Woman on Top (2000)

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

Director:

Fina Torres

Writer:

Vera Blasi

Stars:

Penélope Cruz, Murilo Benício, Harold Perrineau

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Eliana Guttman	...	Isabella's Mother
Eduardo Mattedi	...	Isabella's Father
Ana Paula Oliveira	...	Cook
Marilice Santos	...	Sexy Neighbor
Giba Conceição	...	Troubadour #1
Joaquim Pinto	...	Troubadour #2

Storyline

Isabella is a great cook, making her husband's restaurant in Bahia, Brazil, a success. To control her motion sickness, she must do the driving and be on top during sex, which drives her macho husband, Toninho, to infidelities. Heart-broken, she leaves for San Francisco, moving in with her childhood friend, Monica, a cross-dresser. To mend her heart, she makes an offering to Yemanja, the goddess of the sea. The goddess responds: Isabella no longer loves and the fish in Bahia no longer bite. Stricken, Toninho heads north to get her back; he finds her hosting a popular TV show, Passion Food, courted by its producer. Can he learn humility? Can she find happiness without him?

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Plot Keywords:

motion sickness | food | cross dresser | restaurant | friend | 

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Taglines:

It's gonna be one hot summer.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

22 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las mujeres arriba

Filming Locations:

Bahia, Brazil

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,008,191 (USA) (22 September 2000)

Gross:

ESP 156,820,319 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

Near the end of the film, when trying to salvage the souffle, they bring out a box of Kraft-like "Cheese and Macarroni". Should be "Macaroni".

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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.

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Connections

References Wings (1990)

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Soundtracks

Aquarela do Brasil
Written by Ary Barroso
Performed by Katia Moraes (as Kátia Moraes) and Sambaguru
Produced by William Brendle

User Reviews

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.