User reviews

Despite what I recall of the advertising campaign last year, this soft-hearted 2007 film is far less a Food Network-derived romantic comedy than a Lifetime-oriented drama about grief and work/life balance. Directed by Scott Hicks ("Shine") and written by first-timer Carol Fuchs, this film offers the most insightful peek into the workings of an upscale Manhattan restaurant since 2000's "Dinner Rush" (i.e., if you don't count last year's CGI-generated, French food-fest, "Ratatouille"), but it also seems intent in splintering the story between the romantic sparks between the co-stars and the unexpected relationship that a single aunt forms with her orphaned niece. The result is heartwarming but rather diluted considering the potential inherent in the material presented. Hicks and Fuchs also seem intent on inserting predictable clichés along the way to reinforce the formulaic approach taken with the story.

Basically a remake of the 2001 German comedy, "Mostly Martha", the plot centers on perfectionist chef Kate who runs a tightly efficient kitchen in a chic SoHo bistro. As a resolute overachiever, she is able to get up before dawn to get to the fish market and stay late at the restaurant making her impeccably presented dishes until closing. So tightly wound is Kate that restaurant owner Paula forces her to see a therapist to address her supposedly difficult personality. This is the first of several disconnects I had with the film as Kate strikes me as demanding but not particularly abusive to her staff. Regardless, her life is turned upside down by the sudden death of her sister and the addition of her niece Zoe to her structured life. As if that wasn't enough, Paula has hired Nick, a rowdy opera-loving sous-chef, to partner with Kate as she struggles with her personal transition at home. Taking a number from the Tracy-Hepburn manual for romantic comedy, tempers flare as do sparks. Zoe's recovery from her mother's death becomes a complicating factor, but the rest of the story plays out basically how you would presume.

More interesting in edgier, less sympathetic roles, Catherine Zeta-Jones plays the icier aspects of her role well, but she is markedly less arresting when her character turns warm and gooey. The script also doesn't really respect her character much since she is made to look overly foolish and insensitive in her early scenes as a struggling mother figure. Aaron Eckhart seems to be playing more of a plot device as Nick, but he does it well, and the requisite sparks occur with Zeta-Jones. Cornering the market on playing put-upon children, Abigail Breslin is fine as Zoe, even though she has to be glumly depressed for much of the film. The usually more dimensional Patricia Clarkson plays Paula as a surprisingly brittle, opportunistic character, while Bob Balaban isn't given much to do at all as Kate's therapist but act as a bromide. Stuart Dryburgh's autumnal cinematography makes all the food look good, the stars as well, and minimalist composer Philip Glass, of all people, provided the unobtrusive soundtrack dominated by Puccini, Verdi, and Flotow arias. The most significant bonus item on the 2008 DVD is a twenty-minute episode of the Food Network's "Unwrapped" which includes interviews with the film's stars and the real chefs who concocted the dishes in the movie.

In Manhattan, the workaholic Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the chef of the 22 Bleecker Restaurant owned by Paula (Patricia Clarkson), who sent her to a therapist (Bob Balaban) because she has no other interest in life but cooking and controlling her kitchen. When her only sister dies in a car accident, Kate becomes the guardian of her niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin), who can not overcome the loss of her mother. Paula orders Kate to take a couple of days off to care of Zoe; when Kate returns to the work, she finds that Paula hired the sub-chef Nick (Aaron Eckhart) without her approval. Nick explains that he is honored of working with Kate, but the jealous Kate does not trust in him and believes he wants her position. When Zoe gets close to Nick and invites him to have dinner with Kate and her, she changes her feelings for Nick. But when his work is recognized by the clients of the restaurant, Kate believes she committed a mistake.

"No Reservations" is delightfully sweet, with a nice romance supported by the magnificent chemistry of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart; a good story; a wonderful soundtrack; and the visual of splendorous dishes. The beauty of Catherine Zeta-Jones is awesome, and I really loved her character and this entertaining feel-good movie. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sem Reservas" ("Without Reservations")

Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the intense perfectionist head chef of an upscale Manhattan restaurant. She has anger issues and the restaurant owner Paula (Patricia Clarkson) sends her to a therapist (Bob Balaban). She lives an intense lonely single life refusing to date her neighbor Sean. Her sister dies in a car crash. Her niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin) survives and is placed with her. Zoe's father is unknown. They both struggle. Paula hires new chef Nick Palmer (Aaron Eckhart) to pick up the slack which only angers Kate.

