No Reservations (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| No Reservations | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster for No Reservations |
|
| Directed by | Scott Hicks |
| Produced by | Kerry Heysen Sergio Aguero |
| Written by | Sandra Nettelbeck (original script) Carol Fuchs (screenplay) |
| Starring | Catherine Zeta-Jones Aaron Eckhart Abigail Breslin Patricia Clarkson Jenny Wade Bob Balaban Brian F. O'Byrne Lily Rabe Eric Silver |
| Music by | Philip Glass |
| Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
| Editing by | Pip Karmel |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | July 27, 2007 |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $28,000,000 USD |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
No Reservations is a 2007 family drama from Warner Bros. Pictures, directed by Scott Hicks, from a screenplay by Carol Fuchs based on an original script by Sandra Nettelbeck. A remake of the German film Mostly Martha (Ger. title Bella Martha, directed by Nettelbeck), the American version stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart as a pair of chefs, and Abigail Breslin. An episode of Food Network's Unwrapped, which first aired on July 26, 2007, went behind-the-scenes of this movie.[1]
No Reservations was released in North America by Warner Bros. on July 27, 2007.[2]
Taglines
Contents |
[edit] Plot
A master chef, Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) lives her life like she runs the kitchen at upscale 22 Bleecker Restaurant in Manhattan—with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. With breathtaking precision, she powers through each hectic shift, coordinating hundreds of meals, preparing delicate sauces, seasoning and simmering each dish to absolute perfection. More at ease behind the scenes, she only leaves the sanctuary of her kitchen to accept compliments for one of her signature dishes, or, on rare occasions, to tangle with a customer who dares question her expertise. After work, most nights find her in bed before midnight, set to rise at dawn to beat her competition to the fish market for the next day's freshest selections.
Kate's perfectionist nature is put to the test when a brash new sous-chef joins her staff, the high-spirited and freewheeling Nick (Aaron Eckhart). A rising culinary star himself, Nick favors opera while working and loves to make everyone around him laugh. His casual approach to both life and cuisine couldn't be more different from Kate's, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable... as is the discord, like forks clanging off a granite countertop. It might be easier to deal with this turbulence at work if Kate wasn't already off-balance at home, struggling to connect with her nine-year-old niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin), who has recently—and very unexpectedly—come to live with her. A bright, perceptive child, more comfortable with fish sticks than foie gras, Zoe is clearly out of place in Kate's routine but Kate is determined to make a home for her... just as soon as she figures out how. As the weeks progress, Kate is not sure what steams her more—that Nick's talent scores big points with 22 Bleecker's owner, Paula (Patricia Clarkson), and its discriminating clientèle, or that his easygoing charm quickly wins over the shy Zoe, who finds it easier to open up to him than to her aunt.
But when he challenges the boundary between rivalry and romance, Kate finds herself questioning, for the first time in years, some of the choices and beliefs that have made her so self-sufficient and so safe. If she wants to forge a real bond with Zoe, find happiness with Nick and rediscover her appetite for life, Kate will have to try something bold and new, and learn to express herself outside the realm of her kitchen. That would be like trying to cook without a recipe. But, as Kate discovers, sometimes the best recipes are the ones you create yourself.
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Catherine Zeta-Jones | Kate Armstrong |
| Aaron Eckhart | Nick Palmer |
| Abigail Breslin | Zoe |
| Patricia Clarkson | Paula |
| Jenny Wade | Leah |
| Bob Balaban | Therapist |
| Brían F. O'Byrne | Sean |
| Lily Rabe | Bernadette |
| Eric Silver | John |
[edit] Reaction
[edit] Box office performance
No Reservations was released on 27 July 2007 in 2,425 theaters across the US. It grossed $11,704,357 on its opening weekend making it the 5th highest grossing film that weekend. During its run in theaters, the film grossed $43,052,274 (46.6%) in the US and $49,493,071 (53.4%) overseas for a worldwide total of $92,601,050. The film closed on 15 November 2007, having spent three weeks in the Top 10.
[edit] Awards and critical reception
No Reservations was nominated for a Young Artist Award in the category of Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress for Abigail Breslin's performance as Zoe.
Critical reception to the film ranged from benign to sour. According to Rotten Tomatoes, an aggregate of reviews from published critics showed just 35% reviewed it favorably.[3] The favorable reviewers felt the film was 'enjoyable' if not memorable, while the dissenting reviewers found it 'plodding' and predictable.
