Directed by: Maria Ripoll
Starring: Hector Elizondo, Jaqueline Obradors, Tamara Mello, Elizabeth Pena, Paul Rodriguez
Tortilla Soup may have one of the most peculiar pedigrees of just about any film going: a largely Latino team—cast, writers and director—making a film a 2001 Hollywood based on Ang Lee’s 1994 Eat Drink Man Woman. The results may not be quite on a par with Lee’s film, but neither are they anything to sneer at. The film is a pleasant look at a first class chef (Hector Elizondo), who is adapting to the fact that he can no longer smell or taste (someone else has to judge his work for him) and the fact that his daughters are grown up and leaving home. In some cases, the process of the daughter moving on seems a little overdue. At the same time, he has to fend off the advances of a marriage-minded sexy widow (played with surprisingly comic timing by Raquel Welch).
That’s all there is to it, and nothing particularly surprising happens (the movie even continues to prove that Paul Rodriguez can’t really act), but it’s a work of no little charm. And sometimes charm is enough, but there’s something more here—the presence of the wonderful Hector Elizondo in a lead role. Seeing this terrific character actor actually star in a movie is enough by itself to make it worthwhile. It’s also a refreshing change to see a movie with Latin characters set in Los Angeles where the central issue isn’t poverty. Great filmmaking? No, but it’s warmly enjoyable and a pleasant way to spend an evening.
Tortilla Soup is part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World being presented at 8 p.m. Friday, July 20 at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. For more information call 273-3332.
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I’ll tell you a good way to spend an evening. By watching “Weird Science” instead of this movie, which was named after my favorite dish at the Cracker Barrel. |
 Jul 19, 2007 at |
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There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, Jason Bugg—cineaste and gourmet. |
Jul 19, 2007 |
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I see you are using the “word of the day” calender I got you for Secretary’s Day. |
Jul 19, 2007 at |
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Human laugh repellent. |
JJordan Jul 19, 2007 |
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We must be tolerant of Mr. Bugg’s level of humor. At least he did—pointlessly, I admit—recommend a film with an Oingo Boingo song, so he can’t be all bad. |
Jul 19, 2007 |
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I’m not all that bad. Much like Jesus, I’m full of love. Unlike Jesus, I have a hip and modern sense of style. |
Jul 19, 2007 at |
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I presume he not only has a hip, but a full complement of other bones as well. |
Jul 19, 2007 |
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You’re always thinking about the bone, aren’t you? |
Jul 19, 2007 at |
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My friend, that’s something you need never worry about. |
Jul 20, 2007 |
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I never said I was worried about it. |
Jul 20, 2007 at |
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I feel a vague sense of unease. |
Jul 20, 2007 |
