I always thought Nora Epron stole the idea of incorporating recipes into the story's narrative for her novel Heartburn from Jorge Amado's sly 1977 book about a virtuous but sensual Bahia cooking school teacher hopelessly besotted with her philandering, gambling husband. Here it is beautifully translated to screen with our heroine, Dona Flor, portrayed by the beautiful Sonia Braga and set in Brazil in 1943 complete with period costumes, beautiful food and period music.

The story lesiurely unfolds as the viewer comes to understand why it is Dona Flor loves her sexy Vadinho and puts up with his abuse. After he drops dead during a Carnival samba dressed in drag and wearing a large fake male organ, Dona Flor is inconsolable. Celibate and desperately missing sex, she finally remarries. This time her choice (to her mother's delight) is a solid middle-class pharmacist, a good man, loving husband and bassoon player. However, on her honeymoon, Dona Flor discovers to her dismay that something is missing in the bedroom. Act 3 of our story takes a mystical bent with the undead Vadinho suddenly appearing naked in her bedroom and only Flor can see him. Death has not changed Vadinho, he still goes around to his old haunts, helps out his gambling friends and favorite prostitutes, all the while trying to make it with his wife who still retains her sexual longings.

The movie diverges from the book at the ending and although both work for Dona Flor whom we come to love, I prefer the book ending which resolves the dilemma by demonstrating Flor's emotional growth and good character. However, find the movie if you can and/or read the book, it is a funny tale with great recipes. Now if I only had a plate of those crabs with dente oil and onions.

This is one of my all time favorite foreign films from Brazil. Brazil is much more liberal than the USA. I know it cut out some of the more raunchy parts, yet still has some. Children under 18 should not be allowed to see this film unless parents watch it first and decide how liberal they want to be. Knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish is almost a must because the subtitles just give you a gist of what is said. But since I speak Spanish and some Portuguese I understand it well.

An excellent but graphic depiction of the middle age crisis and the opposing pulls of conventional respectability and the pure thrill of being alive that rapturous sex provides. I waited 15 years for a chance to see this movie again on dvd.

Remaster version of the most successful film in Brazil history. New York Video really has respect for his clientele. The image quality is optimal, taking in account the year the movie was released. It is in enhanced 16x9 Widescreen. The soundtrack by Chico Buarque has been remastered in Dolby. No scene has been cut. No censure. New York Video presents the complete Re-release version as was presented in Brazil. In optional English or Portuguese language with optional English subtitles.

I loved this movie when I saw it on the big screen years ago. If you still have a VHS player go for it.