Woman on Top

Woman on Top, directed by Fina Torres, is the story of Isabella Oliveira. Isabella is a Brazilian chef, who has a restaurant with her husband, Tonhino. Isabella, played by Penelope Cruz, is a woman who has been afflicted by motion sickness all her life. It is so severe that in order to travel in an automobile she must be the driver and not the passenger. She must also always be on top during lovemaking. Her husband, who is old fashioned when it comes to gender roles, sees these as things men should do. Over time he starts to feel emasculated and ultimately commits adultery.

Isabella is heartbroken over the infidelity and moves to San Francisco to live with her sister. While there, her talents as a chef are discovered and she finds new success as a celebrity chef with her own television show. Meanwhile the restaurant, nor Tonhino is faring nearly as well. Tonhino makes the decision to travel to America to find his estranged wife and win her back.