Tortilla Soup (PG-13, 2001)

TORTILLA SOUP centers on a Mexican-American family in L.A. Martin Naranjo (Hector Elizondo) is a widower, the former chef-owner of a gourmet restaurant, and father to three willful daughters. Leticia (Elizabeth Pena), a prim and proper teacher with the hots for a new coach at school, Carmen (Jacqueline Obradors), a high-powered career woman on the verge of moving out, and Maribel (Tamara Mello), who has decided to put off college while she "finds herself." Meanwhile, a close family friend brings her pushy Mom, Hortensia (Raquel Welch) for a visit in which she instantly develops eyes for Martin. Each week, while the family vents its problems, Martin fills the Sunday dinner table with sumptuous delights.

As in Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman, the lovingly photographed shots of food in Tortilla Soup are its best feature. Watching Martin pound chiles with a mortar and pestle, peel avocados, and fry up squash blossoms for soup could have made for a magnificent film on its own.

Unfortunately, the directors chose to instead, load the film with melodramatic twists and predictable, unconvincing dialogue. However, this is a decent-enough film for rabid foodies, fanatical lovers of gentle family comedies, and families looking for something sweet and gentle to watch together.

Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Maria Ripoll
Cast: Constance Marie, Hector Elizondo, Raquel Welch
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: June 9, 2001
DVD release: January 20, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: Sexual content