Review of Tortilla Soup (2001) by Andy S — 05 Jun 2009

I've never eaten tortilla soup before, but I imagine it would taste spicy, perhaps a bit tangy, and would certainly please my palate. Unfortunately, Tortilla Soup the movie needed a few more chiles in the pot.

For the most part, the film is predictable, cliche, and rather uninspired. I admit that I enjoyed watching the preparation of the food (what is it about watching people prepare food that is so romantic?).

I think I could have watched a whole film of Hector Elizondo (or his hand double) cooking beautiful food and been satisfied . . . that's not to say the rest of the story was unappealing, only a bit more bland than I would have preferred.

I don't know that I really expected more out of the film; I just hoped for a bit more kick along the way or a pleasing aftertaste. For lovers of food, this movie may tickle the taste buds; for lovers of film, Tortilla Soup is a mediocre appetizer one accepts in anticipation of a more appealing entree ("Julie and Julia", perhaps?).