No Reservations

“No Reservations,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart, is an adaptation of the German movie “Mostly Martha.” While neither movie breaks new ground in terms of plot, “No Reservations” has an appealing cast and is a feast for the eyes. Kate, (Zeta-Jones), the executive chef in a popular Manhattan restaurant, is a woman who has no life other than her cooking. And she doesn’t even take pleasure in cooking. For Kate, the perfection of the product is everything. When Kate’s sister is killed in a car accident, Kate’s life is no longer the predictable recipe she prefers and she must address the needs of her grieving niece (Abigail Breslin).And to add insult to injury, she must also cope with a new sous chef (Eckhart), a boisterous, self-taught chef whose specialty is Italian cooking. Of course, this is a boy meets girl, boy gets and then loses girl and then gets her again story – with an orphaned niece thrown into the predictable mix. Nonetheless, “No Reservations” is enjoyable and satisfying. (7/29/07)