Passionada is the story of three generations of Portuguese women in the fishing community of New Bedford, MA. The protagonist, Sally Amonte, is still mourning the loss of her deceased husband and though she is young and beautiful, has resigned herself to working in the textile mill, caring for her elderly mother-in-law, and worrying about her rebellious teenage daughter. Her husband was the love of her life and she does not expect to find another. Charlie Beck is a handsome British charmer, he arrives in a vintage sports car and woos Sally until he sweeps her off her feet. Unfortunately, he neglects to mention that he is a professional gambler with bad instincts and that the Jaguar is borrowed. Sally's daughter, Vicky, is aware of Beck's chosen profession and threatens to tell her Mom (who Beck has fallen in love with) about it unless he tutors her in the art of card counting.

The first feature film to be filmed on location in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 45 years.

Vicky:
"Yah, Yah, Yah."

Factual errors: Most of the Portuguese ethnic and cultural references - except the 'Fado' songs (by M￿a) - are flawed: - the title is not correct - in Portuguese it would be "Apaixonada". - none of the character's names are typically Portuguese (Celia, Amonte, Angelica, Gianni Martinez) - Celia prepares a Spanish Paella for Jason - at the street parade, the song is not the Portuguese folk-song the people are dancing on the background - the dance scene is under the spell of a Brazilian Soft-Samba. - "Granny" in Portuguese is "Vov￿r>