magical realism as less than mediocre. It is in fact the first movie that I have seen, with the exception of "Chocolat", that successfully invites the viewer to enjoy art as reality. The director delivers his vision without disturbing the telling of an amusing story. The duologue is well constructed and UNDERSTANDABLE. The music is soft and supportive to the cinematic theme.

It is the joy of watching Penelope Cruz with her winsome, effortless beauty that makes WOMAN ON TOP very special. How can anyone who loves movies not believe this movie is extraordinary?

Low rent pseudo passion and magic, without a trace of real emotion. Visuals are below par, except for the gorgeous Ms. Cruz. Too bad she lent herself to such self-conscious arty shallowness. Otherwise I really liked it.