Woman on Top Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman who gets car sick easily moves to San Francisco and becomes a famous chef, proving that sometimes all you need is a TV show and a drag queen best friend to deal with marital problems.

🍿 Woman on Top: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Isabella’s Life in Brazil

Isabella Oliveira, a talented Brazilian chef, suffers from severe motion sickness, requiring her to be in control in most aspects of her life, including relationships. She and her husband, Toninho, run a successful restaurant in Bahia. However, her need to be ‘on top,’ both literally and figuratively, frustrates Toninho.

Betrayal and Departure

Toninho’s insecurities lead him to have an affair. Discovering his infidelity, Isabella decides to leave him and Brazil behind. Seeking a fresh start, she moves to San Francisco, hoping to reclaim control over her life and rediscover her passion for cooking.

A New Beginning in San Francisco

In San Francisco, Isabella reconnects with her childhood friend, Monica, a drag queen. She also meets Cliff Lloyd, a television producer who is captivated by her culinary talent and charismatic personality. He offers her a chance to host her own cooking show, ‘Passion Food.’

Rising Stardom and Toninho’s Return

Isabella’s cooking show becomes a hit, and she quickly rises to local celebrity status. Meanwhile, Toninho, realizing his mistake and missing Isabella, travels to San Francisco to win her back. He attempts to woo her with romantic gestures, including serenading her on her own show.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Isabella Oliveira (Penélope Cruz): A talented Brazilian chef with motion sickness who seeks independence and success in San Francisco after her husband’s infidelity.
• Toninho Oliveira (Murilo Benício): Isabella’s insecure and unfaithful husband who tries to win her back after she leaves for San Francisco.
• Monica Jones (Harold Perrineau): Isabella’s supportive and flamboyant transgender best friend who provides her with companionship and guidance in San Francisco.
• Cliff Lloyd (Mark Feuerstein): A television producer who falls for Isabella and helps her launch her cooking show, offering her a new romantic prospect.
• Alex Reeves (John de Lancie): A manager of the cooking show that gives Isabella the platform for success.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Toninho: “Isabella, I swear on my mother’s grave, you are the only woman I ever loved.” – Toninho desperately tries to convince Isabella of his love after she discovers his infidelity.
• Toninho: “Isabella, I need to be on top, sometimes.” – Toninho’s explanation for cheating, referencing Isabella’s need to be in control due to her motion sickness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,020,111
• Worldwide Gross: $10,194,274

💥 Woman on Top Reviews

Personal Review

I thought this movie was adorable! Penelope Cruz is luminous, and the Brazilian setting in the beginning is vibrant and full of life. I especially enjoyed the scenes where she’s cooking; you can really feel the passion and love she puts into her food. The ending was a bit predictable, but overall, it’s a feel-good movie that left me smiling. The relationship with her drag queen best friend was great.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Penélope Cruz”
  • “Viewers interested in Brazilian culture and cuisine”
  • “Those who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies with a touch of magical realism”
  • “People looking for movies with strong female characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Some mature language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Penelope Cruz shines, and the film offers moments of gentle humor. It’s a charming movie with chuckles that keep the plot interesting. Viewers seeking an entertaining movie with charm and chuckles will be delighted to happen upon this lesser-known movie.
• IMDb: “While the story is light and the script may be pedestrian, the direction and camera work suffuse this film with Latin American magical realism and that keeps it lighthearted and fun. Cruz is terrific, Perrineau is the true star of the show displaying a sophisticated and sensitive acting skill that is very special, and Murilo Benício is not only a hunk and eye candy but also a fine singer and a warm actor who deserves a lot of attention.

Audience Reactions

Loved the Brazilian music and culture shown throughout the film.: Many enjoyed the fun Brazilian music and lightheartedness.

Penelope Cruz gives a stellar performance.: The audience was captivated by Cruz’s beauty and on-screen charisma.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted romantic comedy that’s visually appealing with a great soundtrack, but some viewers found the plot predictable and the ending unsatisfying.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “All the interiors for the San Francisco scenes were actually filmed in sound stages in Brazil to save on production costs.”
• “The film uses Brazilian Bossa Nova music extensively, reflecting the main character’s Brazilian heritage and the sensuality of her cooking.”

🖥️ How to Watch Woman on Top?

As of October 2024, ‘Woman on Top’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability as it may vary by region. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Woman on Top, you might like these similar films:

• Like Water for Chocolate (1992): Both films blend magical realism with cooking, passion, and the exploration of female desire within a Latin American setting.
• Eat Pray Love (2010): Features a female protagonist who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after leaving a relationship, focusing on food and personal growth.
• Under the Tuscan Sun (2003): A woman impulsively buys a villa in Tuscany after a divorce, finding new purpose and romance in a foreign land.

🛒 Woman on Top Related Products

• Penelope Cruz Movie Poster: A high-quality print featuring Penelope Cruz from ‘Woman on Top’. Perfect for movie rooms and fans of Penelope Cruz.
• Brazilian Cooking Starter Kit: Everything you need to start cooking authentic Brazilian dishes. Includes spices, recipes, and cooking utensils.
• ‘Bossa Nova’ Music Compilation: Download a collection of classic Bossa Nova tracks featured in the movie’s soundtrack.
• Woman On Top [DVD]: Own the full movie, and replay over and over.

🎧 Soundtrack

Woman on Top features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Brazil” – performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra
• “Aquarela do Brasil” – performed by Various Artists
• “Você” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Flor E O Espinho – Paulinho Moska

Ever wondered what ‘Woman on Top’ is all about? This music video not only features a catchy tune from the film but also gives you a quick rundown of the plot! I personally think it’s a great way to get a feel for the movie before diving in.

Falsa Baiana – Paulinho Moska

Want a quick and easy way to understand the story of ‘Woman on Top’? This music video is your answer! It includes a great song from the film and a mini-plot summary. Honestly, it’s like a movie trailer in song form, and I think it’s super helpful!

✨ Rate