Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the master chef at the upscale New York Restaurant, 22 Bleecker. Her life revolves around food. She hasn’t been in a personal relationship for years and even dreads communicating with co-workers and customers at the restaurant. Her attitude is so dismal that her boss Paula (Patricia Clarkson) has ordered her to go to see a therapist (Bob Balaban). Shortly after the film begins, Kate is awaiting the arrival of her sister Christine and young niece Zoë (Abigail Breslin), when tragedy strikes. Just minutes before arriving, Christine is killed in a car accident, leaving Zoë in Kate’s care.
Here No Reservations becomes paint-by-the-numbers romantic comedy. During Kate’s bereavement leave–where she begins to bond with the doe eyed Zoë–Paula hires a an opera loving sous chef named Nick (Aaron Eckhart) who looks an awful lot like Gerard Depardieu, enjoys life and hits it off with the kitchen staff. Though Kate is initially unimpressed with the new intruder in her kitchen, Zoë and he become fast friends. Predictably Kate begins a transformation from ice queen to quasi-romantic.
No Reservations is a light hearted romantic drama. Though the emotional ramifications of Zoe’s mother’s death are briefly examined and we are given brief glimpses as to why Kate is a total control freak, those issues are not the focus of the film. Presumably both Zeta-Jones and Eckhart didn’t have to flex their acting muscles too hard to deliver performances for No Reservations. Catherine Zeta-Jones, who has always seemed a bit cold and hard around the edges, seems comfortable playing Kate. It felt like Aaron Eckhart was playing an over the top version of himself. Abigail Breslin… well she’s just plain cute and always ready with a witty line. Patricia Clarkson and Bob Balaban are a welcome edition to any film.
From Kate’s signature dish of tender quail in truffle sauce to pizza on the living room floor, food plays a major role in No Reservations. Kate judges herself by the response to her creations; she prepares food for her psychiatrist. Meals are lovingly prepared and presented. I could taste every dish as it appeared.
No Reservations leaves behind some of the sadness and charm present in Mostly Martha, in favor of a lighter romantic tone. However, No Reservations has a sweet quality that makes the film a good choice for a rainy Saturday night.
The DVD contains both the widescreen and full screen versions of No Reservations. The picture is sharp and clear. The audio is presented in Dolby digital 5.1 and is crisp and clear.
The only special feature is an episode of The Food Network’s Unwrapped, hosted by Marc Summers; He talks to No Reservations stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart. Chef Michael White talks about preparing the actors for their roles; Eckhart even shows off a few of his newfound cooking skills.
