Woman on Top (2000)

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Director:

Fina Torres

Writer (WGA):

Vera Blasi (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 2000 (Greece)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

It's gonna be one hot summer.

Plot:

Brazilian chef Isabella Oliveira moves to San Francisco when her husband, frustrated by her motion sickness, cheats on her.

Plot Keywords:

Brazil | TV Show | Infidelity | Flashback Sequence | Magic

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Penélope Cruz	...	Isabella Oliveira (as Penelope Cruz)
Murilo Benício	...	Toninho Oliveira
Harold Perrineau	...	Monica Jones (as Harold Perrineau Jr.)
Mark Feuerstein	...	Cliff Lloyd
John de Lancie	...	Alex Reeves (as John De Lancie)
Anne Ramsay	...	TV Director
Ana Gasteyer	...	Claudia Hunter
Analu De Castro	...	Little Isabella - Age 2
Thais De Sá Curvelo	...	Little Isabella - Age 5
Eliane Guttman	...	Isabella's Mother (as Eliana Guttman)
Eduardo Mattedi	...	Isabella's Father
Ana Paula Oliveira	...	Cook
Marilice Santos	...	Sexy Neighbor
Giba Conceição	...	Troubadour #1
Joaquim Pinto	...	Troubadour #2

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong sexuality and language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bahia, Brazil

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

All interiors for the San Francisco scenes were shot in soundstages in Brazil.

Goofs:

Continuity: Cliff's shirt and tie in Isabella's apartment.

Quotes:

Toninho: Isabella, I swear on my mother's grave, you are the only woman I ever loved.
Isabella: Your mother is still alive.
Toninho: That's not the point.

Movie Connections:

References "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970)

Soundtrack:

Chorando para Pixinguinha

Penelope Cruz displays her beauty and abundant talent

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.