No Reservations (film)

No Reservations is a 2007 romantic comedy-drama helmed by director Scott Hicks and features performances by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, and Abigail Breslin. The screenplay, crafted by Carol Fuchs, is based on an original script by Sandra Nettelbeck, which served as the inspiration for the 2001 German movie Mostly Martha. The narrative centers on a disciplined chef whose life is transformed when she becomes guardian to her young niece following her sister’s untimely death. The supporting ensemble includes Patricia Clarkson, Bob Balaban, Jenny Wade, with early appearances by Brían F. O'Byrne, Lily Rabe, and Zoë Kravitz.

The film received a mixed critical reception, often described as "too predictable and melancholic for its genre." Released in the U.S. and Canada on July 27, 2007, No Reservations debuted with $12 million and ultimately earned over $43 million domestically, accumulating $92 million worldwide. Breslin’s performance garnered her a nomination for a Young Artist Award.

Plot

Kate Armstrong serves as the executive chef at the fashionable 22 Bleecker Street Restaurant located in Manhattan’s West Village. She runs her kitchen with meticulous speed and ensures every dish meets her exacting standards.

Kate’s stern demeanor intimidates those around her, including her manager Paula, who encourages Kate to attend therapy. She shuns praise but responds swiftly to any criticism.

Following the sudden death of Kate’s sister Christine in a car crash, Kate takes custody of her nine-year-old niece Zoe. Feeling overwhelmed, Paula hires Nick Palmer, an emerging culinary talent who opts to work under Kate’s leadership rather than pursue head chef roles elsewhere.

Tension rises in the kitchen as Kate feels uneasy about Nick’s contrasting approach—he listens to opera and uses humor to ease the atmosphere. Despite this, Kate finds herself drawn to Nick, whose upbeat presence positively affects both her team and Zoe, who forms a close bond with him.

Although Kate is reluctant to emotionally open up, a connection develops between her and Nick, fueled by their mutual love of cooking. Conflict emerges when Paula offers Nick the head chef position instead of Kate.

In the end, Kate lets down her guard and embraces a fresh start with Nick. The story concludes with Kate, Nick, and Zoe launching their own bistro together.

Production

The musical score was composed by Philip Glass, who also makes an appearance in the film’s concluding bistro scenes. The soundtrack incorporates operatic pieces alongside Liz Phair’s "Count On My Love". Filming occurred in New York throughout 2006 and 2007.

Box office

No Reservations earned $43.1 million across the United States and Canada, with an additional $49.5 million from international markets, bringing its global total to $92.6 million. During its opening weekend in North America, it generated $11.7 million from 2,425 theaters, securing fifth place at the box office.

Critical response

The film holds a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 160 reviews, averaging 5.3/10, summarized as "too predictable and melancholic for its genre." On Metacritic, it received a score of 50 out of 100 from 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average" feedback.

Matt Zoller Seitz of The New York Times commended its contemporary portrayal of balancing parenthood and career, describing it as "notable" for its sincere emotional nuances despite following typical romantic comedy conventions. Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times observed that the film emphasized culinary visuals more than character relationships, implying a greater passion for food than romance.

Carina Chocano of the Los Angeles Times criticized its depiction of love and personality traits as artificial and overly simplistic, calling it superficial and lacking depth. Todd McCarthy of Variety described it as "agreeably prepared" but emotionally diluted compared to the original German film Mostly Martha, noting that while warmly presented, it did not delve deeply into character complexities.

Awards and Recognition

Breslin earned a nomination for the Young Artist Award in the category of Best Performance in a Feature Film by a Leading Young Actress for her portrayal of Zoe.

See also

• List of American films of 2007
• Mostly Martha