It's a remake of 'Mostly Martha'. This is a bit lighter in tone than the original. There are some minor changes but they kept Leah pregnant with short hair. I'm glad they lost Zoe's father in this version. It was a bit of a distraction in the original.

Breslin is a great child actor. She is the big improvement over the original. She and Zeta-Jones have a compelling story. The romance with Aaron Eckhart is a little lacking. He has limited chemistry with Zeta-Jones. They're also relying on a few too many montages. I would also prefer a lot more food porn in a cooking movie. Nevertheless, this is a nice story of coming together.

I think that Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart could do a new version of "Prizzi's Honor" they both look like professional killers. In a nice way, of course. It wouldn't have surprised me if one of the two had produced a kitchen knife and stabbed the other multiple times. Okay, enough of that. The movie is, how shall I put it? Nice. Catherine Zeta Jones manages a sort of warmth that I had never noticed before in her and Aaron, well, he just goes for it, reveling in this film persona that he's been developing for years. The tender macho type. The food looks great but not as great as in "Big Night" remember that one? Some character touches are really spot on. The city and the dishes are photographed beautifully, the human beings a little less. I almost walked out during a musical montage but I'm a glad I didn't. All in all. Fun. Not Preston Sturges but fun.

(My Synopsis) Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the master chef at the trendy 22 Bleecker Street Restaurant in Manhattan. She runs her kitchen at a rapid pace as she coordinates the making and preparing of all the fantastic meals and personally displays the food to perfection on every dish. She intimidates everyone around her, so her boss sends her to therapy. Kate hates to leave the kitchen when a customer wants to compliment her on one of her special dishes, but she is ready to leave the kitchen in a second when a customer insults her cooking. Kate's sister is killed in a car accident and her nine-year old daughter Zoe (Abigail Breslin) moves in with Kate. With all of Kate's problems, the boss hires a new chef to join the staff. Nick (Aaron Eckhart) is a rising star in his own right and could be the head chef of another restaurant, but he wants to work under Kate. Kate begins to feel threatened by Nick, because he has a different style of running the kitchen. Nick loves to listen to opera when he cooks and to make the staff laugh. With all that is going on in Kate's life, falling for a man is the last thing she was looking for. There is some kind of chemistry between Kate and Nick that can only go one way. Yet life will hit her in the head when Kate's boss offers Nick the head chef job.

(My Comment) You know before going in that this is a chick flick. If anything, I wanted to see Catherine Zeta-Jones do her thing. The movie actually touches on a hard subject of what can happen in life when someone you love dies. Kate had her own life and now she is responsible for her niece Zoe. Being responsible for a child will change your life dramatically, and Kate discovers that very soon. What used to be important to Kate is not so important, and she must work very hard to build a relationship with Zoe. Yes, this is a chick flick, but it also touches real life to. I think the real star of the movie was Abigail Breslin. Abigail was able to pull off her part and make you believe that her mother had actually died. Most of the movie is light hearted and fun to watch and is very predictable. (Warner Bros. Pictures, Run time 1:44, Rated PG)(6/10)

"No Reservations" is not a great film, nor does it pretend to be. It is very predictable and follows the formula used in countless other movies. Despite that, it give you everything you want from this type of film and is better than many of the sequels that have come out this year.

Catherine Zeta Jones is as beautiful as ever. There is a nice dose of Verdi and Puccini opera arias, and Abigail Breslin steals the film like she did with "Little Miss Sunshine." I have not liked Aaron Eckert in the past, but in this film he brings happiness to the otherwise dour Zeta Jones.

Some of the professional critics said they like the original German film "Mostly Martha" better, but I thought that "No reservations" improved on the original in every possible way. The only valid criticism I could find was that Catherine Zeta Jones is too beautiful to be believable as a lonely chef. That is a flaw I can live with.

If you are looking for a break from the so-called Summer "action" films, "No Reservations" is not very original, but it certainly fits the bill. The only drawback is that you will definitely leave the theater feeling really hungry for good food.

