Review: No Reservations
A Souffle that Refuses to Rise
This July the American version of Mostly Martha came out entitled, No Reservations starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, and Abigail Breslin. While the German film, Mostly Martha brought the audience a film that enticed the senses with scrumptious entrees and delectable desserts leaves the viewers hungry for more at the end, No Reservations pales in comparison.
Although the setting and story remain identical, the No Reservations simply falls as flat as a soufflé. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Kate) plays an obsessive head chef in a New York City restaurant who cannot think about anything else but her job. She is completely absorbed in perfecting her dishes. Beyond her recipes, she determines that no one can do better. When the customers complain, she never hesitates in yelling at them. Her volatile temper leads her boss to insist that she attend counseling. At her sessions, she only talks about her job and food. She brings her therapist new dishes for him to try. She has a few emotional attachments, her sister and daughter who live in another city. She visits them from time to time. The distance keeps them at a safe distance. Otherwise, she lives a solitary existence completely concentrated in culinary cuisine.
One day, her life completely changes when her sister unexpectedly dies. Kate must take care of her eight-year old daughter, Zoe. Instead of reaching out to Zoe, Kate continues to make fancy dishes for her to take to lunch. She seems to have no sense of loss or communicative skills.
During this awkward time, Kate’s boss brings on another chef, Nick, without consulting Kate. Nick is free spirited, relaxed, and unstructured. Kate immediately takes a dislike to him and thinks he is trying to take her job away from her. On the contrary, Nick admires Kate and just wants to work with Kate.
Meanwhile, she is desperately trying to connect with Zoe, run her kitchen, and comprehend Nick’s actions. As expected, Nick connects with Zoe famously. Kate learns there is a world outside the confines of her carefully constructed kitchen.
While the setting and story between the two films remains nearly identical except for geographical location, No Reservations simply falls as flat as a soufflé. For those that saw Mostly Martha, the American version will disappoint. If No Reservations is the first viewing, the audience will walk away hankering for more than a bland and predictable romance. Seek out Mostly Martha and enjoy a tasty delicacy!
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