No Reservations (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 69

O Masterpiece (95-100)
O Excellent (75-94)
X Good video rental (60-74)
O Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don't watch (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / August 4, 2007

I must not be a very good pillow fighter: I never draw feathers. In the movies, however, every pillow fight yields feathers. Surely I’m doing something wrong. Let me know.

The pillow fight I’m referring to is just one of the pure pleasures to this soft, gentle movie. If you liked last year’s “The Lake House” with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, then I bet you’d appreciate “No Reservations.” Both movies are rated PG and are remarkably clean romances (clean meaning an absence of smut).

“No Reservations” isn’t as much of a romance as it is a drama, however. So, if you’re expecting a Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks romantic comedy, that’s not quite it. Beneath its typically sweet tone, “No Reservations” broods with complex issues that are authentic and believable. The primary issue lies with a strained relationship between a New York chef and a sad little girl.

Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the master chef at a fancy restaurant that is simply named after its address: “22 Bleecker.” Kate is somewhat rigid as a result of her pragmatic, self-inflicted rules. She runs a tight ship in the kitchen and keeps her love-life safely docked at the harbor.

But two events drastically change Kate and her world. (The following is not a spoiler.) Her sister dies in a car accident, which results in Kate’s becoming the guardian of her niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin, “Little Miss Sunshine”). The difficult adjustments between these two characters are the focus of the film (not the romance).

Up to this point, things are a little somber. Luckily, the fatal car crash happens off screen. But the movie needs color, and that’s where Nick (Aaron Eckhart) comes in. Kate’s restaurant hires Nick as a su-chef, which basically means an assistant chef who’s second in command. Nick is a joy to watch. He adds brightness to the film’s murky mood. As you can imagine, both Zoe and Nick complicate and enhance Kate’s life, compelling her to change.

“No Reservations” has two key problems that keep it from being excellent: First, the pace is too slow. The movie tends to mosey along, slowing down from time to time, from an already-lethargic pace. The second flaw compounds the first. Each scene is fine by itself, but they do not flow together as a unified whole.

But the film’s score is so good, it almost merits looking into purchasing the soundtrack. Philip Glass’ original music is lovely and quite complementary. In fact, I was impressed with all of the song selections and their arrangements.

It is worth noting that there is another chef movie still in theaters called “Ratatouille.” It’s the less dramatic, animated version of “No Reservations.” Both movies are worth seeing. I just hope this summer doesn’t become like that of 2005, where one penguin movie turned into multiple penguin movies. Perhaps the penguin activists and the culinary arts folks have connections in Hollywood.

All kidding aside, I can recommend “No Reservations.” It’s the perfect date movie, and it’s heartwarming. But if you’re one of those people who scoff at movies like “No Reservations” and “The Lake House,” then I challenge you to a pillow fight ... and feathers will fly.

Directed by Scott Hicks
Catherine Zeta-Jones / Aaron Eckhart / Abigail Breslin
103 min. Drama / Romance
MPAA: PG (for some sensuality and language)

Copyright 2007.
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