It's so rare nowadays to watch a romantic comedy different, we were surprised to find that with such copies. You are right that No Reservations is no original comedy, as is the Hollywood version for the long German 2001 Bella Martha. The movie from the beginning of the last decade has several qualities, knowing being lightweight and emotional in the right measure, receiving rave reviews around the world. What happens is that the Hollywood version for most adaptations, there is clearly a loss of essential characteristics of the original, due to a more commercial film. But here, this remake emerges as one of the pleasant surprises of the year in the genre, for his part very technical and extremely mingled his cast. Director Scott Hicks - who led numerous documentaries and won recognition for being ahead of Shine(1996) with Geoffrey Rush, and while driving other good movies like Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) and Hearts in Atlantis (2001) - brings a dramedy exciting, with good moments of humor and all conducted with great delicacy.

Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the chef of an upscale Manhattan restaurant, owned by Paula (Patricia Clarkson). She takes her job very seriously, which makes people around him with his intimidating way. His perfectionist nature is put to the test when he's hired Nick (Aaron Eckhart), a lively sous trying to cheer everyone up in the kitchen and enjoys listening to opera while working. While Kate must deal with the sudden arrival of Zoe (Abigail Breslin), a 9 year old niece, who feels displaced in routine aunt.

It is interesting to see that the script newcomer Carol Fuchs, search over this new version as much focus in the relationship of Kate, yet the relationship with your niece has a prominent role. Kate's character is well developed and in the first few scenes we can see your way of thinking and acting. She is a woman who for some years has no relationship. One reason for this is their way controller and defensive with men and all who try to approach her. Kate loves her job and is focused almost entirely to him. At one point she says: "This work is my life." She lives a few blocks from the restaurant where he works. It is easy to see that she is very lonely, methodical, and follows a routine religiously. It is full of its own rules that hinder a relationship with another person, not accepting certain behaviors, for example, going to a neighbor who is clearly in love with her.

Fuchs writes a screenplay with ups and downs. Despite being very good, and having a good pace in the narrative, the writer can not evade some clichés and predictability that mark the dramatic comedies. In the first few scenes, it is not difficult to perceive how the movie will end. Both the relationship of Kate and Nick, as in Kate and Zoe. Even with all this, the film ends up being one of the best options in recent years, leading the viewer, who engages in this delightful work. The script also knew how to work the game of opposites. While Kate is methodical, serious, perfectionist, full of quirks, rules and closed to everything and everyone, his sister is more expansive. In the few scenes where it appears at the beginning of the film when they are on the way to Kate's house, and during the home videos that show with Zoe, now you can see his joy of living, and how it was harmonious and loving relationship with his daughter . It is precisely the arrival of opposites in the life of Kate, who make it and become more open to people. The two opposites are her niece Zoe and sous chef Nick.

Another merit of bringing radical changes in the life of a natural and progressive, never forcing a sudden change of behavior. After the fateful event in the life of the family, we see Kate slowly learning to take more responsibility had never handled before. Now she had to live with her niece, whom he has not seen for a long time and with whom he had much contact. Kate has to go slowly gaining a relationship of friendship and love with his niece, and starting to worry about feeding the girl, taking her to school, get her to sleep early, and mainly to help her overcome the recent death of his mother. To give credibility to a difficult character, Catherine Zeta-Jones - who has won the supporting actress Oscar for Chicago (2002) - does very well and shows that besides the obvious beauty, was competent to show the inner transformation of Kate compared to changes Latest in your life.

Aaron Eckhart once again composes his role so captivating. The talented actor who excelled in Thank You for Smoking (2005) director Jason Reitman, shows its versatility and charisma to lend sympathy to Nick and joie de vivre huge, conquering the audience and the other characters immediately. Already the young Abigail Breslin - Oscar nominated in 2006 for her role as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine - once again demonstrates talent and mastery on the scene. Despite being a genre already known by the actress, she was responsible for many of the dramatic scenes of the film. Breslin knew moving to a character that the audience at the beginning and was glad that it was extremely attached to his mother, and then you can show all your talent in the new phase of life for Zoe. Still really miss the mother, Zoe has to get used to a completely new life beside the aunt. The girl oscillates between moments of sadness for the death of the mother, lack a brother figure and rebellious pre-teen. The meshing of the main trio is the main ingredient that makes this movie work.

A critical piece that engages the viewer is the wonderful soundtrack by Philip Glass (The Hours (2002), The Illusionist (2006) and Notes on a Scandal (2006)) that is sensitive, exciting and beautiful, totally adjusted to the environment sophisticated and romantic that the film demanded. The track with pianos and strings being played constantly in the background everyday inside that packs the restaurant kitchen. It's like a live classical music to touch inside the restaurant all the time. Editing Pip Karmel is not as far-fetched and the slower pace of the film also did not ask for it. The assembler interim knew well the scenes with the therapist represented by Bob Balaban, with the events of the life of Kate. Meanwhile, photography Stuart Dryburgh managed to pass a climate colder and romantic Manhattan, with great indoor night scenes, with the right to talk next to a fireplace. Importantly the construction of apartment Kate and scenarios of the restaurant, which also act as characters in the narrative. The environments created by the art direction of W. Steven Graham, are cozy and charming.

