No Reservations - A Movie Review

What’s on the menu for tonight? Don’t tell me that you’re not a dessert person!

No Reservations is a 2007 film about the life of a top chef working her dream job. Everything changes when her sister dies and she gets custody of her young niece. Learning to adapt to both worlds, a new chef arrives in the kitchen at her restaurant.

Films about cooking have always been my favorite. I don’t know what it is, but something about the subject always draws me in. No Reservations is an entertaining film. Aside from its moral about family, it also talks about how important it is to explore your career, to make changes.

In preparation for her role, Catherine Zeta-Jones worked as a server for one evening in a restaurant in New York. Kate is a stubborn, but resilient woman who goes after her career. Little does she know how she is avoiding life just to be the best in her career. It takes time to work on her relationship with her niece (Breslin). I like how the film gradually invests in their interactions as Kate steps away from cooking to be in a role that opens her world.

Abigail Breslin is fantastic as Zoe. Adjusting to life with her aunt is difficult. Breslin explored her emotions very well. Jones and Breslin did a great job with their scenes, along with interactions that slowly make them connect.

Nicholas Palmer arriver into Kate’s life at just the right time. Or in Kate’s eyes, she believes he is only trying to take her career. I have no seen many films with Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart was fantastic, and I love the angle in which he brought to the film. Nick opens Kate up, helping her see a new side of life that she was too stubborn to seek and manifesting an unexpected relationship.

The ensemble of No Reservations was my favorite part of the film. Employers of the restaurant were each given moments to shine, and actually given a character. A shoutout goes to all the actors who made wonderful comedic moments as they worked in the kitchen.

An aspect of Patricia Clarkson’s role that I liked as the owner of the restaurant examined the boss’s role in any industry. Whether they’re trying to stand out or to make sure that everything is taken care of, which includes looking after her employees, Clarkson does both. She had a great approach to the role.

Reaching out and seeking help is essential. The therapy scenes were uplifting. Bob Balaban deserves more recognition for his role as the therapist. He lets Kate open up in her own time, but continues to help give advice. It’s okay to let people in.

Scott Hicks directed a meaningful film. I like the use of camera angles which focused on one location or a person to get a sense of the feeling in the scene. He worked very well with the cast, especially Jones and Breslin. Their relationship is the core of the film. Hicks beautifully captured delicious meals and savoring recipes that I would like to try out now.

No Reservations is a film for people who feel that something is missing. Don’t just keep working to avoid fixing problems. Work is only a little part of life. Have fun. Make connections. And most important, expand on your career and don’t stay in the same place.

I greatly recommend that you watch No Reservations. The acting is wonderful. Overall the message is endearing and it explores a needed lesson that all generations and age groups should learn about. This movie has heart.