Woman on Top

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.

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.

Penelope Cruz as "Isabella" is the only actor of note in this very entertaining film I rate "7" of 10. From birth in Brazil she has suffered from motion sickness. The only way she can avoid it during "movement" activities is to be in control. So she drives the bike while the boy sits on the back. She takes the stairs instead of the elevator. The name of the film comes from where she has to be during sex to avoid getting sick. When she goes to S.F. she pays the cab driver extra to let her drive.

Isabella also developed a keen cooking ability, more like "fabulous" and just the scent of her food drives men crazy. She and her husband have a very successful restaurant where she cooks and he "entertains". She leaves Brazil and moves in with a friend in S.F. after she finds her husband cheating on her, after all he "has to be on top" occasionally. She has a voodoo lady cast a spell so she won't love her husband anymore. She gets discovered and has an immediate hit TV cooking show. The young producer tries hard for her hand but he really is too much of a nerd.

Her husband doesn't give up. He recognizes his "mistake" and follows her to S.F. and keeps trying until he makes amends, but she still has to reverse the spell to be able to love her husband again.

The film is very well done and both funny and genuinely entertaining. I cannot understand how so any viewers rated it anything under 5 or 6, which many did. My rating of "7" is a very solid one, similar in overall enjoyment to films like "Return to Me" or "Forces of Nature" or "Hope Floats". I saw it on DVD and the surround sound was used very effectively. The Latin flavor music throughout was also very nice.

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.

What an excellent name for a movie, no? I thought so too. Quite frankly the movie lives up to it's sexy name. Woman on top is not a hard core porn on Spice channel- but an intelligent whacky comedy with style and dare I say oomph!

Penelope Cruz , is almost as indecipherable as that human vocabulary dicer Salma Hayek, but unlike Hayek, Cruz can act. Clever facial expressions and quick delivery make the words seem improved instead of carefully studied and directed. Penelope also happens to be quite steamy on the retina. I'm no clam digger but if I was- she is one hot tamale female!

Story goes...Isabella (Cruz) has a terrible problem with motion sickness. She'd be all right if she just didn't have to move. This means no sex . Her husband Toninho ( a very studly "peacock" Murilo Benício by the way) is not emulsifying too well with that idea. He also happens to be a colossal prawn dick. So she takes of from the husband, sad and disillusioned she heads from Brazil to San Francisco. Land of Gay Rights, beautiful hillsides and fancy food lovers among other things. Did I mention Isabella can cook. I mean that in every sense of the word. Picture Emeril LaGasse only he's as handsome as Ralph Fiennes (or insert feel free to the man /woman of your fantasies). A good looking cook is a super sexy thing folks. Ahh, the good old fashioned combo of, cooking and sex. Needless to say, Isabella shortly has a run away hit tv show! It is appropriately named Passion Food! Viewers tune in to catch her grind and saute, bruise and skewer various foods in her own special way. But mostly to blatantly stare at her sexy physique and not for the night's nouvelle torte rustica recipe.

Hmm, out of her husband's frying pan and into 30 million viewers frying pans. Poor Isabella, will she ever find happiness?

Actress Penelope Cruz is going to be here to stay with American audiences, I'm sure. She's not new in the business-in case your wondering. Penny's just not mainstream yet. All you guys that are drooling over her- there's more she-steak coming your way- later this year she'll star in Blow (about cocaine), alongside Johnny "Blow? Dope? Ohhhh, I thought it was another thriller by the Fargo guys on weather or something when I signed- swear! Shoot" Depp.

Woman on Top's stories been done before, but this is a foreign film gone American. Think of Like Water for Chocolate- without all those pesky subtitles to get in the way. What's sexier than food and sex? Absafriginlutely nothing! Sure some parts are just plain middle- of- Texas- without- a- spare- tire- stupid, but the over all feel is sweet and delightfully rich like a nice slice of Strawberry New York Cheesecake. Mangia.

Snack recommendation: Brazilian fare with plenty of hot sauce on the side!