gandalf-31 My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. We had wanted to see this when it first came to video/DVD but didn't get to it. Frankly, I then forgot about it. Last week, I was reminded of the movie and went out and rented it.I have not seen the Ang Lee movie, "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman" so can not comment on how it compares. But we really liked "Tortilla Soup" The performance by the cast of Elizondo, Pena, Obradors and unknown (to me) Mello; was very good. Raquel Welch was a bit over the top, but all in good fun. The interaction between the father (Elizondo) and daughters was believable and you could sense the love he had for them under his stern exterior (and you knew his daughters knew it too).As others have mentioned, the food preparation and serving scenes were colorful and very beautiful. Shows there is a lot more to Mexican cuisine than what you run into at most restaurants.This movie will make you smile, like enjoying a good meal. 8 out of 10

rxfore Tortillia Souip is a remake of Ang Lee's Yin shi nan nu. The original, even in subtitle form is far superior to this version. To me,it is much like seeing an original Renoir' recreated in a paint by number kit.

Speckled_Hand In the neverending search for grist for the mill of evening video entertainment for me and my sweet wife, I was pleased to find this (to me) obscure title. The cast is sound, the performances believable and enjoyable, and the plot gentle and real-life.The food scenes still swim before my vision: sheesh, I'm not a gourmand but this movie really makes food spectacular! Just watching Hector (or his 'stunt' double!) cook is a passion-evoking experience. Like seeing any master craftsperson doing what s/he loves, it is delightful. Racquel is really charming and plays a memorably wacky character.As a lover of reality shows (mostly), I think of this as one of the genre of movies most like a reality show: a grown-up evening's watch. The plotting means you'll have some closure after the 90-120 minutes, and the characters and situations are real enough that you can just sit back and have a good time watching these folks live out their interesting lives.Did I mention the FOOD? :)

mrbluto First, let me say that I did not understand a lot in Eat Drink Man Woman, I am not familiar with life in Taipei, but I am familiar with life of Mexican's. That is one of the reason Tortilla Soup is so good, it takes Ang Lee's script and keeps the soul but adds some spice. The cast of Tortilla Soup is souper (I mean super): The elegant Hector Elizondo plays the hardworking single father of three independent girls; he is stern father with his girls but shows a softer side with the 10-year-old daughter of a cute neighbor played by the sexy Constance Marie. Plus he is one hell of a cook. Elizabeth Peña plays the overly religious older daughter Leticia, she tries to hide and hold down her passion but a handsome baseball coach, played by Paul Rodriguez, brings out the love in her. The other two daughters are played by Jacqueline Obradors, as the second eldest Carmen, who has her life mapped out by her father but she does not need a map. Tamara Mello as the sickly thin baby of the family Maribel who is ignored by her family and almost everyone else. Tortilla is great fun and has lots of heart, but has a soul to match. The surprises in this movie will make you laugh and smile days after the movie is over. A tasty 8 out of 10