The direction of Hicks is correct, it follows the formula of the genre without daring. Their frameworks are well studied and performed, giving a touch of delicacy even bigger dramas. Although there are strong themes such as death and a girl you have to deal with it, everything is put more subjectively. Everything is handled with lightness and romance does not suffer from overeating and appealing scenes. Adding all the great professionals, this delightful comedy drama is mandatory.

I loved the German film (Mostly Martha) that is the basis of this remake, and I was worried that the transition to Hollywood would spoil all the things that made the original so delightful. But I was very pleasantly surprised. There is a substantial plot change, but it doesn't wreck the movie, and a lot of the original dialog is kept word-for-word. Even if you know nothing about the original film, this is a lovely romantic comedy. During the sold-out preview show that I attended, people were laughing at the right moments and feeling moved at the right times too, and the casting was spot on - Catherine Zeta-Jones is perfect as the work-obsessed Kate dealing with the disruption of her perfectly-ordered life and Aaron Eckhart is irresistible with his mop of hair and those dimples. And what can you say about Abigail Breslin except that she's the most natural child actor working today. If you like romantic comedies, you'll like this one - it's smart, charming and you're rooting for the couple from the minute they meet. I can recommend this without reservations.

"No Reservations" is a sweet movie about love and cooking. It's about Kate, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is a very good chef and likes things her way in the kitchen. Then Nick, played by Aaron Eckhart, comes along. He's fun and likes to cook differently. They start to like each other.

Things change for Kate when she has to take care of her niece, Zoe. Kate's life gets a bit messy, like her neat kitchen, as she figures out how to be like a mom to Zoe and deal with her feelings for Nick.

The movie shows lots of yummy food and has pretty pictures of the kitchen and the food. Kate and Nick look good together, and Zoe is very cute. The movie feels like other love stories but has its own special taste because of the actors and the nice food.

In the end, "No Reservations" is like a good meal that makes you happy. It tells us that sometimes good things happen when we don't plan for them, and waiting for love is like waiting for a good meal to cook. Enjoy the movie!

"There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves." Thomas Wolfe

Ratatouille renewed my appetite for food movies, just as Babette's Feast whetted it almost 20 years ago. No Reservations reminds me that even a well-intentioned food movie can be poorly served. Yuck, it's like looking at beautifully-appointed wax fruit; Look too closely and you'll not eat it. If you do eat, you'll regret.

I regret that the beautifully put together Catherine Zeta Jones as Chef Kate at a trendy eatery on Bleeker St. cannot generate half the soul a little animated rat does when he tosses a garlic in a stew. When she puts truffles in a quail sauce, it's like an inept carpenter destroying your cherry cabinet with one blow: You just know he is in the wrong profession. Granted, Zeta-Jones's Kate has the maudlin ingredient cooked right into the plot—her sister killed in an auto accident, her niece becoming her ward, the music tinkling when they look at the family photos and swelling when they do "crazy" things together to create the elusive bond.

All I took away from this tear-jerking rom-com was a desire to go home and cook my favorite pasta combination; Aaron Eckhart's sous-chef Nick inspired me with his combination. But in the end, I laughed little (cooking cute is a tough assignment), was annoyed at the well-worn plot (Would Kate and Nick fall in love, she the crusty chef, he the canoodling cook?), and just wanted to get the bill and go.

As you can tell, I have plenty of reservations about No Reservations. See what I mean: You knew I'd try to be critic cute with that title. What fun can it be to know what's going to happen?

NO RESERVATIONS is an entertaining and nice summer 2007 film which gives an audience a very interesting and intelligent female lead in Cathterine Zeta-Jones as a Chef in the high profile "foodie biz" of chic New York and has the talented Aaron Eckhardt as her protagonist and romantic counterpart. Abigail Breslin in her "little grab the heart" role, shots of the village, wonderful appetizing displays of food and the glam gal, Patricia Clarkson, keeping 22 Beeker running and filled with customers. Have I mentioned that this film makes you want to pay attention the next time in your city a very pretentious and high profile restaurant opens for business? And, reservations are needed.

