"Woman on Top" is the latest, supposedly "sensual," film from Venezuelan director Fina Torres. The producers have counted on its beautiful Spanish lead actress, Penelope Cruz ("All About My Mother"), to take it to the bank. Sadly, Cruz's acting ability does not come close to her beauty, leaving us with a dud of a romantic comedy.
The film begins in Brazil, where the gorgeous Isabella (Cruz) works as a chef in a restaurant owned by her husband, Toninho (Murilo Benicio). Isabella was born with a unique condition that gives her severe motion sickness. Subsequently, she must always have control of all aspects of her life - she must always drive, she cannot take elevators, and in bed, she must always be on top. Although I do not believe for a second that any man would ever do so, Toninho cheats on her because he feels the need to be on top. When Isabella discovers her husband's dirty deeds, she gets out of town fast and heads all the way to San Francisco.
In her new town, Isabella sets out to find a job in her field of expertise, cooking. She eventually finds one as a cooking instructor. An aroma she emits from her kitchen one morning leads a local television producer, Cliff (Mark Feuerstein), and many other hopeful men, to follow her to her class. In need of a new show, Cliff asks Isabella to star in her own cooking series. She gladly abides and our main plot is, finally, set.
While every man who lays eyes on her is openly seen swooning, Isabella has three main men in her life. The first is her husband who follows her to San Francisco, admits that he made a horrible mistake, and begs for her to take him back. Another is Cliff, the tv producer who would love for their relationship to extend well beyond the business end. The last man in Isabella's life is called Monica (Harrold Perrineau Jr. - "Best Man"), Isabella's best friend who happens to be a transvestite and was recently released from prison.
"Woman on Top" is a romantic comedy, but it manages to fail on both sides of the spectrum. Romantically, the chemistry is never sincere, and the audience does not care who, if anybody, Isabella decides to be with in the end. As a comedy, the only aspect that works at all are a few scenes with Monica's character. Other than these very sparse laughs, or chuckles to be more precise, the film falls terribly flat.
Penelope Cruz provides us with the beauty desired for the sensual romance, but as a lead actress, she is just not suitable. The character she attempts to portray is not at all interesting or even truly believable. Her love interests are better acted, but their characters are so single minded that they are not engaging in the least. The only fairly interesting character in the film is Monica, but he (or she) is used only for comic effect. But in all fairness, I do not believe that any cast could have been assembled to make good out of this material.
"Woman on Top" is not worth your $7 or any of your time. Even if you are a sucker for romantic comedies, this is one to at least wait for on video before putting down a penny to see it.
Penelope Cruz (All The Pretty Horses) cooks up sexy fun as Isabella, a gorgeous chef who melts the palates and hearts of men everywhere. When Isabella...More at Buy.com
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