KEY POINTS:
This is the Americanised version of the 2002 German film Mostly Martha, a romantic comedy with a dramatic edge about a perfectionist chef whose life gets turned upside down by a 9-year-old girl and a fun-loving chef. This version, directed by Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars) doesn't stray far from the original and is slightly more palatable than the average Hollywood romantic comedy.
Kate Armstrong (Zeta-Jones) is a controlling and pedantic master chef at smart Manhattan restaurant 22 Bleecker. She works extremely hard, is single, runs her kitchen with military precision, doesn't take kindly to customers who criticise her food - and surprisingly, is not in therapy.
Her predictable life takes an unpredictable turn when her young orphaned niece Zoe (Breslin) comes to live with her, while her boss Paula (Clarkson) hires exuberant sous-chef Nick (Eckhart) without Kate's approval.
She doesn't really know how to handle either addition to her life, and although she and Nick have very different approaches to pretty much everything he becomes pivotal in helping her connect with her niece, and realise there is more to life than the perfect truffle dressing. Abigail Breslin proved she's a star in the making in Little Miss Sunshine and here she puts in another engaging performance. There is an air of unpredictability about her, and regardless of whether it's comedy or drama, her performance has an unforced and natural air.
Catherine Zeta-Jones is well suited to the role of perfectionist, although her accent is hard to pinpoint. The film does hint at hidden complexities within her character, but Zeta-Jones - much like her character - doesn't dwell on them. But then, it is a romantic comedy after all.
Aside from Erin Brockovich, Aaron Eckhart isn't your average romantic lead. The star of irreverent films such as Thank You for Smoking and In The Company of Men, he's played his fair share of unusual characters. Aside from the food, he's the most delicious thing in this film - from a purely chick-flick fan perspective - but fans of his indie films may be appalled.
Yes, it's predictable - you've most likely already worked out the ending - but it does have a few sweet and sad moments. If it's an instant comfort you're after rather than five-course entertainment, No Reservations should satisfy your appetite.
Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Patricia Clarkson
Director: Scott Hicks
Running Time: 100 mins
Rating: PG, low level offensive language
Screening: SkyCity, Hoyts, Berkeley Cinemas
Verdict: Avoid if you have seen the German original, but a pleasant, instantly forgettable way to fill 100 minutes.