The compulsive nature of perfectionism frequently drives colleagues and friends to the edge. Such is the case for Kate, the executive chef at an upscale restaurant in Manhattan, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago, Ocean's Twelve) in the new film No Reservations.
As a culinary artist of the highest caliber, Kate leaves most of her clientele savoring memories of her entrees between visits to her restaurant, 22 Bleeker. Yet with just the slightest criticism of her cooking, she goes Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde on them, leaving restaurant owner Paula, played by Patricia Clarkson (Far From Heaven, Good Night, and Good Luck) , no choice but to send Kate to therapy.
In the midst of Kate's attempts at self-improvement, her sister is killed in an auto accident, and she is left as the guardian of her nine-year-old niece Zoe, played by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Signs) .
As Kate tries to fulfill her new motherly role while mourning the loss of her sister, her skills and position are challenged when Paula hires a new sous chef, Nick, played by Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking) , to take care of things in her absence. Nick is an irregular renaissance chef, who is as passionate about his life as he is with his pasta fagioli. But could this rivalry soon lead to romantic attraction?
The film is part comedy, part drama, and part romance, and Director Scott Hicks (Shine, Hearts in Atlantis) provides a wonderful American twist to the German original (Mostly Martha) . Like a good family recipe, No Reservations has all the right ingredients.
Catherine Zeta-Jones melts into this role as Kate, and Aaron Eckhart equally disappears behind his blond stylized bangs and kitchen opera-singing performances. Cooking is about chemistry, and there certainly is a fair share of that in the Zeta-Jones and Eckhart pairing.
In a strong supporting role, the young Oscar-nominated Abigail Breslin delivers an astounding on-screen presence that complements the two, bringing more than a couple of chuckles through the course of the film.
There's something about the "feel-good" sensation that is missing from most films today. It is almost as if filmmakers feel guilty if a film is too rosy. Hicks and cast bring it back with flying colors in No Reservations.
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