The food movie is not so fresh these days. "Big Night" and "Soul
Food" are both fine films, but now, with last year's "What's
Cooking?" and this year's "Tortilla Soup" and "Dinner Rush," it's
easy to feel stuffed.
"Tortilla Soup" suffers from this familiarity. It's a harmless, warm and often enjoyable film, but there's absolutely nothing in it that you haven't seen before. The characters, though likable, are there to fit a certain mold and create confrontation, feeling more like a writer's construct than a real person.
At the head of the family, there is widower father and master chef Martin (Hector Elizondo). Martin has three daughters. The oldest is shy, traditional Leticia (Elizabeth Pena), a schoolteacher. The middle child is Carmen (Jacqueline Obradors), a successful, beautiful executive. And last but not least, the youngest daughter, free spirit and high school student Maribel (Tamara Mello).
{INSERT_RELATED}As the movie begins, the viewer is introduced to Martin, cooking in the kitchen, and each of his daughters. Within minutes each individual is given a label so we know all about them. This leaves little room for surprises and character development. Whatever happens, they'll carry the label with them because the filmmaker's presented them that way.
Despite the fact that Leticia and Carmen are grown women with a good career, the entire family still lives together. Each night they try to get together for an elaborate meal prepared by Martin and get along for as long as possible.
But there are problems from the start. Carmen announces that she is moving out of the house and into a condo. Maribel meets a young man and declares that she may want to put off college for a year or two and "find herself." And Leticia, with help from Carmen, is beginning to discover her outer beauty and the joys of a thong.
As if his daughters didn't make his life stressful enough, Martin has to deal with the aggressive Hortensia (Raquel Welch), who never hides the fact that she is planning on the two of them getting married.
Inspired by the film "Eat Drink Man Woman," "Tortilla Soup" gets a lot of mileage out of its cast. Elizondo is a fine actor, and he brings dignity and strength to a cliched role (the tough but caring father who never shows his emotions). Pena, Obradors and Mello are all charming and bicker like real sisters.
As is always the case in this genre, the food looks delicious. Martin spends a lot of time in the kitchen and by the time the credits roll you'll be starving.
It's hard to dislike "Tortilla Soup." Despite the predictability and familiarity, this is a loveable family you don't mind spending time with. And around the holidays, it's all about family.
"Tortilla Soup" opens at Landmark's Oriental Theatre on Fri., Dec. 21. Click here for showtimes.
