Tortilla Soup gives a good showcase for a number of stars, some famous, some not, and one star gets a top billing- Hector Elizondo, which is a nice touch. It tells of a father, who is also a chef, and also has three daughters living under his roof, all starting to fall in love (as he may as well). Gives a good number of enjoyable moments and sweet natured performances to pass the time nicely, althought it often also skims a little too much on the comedy/drama line. Racquel Welch also has a small part as a grandmother (though a hot one).

Based on a Ang Lee film from years back. Speaking of Lee, I'd just like to amend what I wrote in my review of Crouching Tiger- he didn't direct Joy Luck Club after all. B

Obviously missing the master's touch, the "Tortilla Soup" knock-off of Lee's wonderful "Yin shi nan nu" is a typical tier-two Hollywood production. On the downside the film misses the Hispanic mark, didn't make me hungry like "What's Cooking", and smells like a tv soap...stiff, scripted, but slick. Mello is so cute I could puke, Welch is silly, Obradors is just another pretty face talking like a smart person, and the only distaff who nailed her role (as usual) was Pena. On the upside, the shoot is good quality and the film does have it's moments. Not for cinema purists, "TS" will be most enjoyed by those into chick flicks.

In Los Angeles, widower and restaurateur Martin (Hector Elizondo) has a few problems. One is that since his wife's death, he has lost a great deal of his sense of taste and must rely on his fellow chef Gomez to examine the dishes he prepares. But, more importantly, his three daughters still live at home and MUST come to the Sunday meal he prepares for them as a family. Oldest sibling Leticia (Elizabeth Pena) is a chemistry teacher and a born again Christian; she dresses very conservatively and dreams of love. Middle daughter Carmen (Jacqueline Obrados) is a business gal who generally considers affairs of the heart less important than her working goals. Oddly, she is the sister who has inherited her dad's skill as a chef. Youngest daughter Maribel (Tamara Mello),about to enter college, is a free spirited lady who takes a shine to a Brazilian born neighbor, Andy. Sometimes activities crowd the ladies' weeks but they can't skip Sunday dinner. Now, an attractive widow, Hortensia (Raquel Welch) comes calling with an eye on making Martin her next husband. Also, mysteriously, Leticia begins to receive love letters on her school desk. Could they be from the new baseball coach (Paul Rodriguez)? Carmen and Maribel also have ups and downs in their love lives while Martin's partner suffers a health setback. What lies ahead for the family? This lovely remake of Taiwan's Eat Drink Man Woman has a great and very attractive cast. Welch is especially a hoot as the determined divorcée. Sets, costumes, script, direction and score are all quite nice. Most wonderful of all is the food preparation caught on screen, very complex and beautiful. While it might not be a "souper" evening of fun and drama, Tortilla Soup has much, much to offer fans of romance, cooking and family ties.