I have Reservations about "No Reservations"
Written: Jul 22 '07
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Eckhart - he's endearing, and kind of a cross between Bon Jovi and Robin William
Cons: Zeta Jones - she's comfortable in the kitchen and the market, but otherwise distant
The Bottom Line: Zeta Jones needs to find a fine drama to really act in. In lighter films, she just plays her frosty, beautiful self.
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| quidrock's Full Review: No Reservations |
One of my pet peeves is how movie trailers, seen many times (if you go to the movies at least once a week, as I do) influence you to believe that a movie will be of one genre, when the real film is startlingly unlike what the trailer portrays. Such is the new film, "No Reservations", which opens widely next week, starring Catherine Zeta Jones. The trailer portrays a sophisticated romantic comedy and focuses on the romance and the high anxiety of chef Kate, the kitchen terror of the restaurant "22 Bleeker St". Moviegoers expect to see the beautiful Zeta Jones act like Gordon Ramsay of TV's "Hell's Kitchen", only to be tamed by fellow chef Nick Palmer (Aaron Eckhart).
In reality, the film, which I screened this weekend, is more of a sad family film of loss and redemption, with some light comedic touches. And while I did enjoy it at the theater, overall, it is a forgettable movie.
A remake of the German "Mostly Martha", the film has executive chef Kate anticipating a visit from her sister and niece, when the sister is killed in a traffic accident. Niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin, the moppet from "Little Miss Sunshine") survives the crash and is brought to live in Kate's somewhat ascetic existence. She is overwhelmingly sad and disconnected from her new life.
While trying to juggle sudden motherhood with career, Kate is forced to put up with a newly hired sous chef, Nick. Nick brightens the kitchen with his costumes, his love of all things Italian, his opera, his willingness to put up with sulky Kate. It is Nick who bonds quickly with Zoe, and acts as a catalyst between the two ladies. What saves "No Reservations" is the insouciance of Eckhart's character, and his chemistry with Breslin. But for a sizeable portion of the film, the prevailing feeling is sadness, for the plight of young Zoe and the cold containment of Kate in dealing with the situation.
There's a subplot that features the delightful Bob Balaban as Kate's therapist. Kate's more of a cold machine in the kitchen, instead of the stock volatile chef, so it is hard to understand why the owner of 22 Bleeker St. insisted she get therapy. Nevertheless, Balaban, a staple in Christopher Guest comedies, provides some light moments. Unfortunately, Zeta Jones plays her character frosty, cool, and with little ability to empathize with the plight of Zoe. Even her apologies, when she forgets to pick Zoe up at school, etc., seem forced.
And it is this character vacuum that causes the movie to be something less than it might have been. With some spark and volatility, combined with the slickness of Kate's kitchen, the endearing qualities of both Zoe and Nick, the film could have been a winner. Let's say, with Kyra Sedgewick, in the Kate role, the film would have been
far more engaging. Zeta Jones continues her reign as one of the screen's most beautiful leading ladies, and we know she has depth (proving it as Velma in "Chicago" and with her cameo in "Traffic"), but this genre of films doesn't bring it out, and she is ultimately responsible for the movie being one where I would recommend:
"Wait for the DVD"
quidrock
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Sneak Preview at My Local Theater
Film Completeness: A few glitches, but mostly complete.
Worst Part of this Film: Cast
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Epinions.com ID:
quidrock
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Member: Lynne Quido
Reviews written: 215
Trusted by: 47 members
About Me:
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