AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Python Hyena Woman on Top (2000): Dir: Fina Torres / Cast: Penelope Cruz, Murilu Benicio, Mark Feuerstein, Harold Perrineau Jr.Anne Ramsay: Observant romance about control starring Penelope Cruz as a Brazilian woman who grew up in the kitchen. She has a severe case of motion sickness meaning she will not get in a car unless she drives. She gets married to a singer and they open a restaurant together but when she catches him in an affair she leaves for San Francisco where she hosts her own cooking show. While predictable its foolishness evolves around the sea god these people pray too for fish. Scenes such as this can seriously jeopardize the tone of the film but luckily the leads hold strong with their innovative pursuit. Director Fina Torres tackles interesting issues regarding relationships and food all done in superb visual style. She is also backed with three principal actors that prevent the material from sinking too far in silliness. Cruz delivers a fine performance with charm and appeal, and Murilu Benicio is equally superb as her remorseful husband. They are intriguing together and create a genuine sense of romance. Mark Feuerstein plays an executive who falls for her and creates a few humorous moments. Other roles are unfortunately flat and generally lack anything to render them watchable. Silly but worthwhile film about relationships and food. Score: 7 ½ / 10

leplatypus This was her first American movie and it bottles up all her future career: The story is about a Latin girl coming to the states where she will find fame but it's only with her roots that she will find happiness and love. I don't know if Penelope had this insight of how personal this movie could be but it adds surely a great flavor, all the more than the movie is also a bit mystic(by the way, the divinity looks like the Starbucks icon!). Personally, I don't feel ties with Latin cultures (spanish or Brazilian) but as I'm a great fan of Penelope, I'm open to where she goes. It's great to hear her cute English accent and she was sweet playing a torn wife without aggressiveness. All the cast and production draws in the modern fairytale. In conclusion, not a masterpiece but a good recipe!

ccthemovieman-1 This started off very well....really well...and slowly got stupid, very stupid. The film is a fantastic vehicle, however, for Penelope Cruz to show us her beauty. The two men chasing her are all right, neither one particularly annoying.The annoying part isn't the actors, it's the script. In this story, you can pray - and get a positive response - to the "sea goddess" - while other ridiculous curses and superstitions abound. Also, a lead character in here - portrayed as perfectly normal - is a transvestite. Despite these strange doings, the film has charm and beautiful, bold colors to it. If only the story wasn't so stupid.

jhvogelsang 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.