palabras ARACELI CRUZ

When it comes to Jesus apparitions, people are known to get a little wacky and that is just the case in the delightful independent comedy Tortilla Heaven, directed by Judy Hecht Dumontet and starring Jose Zúñiga and George Lopez.

Life in the quaint New Mexico town is pleasant, despite only having one grocery store, one restaurant, one church, one sheriff and no pavement roads. The townsfolk are a tight-knit bunch that partakes in everyone’s business, but when Jesus appears on a tortilla made by the town chef Isidor, the community runs amok.

Initially everyone in the neighborhood flock to pay their respects to the Jesus tortilla though once the slick devil-like entrepreneur Gil Garcia, played by Miguel Sandoval, drops into town with his girl troupe (look out for “Ugly Betty” sister, actress Ana Ortiz) he manipulates naïve Isidor into exploiting his tortilla and betraying his community.

The people begin to see dollar signs themselves and desire to progress their own lives. The priest seeks more saint statues for his church, the mayor wants a golf course, Isidor wants to be the next Wolfgang Puck, Sheriff Everardo, played by Lopez, wants more squad cars and Adelfa, played by Lupe Ontiveros, besides wanting a grandchild wants a larger supermarket.

Tortilla Heaven is an endearing film with hilarious performances by Lopez and the amazing Ontiveros with an uplifting soundtrack containing Juanes and Ozomatli.

Though the central theme of greediness seemed at times over the top ― it is proven fact people go to great lengths to witness a Jesus apparition ― the film is still sweet and funny.

Tortilla Heaven opens in select theaters March 16th.