Tortilla Soup (2001)

A Mexican-American master chef and father to three daughters has lost his taste for food but not for life.

Director:

Maria Ripoll

Writers:

Hui-Ling Wang (earlier screenplay), Ang Lee (earlier screenplay)

Stars:

Hector Elizondo, Jacqueline Obradors, Tamara Mello

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jacqueline Obradors	...	Carmen Naranjo
Tamara Mello	...	Maribel Naranjo
Judy Herrera	...	Eden
Nikolai Kinski	...	Andy
Elizabeth Peña	...	Leticia Naranjo
Constance Marie	...	Yolanda
Troy Ruptash	...	Hairdresser
Ken Marino	...	Jeff
Hector Elizondo	...	Martin Naranjo
Marisabel García	...	April
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Gomez
Louis Crugnali	...	Catering Assistant
Raquel Welch	...	Hortensia
Joel Joan	...	Antonio Urgell
Paul Rodriguez	...	Orlando Castillo

Storyline

Retired Mexican-American chef Martin Naranjo shares an L.A. home with his three gorgeous, but single, adult daughters. Though he long ago lost his ability to taste, Martin still lives to cook incredibly lavish dinners for his loved ones and to serve them in a family-style ritual at traditional sit-down meals. Although the women humor their father's old-fashioned ways, each of them is searching for fulfillment outside the family circle. College student Maribel is growing increasingly frustrated with the singles scene and wants a steady man; gorgeous career woman Carmen is fed up with her boyfriend and his wandering eye; meanwhile, eldest daughter Letitia, who has suppressed her own romantic longings, senses something missing in her life. Things take a turn for the romantic when Dad, a widower, meets a vivacious divorcee on the lookout for a mate and each of his daughters, in turn, finds someone. But they'll all discover that the recipe for happiness may call for some unexpected ...

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Plot Keywords:

mexican american | chef | college student | career woman | divorcee | 

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Taglines:

A comedy to arouse your appetite.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Sur La Table

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

31 August 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sabores da Vida

Filming Locations:

Marshall Fundamental Secondary School - 990 Allen Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$653,729, 26 August 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,447,014, 16 December 2001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,574,762

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Films,Starz! Encore Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The food that Martin Naranjo cooks was prepared by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger who run restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

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Goofs

At the end when Carmen is leaving the kitchen to serve her family, at first she has one plate without the lobster, then when she is leaving the kitchen, as she is turning the corner, she has the plate with a lobster. Then, coming out of the kitchen, the lobster has disappeared, then reappears again when she turns towards the tables.

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Quotes

Orlando Castillo: I love toppings. Sometimes I go to restaurants and I just order toppings.

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Connections

Remake of Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

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Soundtracks

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
Written by Joe Davis and Osvaldo Farrés
Performed by Doris Day

User Reviews

A Remake of Eat Drink Man & Woman, both are excellent

This is an exact almost word for word copy of Eat Drink Man Woman, a 1994 Twainese production. Both movies are great, but Tortilla soup looses points for lack of originality.

Both movies offer sharp portrayals of their various cuisines, and your preference may be Mexican vs.Chinese, however if you can tolerate the fast pace Chinese dialog (subtitles), see the original first. I also preferred the scenery of the original (Eat Drink Man Woman), but perhaps that is because Taiwan is the orient and the architecture is spectacular.

Finally, both movies are well acted although the lifestyle portrayed in the story line may be somewhat more believable in the Southern California setting of Tortilla Soup.