Usually I don't watch or like romantic comedies, but this one was surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable. The story was good, a lot like Raising Helen but without the charm of Kate Hudson, and also a decent adaptation from the German film Mostly Martha. The plot although it was a little predictable, it convince me gratefully. It has some very funny moments, the drama was acceptable and the romance was credible. Great cast, the acting was very decent from everyone, Catherine Zeta Jones with a role that fits her really well, Aaron Eckhart very good performance, he is a very versatile actor, the chemistry between Zeta Jones and Eckhart is awesome, you can really feel the attraction between them. And Abigail Breslin again with a very solid performance, she is building a very strong career despite of her very young age. The soundtrack was simply excellent, choosing classic music gives the movie a unique and enjoyable feeling. In conclusion, this movie is like a big slice of chocolate cake, you enjoy it to the end, but can't support another one. A film that girls will love and excellent to watch it with a love one. Not recommendable if you are single.

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a good film on a movie theater. My latest experiences have been "Wild Hogs", "Ocean's Thirteen", "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", now "No reservations"; which is not a bad film, but like so many, is regular and pointless at times and it makes you wonder why it was done.

I don't have the answer, but I do have more questions; with no answers of course: Why did Catherine Zeta-Jones do it? Why did Aaron Eckhart do it? And Abigail Breslin? And director Scott Hicks: why did he wait six years after the fantastic "Hearts in Atlantis" to do this? Is there a problem with agents? Luckily, I don't have to blame them much because, during most of the time, all of the mentioned above did a good job.

At times, however, they (the actors) look tired and their expressions don't seem so real. It happened mostly with Zeta-Jones, but it also occurred to Eckhart and Breslin. Maybe they couldn't believe what they were reading; watching "No reservations" is to watch intelligent people speaking silly words and a therapist (a likable Bob Balaban) making some sense out of everything…But the therapist doesn't appear long enough.

We don't have to forget that this is a remake and apparently Carol Fuchs couldn't do much with her script, taken from the old one of Sandra Nettelbeck. Sometimes when a writer takes on an old screenplay, you can sense a certain amount of freshness and originality, even if you haven't seen the original film; Carol Fuch's work is not the case.

There are a small number of comedies about love and cooking I like. The one I always recall is "Simply Irresistible", because it's an irresistible movie even when it exaggerates things… This I say it because "No reservations" sticks a lot to reality, with the help of Breslin's unique charm and naturalness and her instant chemistry with Zeta-Jones, and her chemistry with Eckhart; the elements that make the film watchable.

I've got to say about Eckhart; he's got a perfect way of creating completely different individuals in every film. I was revising his work and he has been part of films I have seen but I don't remember his presence in them…And tell me something about that beard in "Erin Brockovich". Here, he sings opera and jumps around in a state of eternal happiness; and he's more than contagious.

The other contagious thing I forgot to mention is the food…My God! Every dish looks amazing and you will spend the whole movie wanting to eat something. But the place where they cook it is so not contagious. In a simple production design, the kitchen where most of the movie takes place appears as empty as "No reservations" itself. I didn't want a place with shining lights and special effects, I know people are making food; but I felt I needed something a bit more exciting.

I haven't even said that Patricia Clarkson is in the movie; but that's because she's completely underused. Oh, and Phillip Glass' light score also has its moments.

Very likable even for a formula romcom, mainly because of the terrific casting and performances of the actors.

The forever beautiful and talented Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago, The Mask of Zorro) is spot on as Kate, a workaholic chef at hoity toity 22 Bleeker. Kate unexpectedly inherits her niece Zoe, played tremendously well by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine). Real-life motherhood must have enabled Zeta-Jones to show her softer side with the restraint her character called for.

Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking, Black Dahlia) is Nick, the Italian-trained, opera-singing, charismatic new chef who invades Kate's precision-perfect French kitchen. Nick is Kate's quintessential opposite and eventually helps her sort out her trust issues and even enhances her parenting skills.

It is refreshing to see CZJ back on the silver screen where she belongs, and playing a non-glamorous character for once, even sans makeup in some scenes. At 38 years old, that is a brave feat indeed (and this courage is consistent with all the flawed characters she likes to play).

