Movie Review for Tortilla Soup

Summary: Retired Mexican-American chef Martin Naranjo shares an L.A. home with his three gorgeous, but single, adult daughters. Though he long ago lost his ability to taste, Martin still lives to cook incredibly lavish dinners for his loved ones and to serve them in a family-style ritual at traditional sit-down meals. Although the women humor their father's old-fashioned ways, each of them is searching for fulfillment outside the family circle. College student Maribel is growing increasingly frustrated with the singles scene and wants a steady man; gorgeous career woman Carmen is fed up with her boyfriend and his wandering eye; meanwhile, eldest daughter Letitia, who has suppressed her own romantic longings, senses something missing in her life. Things take a turn for the romantic when Dad, a widower, meets a vivacious divorcee on the lookout for a mate and each of his daughters, in turn, finds someone. But they'll all discover that the recipe for happiness may call for some unexpected ingredients.

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Marjorie Baumgarten of Austin Chronicle (8/0)
            Like many a meal, the lives of these characters don't necessarily turn out as planned, but the su...

By Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times (8/0)
            Although six writers worked on the adaptation, for once too many cooks didn't spoil the broth.

By Harvey S. Karten of Compuserve (8/0)
            A gem of ensemble acting with a warm, subtle performance by Hector Elizondo as a master chef over...

By Steven D. Greydanus of Decent Films Guide (8/0)
            Isn’t the delicacy that Eat Drink Man Woman was… But on the level of comfort food this...

By Harry Haun of Film Journal International (8/0)
            A delicious little domestic romp.

By Rick Groen of Globe and Mail (8/0)
            The writers have swiped Lee's basic premise and main characters, while pretty much ignoring his s...

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Kirk Honeycutt of Hollywood Reporter (8/0)
            An OK dish.

By Kirk Honeycutt of Hollywood Reporter (8/0)
            ...an OK dish instead of a spicy feast.

By Eric Harrison of Houston Chronicle (8/0)
            A pleasant diversion.

By Steve Rhodes of Internet Reviews (8/0)
            You'll leave happy and hungry.

By Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times (8/0)
            Tortilla Soup is as tasty and nourishing as one of Martin's finest meals.

By Jeanne Aufmuth of Palo Alto Weekly (8/0)
            A delicious testament to love, living, and the art of eating well.

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Pam Grady of Reel.com (8/0)
            This flavorful tale is bound to pique discerning appetites.

By Betty Jo Tucker of ReelTalk Movie Reviews (8/0)
            'Tortilla Soup' gives Hector Elizondo the right recipe for his first starring role in a feature f...

By Jim Lane of Sacramento News & Review (8/0)
            A charming and delightful film.

By Wesley Morris of San Francisco Chronicle (8/0)
            ...more appetizing than the title.

By William Arnold of Seattle Post-Intelligencer (8/0)
            In spirit and nuance, this is an amazingly faithful remake.

By Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine (8/0)
            A proud ode to Latino families and their guarded acclimation into American society.

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of Spirituality and Practice (8/0)
            A pleasant familial drama spiced with a keen appreciation for the surprising twists and turns of...

By Maitland McDonagh of TV Guide (5/3)
            ...anchored by its strong cast.

By Ed Park of Village Voice (8/0)
            Feels instantly dated, distinguishable from EDMW only by some attractive close-ups of avocado.

By Malcolm Ritter of Associated Press (3/5) No reference
            As delectable as the gourmet food it features.

By Ted Murphy of Baseline.Hollywood.com (3/5) No reference
            Although there are some rather broad strokes to the comedy (and a couple of characters that verge...

By Tim Cogshell of Boxoffice Magazine (3/5) No reference
            A feast for the heart as well as the palate, Tortilla Soup is one of the best-tasting films of th...

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Mark Caro of Chicago Tribune (3/5) No reference
            Tortilla Soup may swap Szechwan peppercorns for chipotles, but it appeals to a universal appetite...

By Harry Haun of E! Online (3/5) No reference
            ...delicious...

By Donald Munro of Fresno Bee (3/5) No reference
            In the tradition of grand food films that capture the tangy jolt of a just-cut pepper, this genia...

By Liz Braun of Jam! Movies (3/5) No reference
            The story gets all hyperactive in the last 20 minutes, but even the predictable stuff can't oblit...

By Louis B. Hobson of Jam! Movies (3/5) No reference
            Tortilla Soup is bittersweet fun, but it could have been zanier had Maria Ripoll not directed it ...

By Paul Malcolm of L.A. Weekly (3/5) No reference
            ...whets the bland appetites of the art-house audience with a little cultural spice, but has forg...

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times (3/5) No reference
            ...worth sipping.

By Sue Pierman of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (7/1) No reference
            A tasty mix of old-fashioned entertainment, seasoned with fine acting and familiar faces.

By Michael Atkinson of Mr. Showbiz (3/5) No reference
            A mushy, shortcut-laden yawn quite apart from the film from which it stole its material.

By Rex Reed of New York Observer (3/5) No reference
            Endearing and unpretentious.

By Lou Lumenick of New York Post (3/5) No reference
            English-language remakes of foreign films are usually suspect, but Tortilla Soup is the exception...

By Kim Morgan of Oregonian (3/5) No reference
            Substitutes interesting food for intriguing or even likable characters.

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Roger Moore of Orlando Sentinel (3/5) No reference
            With its hammy moments and unending cuteness, Tortilla Soup is comfort food where Eat Drink Man W...

By Steve Schneider of Orlando Weekly (3/5) No reference
            Whatever the movie lacks in finesse, it makes up for as an overdue assemblage of Hispanic talent.

By Joe Baltake of Sacramento Bee (3/5) No reference
            Charming.

By David Elliott of San Diego Union-Tribune (3/5) No reference
            Acting like a family sitcom contrived for a TV food channel, Tortilla Soup should have been relea...

By Jodi Paper of San Francisco Examiner (3/5) No reference
            a warm, fun, satisfying film.

By John Hartl of Seattle Times (3/5) No reference
            A feast for the eyes that simply makes one want to feast.

                         Reviews of Tortilla Soup
By Geoff Pevere of Toronto Star (3/5) No reference
            If your erotic inclinations tilt toward the table, Tortilla Soup will probably offer nothing shor...

By Michael O'Sullivan of Washington Post (3/5) No reference
            A filling but unoriginal dish.

By Stephen Hunter of Washington Post (3/5) No reference
            It's so brimful of life you can't say no.

By Jeffrey Chen of Window to the Movies (3/5) No reference
            English-language Mexican-family version of Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman doesn't duplicate the su...

By Marta Barber of Miami Herald (7/1) Not Reachable
            The film is a charmer, filled with homey details that make you nostalgic for a warm and spicy tor...

By Carrie Rickey of Philadelphia Inquirer (3/5) Not Reachable
            Makes you famished for spice-rubbed whole fish and lamb with orange salsa while it amply feeds yo...

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