Tortilla Soup

Movie review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
Tortilla Soup Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

A harmless comedy that will make your mouth water.

PG-13 2001 103 minutes
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Parents say

age 17+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 18+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that two of the three daughters in this film sleep with men they are not married to; one even continues a sexual relationship with a man who used to be her boyfriend and is now just a friend with "fringe benefits." Otherwise, the film is fairly innocuous and tame.

Community Reviews

ForRealzThough
ForRealzThough Adult
November 1, 2021
age 16+

Just okay...

This film is kind of boring in many ways. There is definitely sexual content in the film and some of it is promiscuous. Also, the father marries a woman in the same age as his daughters towards the end. While legal, some may find this cringe worth and not great for a young teen audience. While none of the scenes find anyone naked, I still found this to be more of an R than a PG-13 in content. It is somewhere between the two ratings, which is why I have placed it as okay for 16 year olds.

This title has:

Too much sex
Becky G.
Becky G. Adult
November 15, 2020
age 18+

Absolutely NOT PG-13!

I was looking forward to watching this as a family, but was I ever wrong! Awkwardly tried to overlook a sexual phone conversation within the first couple of minutes, only to jump into a full sexual scene! All within the first few minutes! I don’t need my kids watching people having sex on a chair... Absolutely disgusting that anyone would think this content is appropriate for anyone other than adults! The rating on this needs to be changed to N-18 or R. Very disappointing. Please watch out for our children’s well being.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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.

Is It Any Good?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about food movies, such as Babette's Feast, Big Night, or Eat Drink Man Woman, the original version of this film. Can you think of other movies that feature food as a major element? What makes these movies fun? What does the food -- and its preparation -- symbolize in this movie?

Movie Details

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