Her on screen chemistry with Eckhart is positively sizzling, and his cockiness to her coolness effectively makes you forget about the trite plot. While Zeta-Jones has also been criticized for being too beautiful for the role of a lonely chef, that is actually one of the ironies of life that this movie uncovers: beauty and talent doesn't really guarantee bliss.

Despite the awful MTV-like montage of the trio grocery shopping and the rest of the unspectacular elements, overall, the movie makes you feel for the characters. You leave the cinema all warm and fuzzy, and that makes the execution of No Reservations a success.

This movie had all the potential and makings of a great feel good, great love story...the cast is perfect, the visuals work, the original premise works, the characters work....but the story moves from one chess move to the next in a most predictable way...not one character in the movie has any depth or has any depth explained by the director. All we know about Catherine Zeta-Jones character is she is obsessed with her world....nobody is allowed in and nobody challenges her world...that much is obvious....but the remaining characters all have their own dimensions that are really never explored or exposed....Aaron Eckhart's character had so much more to offer to the story but wasn't allowed, Abigail Breslin's character is so easy to understand that her performance comes across somewhat predictable and phony....in the end everything reverts back to the forced turbulent world of Catherine Zeta-Jones which the audience never totally falls for....honestly, her turbulent world is not much more than a portrayal of a selfish, self obsessed, spoiled lady who most people would not have much time or sympathy for in the real world. The director needed to make her a hero and never does....in the end, it is Eckhart's character that ultimately wins because he wins.

Not a lousy movie, just a movie that could have been a lot better with more depth of personalities allowed in, explained and exposed.

Cheers

Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a gourmet New York chef who's in mandatory therapy because her boss, restaurant owner Patricia Clarkson, thinks she's too structured and uptight. She's single and set in her ways, but when her sister dies and leaves her young daughter, Abigail Breslin, in her charge, her entire life turns upside down. Add in a radical new chef, Aaron Eckhart, in her kitchen, and she almost becomes completely unglued!

Catherine Zeta-Jones gives a surprisingly good performance in this comedy-dramedy. Usually, audiences are too stunned by her appearance to even bother noticing whether or not she can act, but in this one, they try very hard to downplay her looks so her acting can shine. She's still beautiful, but it's easy to see her frustration, loneliness, and tenderness. She's in a role that could easily be hammed up by a lazy actress so that the audience quickly gets that she feels out of her element, but Catherine plays it in a realistic way.

Abigail Breslin gives one of her best performances in No Reservations. She can cry at the drop of a hat, and when the script calls for her to be angry, hopeful, or cute, she easily complies. And, while I'm not a very big fan of the rest of the cast, Aaron Eckhart, Patricia Clarkson, and Lily Rabe, they're perfectly adequate in the roles they're given. Aaron is supposed to be at ease and full of himself, Patricia is supposed to be competent and in control, and Lily is supposed to be low-class and annoying.

If, by any chance, you've seen the original German film, Mostly Martha, you should be forewarned that No Reservations takes a very different tone. The romance is barely a plot point in the original, and it's much more of a drama. The American remake is lighter and more romantic.

Either director Scott Hicks or cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh chose a very interesting filming style. In every scene that is supposed to show Catherine's structure, the shots are framed through windows or with bars and lines in the background. While you might not notice the consistency at first, it's quite clever and adds to the feeling of relaxation when she finally lets her hair down. My one complaint in the film-besides my lack of enthusiasm for the romance-is the food shown in Catherine's kitchen. She's a perfectionist and a gourmet, but she's rarely shown preparing or discussing ornate dishes. In one scene, she's given the task of putting a sugar spun garnish on a dessert, something that would never be done by the head chef-and would be taken care of during the preparation hours before the restaurant's open, not during the dinner rush. Besides that, the script is pretty cute, and it's a great date movie to watch with someone you hope will become your sweetie pie.

Well, i must admit, when i saw the trailer for this movie, i was looking forward to it. I am generally a fan of light hearted romantic comedies and from the trailer, thats the impression i got of this movie. However, i spent most of the movie waiting for the comedy to begin. Although there were a couple of amusing scenes, in general the outlook of the movie was quite depressing.

I also found it difficult to fall in love with any of the characters as they all seemed a little underdeveloped, the time which the director could have used exploring the characters taken up by a needless overuse of Opera, making the movie feel dragged out and slow.

All in all, although there are some touching scenes, the trailer is quite deceptive and i would only suggest you go watch this if there is really nothing else that tickles your fancy.

Not fantastic, and as i have said before; Bland.