ViewGuide

Created Jul 30, 2016 02:12PM PST • Edited Mar 21, 2022 06:45AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Penélope Cruz is always worth watching, even in a somewhat forgettable romcom. Fortunately, Woman on Top is primarily set in San Francisco, giving it a second draw for viewers like me. But that’s about it.

   Her supporting cast can’t hold a candle to her, nor does the female empowerment script fully rise to the occasion. But for those of us smitten with the bewitching Penélope, that’s OK. She’s all that, on top or not.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Penélope Cruz plays an earthy chef from provincial Brazil who finds her way to San Francisco, where she becomes a culinary star. More importantly, she’s her characteristic charismatic self, a legit romcom star.

   • Murilo Benício can’t hold a charismatic candle to her as her emasculated husband.
   • Harold Perrineau plays her transexual BFF to moderately humorous effect.
   • Mark Feuerstein is rather bland as Cruz’s American love interest.
   • John de Lancie is less cutting than usual.
   • Ana Gasteyer doesn’t add much.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.4

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.4

    It doesn’t thunderstorm in San Francisco.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.8

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Glib 1.3