Best movie of this year hands down!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Machismo. It's that thing that means a man is always King of the castle, even if he has no castle.In this land, here Brazil, Isabella (Penelope Cruz) was the man. She had to be in control, and her husband Toninho (Murilo Benicio) suffered the laughs of their friends and acquaintances.He could stand no more, had an affair, and she left.A move to San Francisco, a little witchcraft, and success appears as she forgets Tohinho completely. Oh, and there is Monica (Harold Perrineau), a real blast!Director Fina Torres gives us a funny and romantic film with great Latin music in the background.

Penelope Cruz looked the prettiest I have ever seen her. She kinda bugs me usually. In this one, she was more likable. I don't think I have actually seen her in anything lighter before like this. I do not think this movie was for American audiences. It felt like a Spanish movie. With the cheesy mystical touches and music. It was a little weird, but I liked it. The guy who played the husband was handsome and not bad. He can sing. The supporting cast was good. The story was as all Romcom's tend to be, totally unbelievable. She get's on TV in a day, and it feels like she has been there only a week when they move the story along, they did not make an effort to show any kind of time passing so it feels disjointed time wise. That is also one of the good things, the story moves along fast. It is like reading a light romance novel. You know what is going to happen, there are no surprises but you still enjoy it. I think it is worth a viewing. I watched it on Netflix..

I saw some of the reviews and I'm amazed! Good things: The only good things about this movie are the Brazilian music and the fact that it's really short (although it will seem like an eternity!) Plot/characters: The idea is not bad - Isabella is a great chef in her husband's restaurant in a little city of Brazil. He cheats on her, so Isabella decides to go to San Francisco and start her own cooking career. Usually, movies that involve food have great success, but this one is not centered on food... It's on the aroma and the effects of the ingredients. The story seems nice, but it's an illusion. It's developed poorly, the acting is awful (yes,Penelope Cruz included) and even the ending is disappointing. The most complex and kind of funny character is Monica, the heroine's transvestite best friend. (not joking)It's a real waste of time, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone!

I think you have to understand myth's and ideas in other parts of the world to be able to understand the movie. Personally, I loved it. It gives you that trip to Brazil without leaving your house.The music was great, the story was a bit cheesy but refreshing. Open your eyes to other cultures. Allow yourself to enjoy the simple things such as cooking. I think it was sensual, funny and refreshing.I think Penelope Cruz did a great job. Having seen most of her movies, I can say that her best movies are the ones that are not overly popular. Woman on top gives women the opportunity to be successful and show men that we can do it.