(rated PG-13, 102 mins.)
Retired Mexican-American chef Martin Naranjo (Hector Elizondo) shares an L.A. home with his three adult and very single daughters. Every night he sits them down for lavish dinners in family style ritual. Unfortunately for the strict papa, meals slowly turn to indigestion at the table, as his biggest worry that they not speak “Spanglish” becomes the least of his problems. College student Maribel is growing frustrated with the single scene, sexiest daughter and career woman Carmen is fed up with her stifled world while the eldest daughter Letitia, has long held back her needs in order to mother the group until now. Much like a modern day “Fiddler On the Roof” with lots of raging hormones and opinions, while dad himself a widower, hooks up with an unexpected vivacious divorcee (Raquel Welch) who puts the moves on him. Similar to Oscar winning Ang Lee’s production of “Eat Drink Man Woman” for the Hispanic community, Tortilla Soup spells a recipe for success. And, thank God Hector Elizondo (Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries) finally gets a lead role we knew he would undoubtedly pull off.
