Woman on Top (2000)

Very best movie i ever watch

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Machismo. It's that thing that means a man is always King of the castle, even if he has no castle.In this land, here Brazil, Isabella (Penelope Cruz) was the man. She had to be in control, and her husband Toninho (Murilo Benicio) suffered the laughs of their friends and acquaintances.He could stand no more, had an affair, and she left.A move to San Francisco, a little witchcraft, and success appears as she forgets Tohinho completely. Oh, and there is Monica (Harold Perrineau), a real blast!Director Fina Torres gives us a funny and romantic film with great Latin music in the background.

I saw some of the reviews and I'm amazed! Good things: The only good things about this movie are the Brazilian music and the fact that it's really short (although it will seem like an eternity!) Plot/characters: The idea is not bad - Isabella is a great chef in her husband's restaurant in a little city of Brazil. He cheats on her, so Isabella decides to go to San Francisco and start her own cooking career. Usually, movies that involve food have great success, but this one is not centered on food... It's on the aroma and the effects of the ingredients. The story seems nice, but it's an illusion. It's developed poorly, the acting is awful (yes,Penelope Cruz included) and even the ending is disappointing. The most complex and kind of funny character is Monica, the heroine's transvestite best friend. (not joking)It's a real waste of time, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone!

i have watched this movie about 10 times!! its really Fantastic.i have done the same to my husband just like Isabella to her husband in the film!!hope you see the real passion and love in this movie. sandy.b. please don't judge a book by it's cover ! you need to see it about 5 times to like the film.trust me.the most important message it has ,is that she tries to walk away fro her true love but she cant.she even goes to the voodoo lady, and still then she regrets that.And of course her husband.....OMG!!!!he is so sexy,so nice .the music and the food are amazing!!i haven't tried to cook what she cooked in the movie ,but only because i,m scared ti wold be to spicy for me.

There is something inherently humorous about watching an extremely photogenic star like Penelope Cruz get caught up in funny little theatrical moments - like driving a taxi down Lombard Street, flipping her larger co-star on his back and hanging out with a tall, athletically built transvestite.While the scenes of her cooking class will melt hearts and endear her to American audiences, the comedic moments she embodies so well are the real class of this picture. I'm just wondering if some TV station hasn't tried this formula somewhere? I really enjoyed this picture right up to the point where the requisite dark blue TV suits get in the way of more fun and originality. The rest of the movie kind of tiptoed away a little too carefully.Anyway, hats off to Ms. Cruz in an endearing and auspicious first 'American' film role and to Harold Perriman Jr. who has extended the size range and taste of women's wear. I would like to have seen more of their shenanigans and 'girltalk'.I would definitely recommend this film for a multi-couple date night. Think of the delightfully varied and opinionated conversation over expensive cappuccinos afterward.