"You bring in a sous chef from an Italian restaurant and I'm the one in therapy?"

No Reservations

2007; USA; 104 min.

Director: Scott Hicks

Screenplay: Carol Fuchs, Sandra Nettelback

Music: Philip Glass

Cast:

Kate - Catherine Zeta-Jones

Nick - Aaron Eckhart

Zoe - Abigail Breslin

Paula - Patricia Clarkson

Leah - Jenny Wade

Therapist - Bob Balaban

All I can say is that "No Reservations" is now one of my favorite movies ever. I've been meaning to see this movie forever, and I'm so glad that I did! I absolutely love everything about this film! "No Reservations" is the story of Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones), an obsessive complusive chef, whose life consists of solely cooking for the restaurant she works at, 22 Bleecker. When Kate becomes the guardian for her niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin), her life changes forever. Kate, unaccustomed to interacting with children, has to learn to care for Zoe, and become a maternal figure. Kate's life becomes a total mess when Nick (Aaron Eckhart) enters her kitchen at 22 Bleecker as a sous chef. The plot follows Kate and Zoe, as they try to adjust to their new lifestyles.

Everything in the film was just perfect. Parts of the film were sad and emotional, parts of the film were humorous, and other parts of the film were very sentimental and touching. The heartwarming story had me captivated from the very beginning. I absolutely loved the romantic aspect of this film - it was simply amazing and breathtaking. (Ok, so I'm a hopeless romantic!) The scenery in the film was gorgeous - featuring NYC in February. I could, and I plan to, see this film over and over again. Here are some of my favorite scenes:

This scene takes place when Nick comes over to Kate and Zoe's apartment to cook dinner for them. Zoe's wish finally comes true, and the three of them eat "in the jungle." Zoe and the adults pretend that they are on a safari adventure. After dinner, the triad plays pick-up sticks with breadsticks. This scene is one of the moments where Kate finally begins to let loose, and where we see her character begin to develop and change.

When Kate realizes that she cannot leave Zoe home alone at night while she is at work, Kate decides to bring her along to 22 Bleecker. Zoe begins to learn how to cook with Kate. What makes this extremely sweet is that Kate learned to cook from her mother, and now Zoe is learning to cook from her new maternal figure.

Overall, this movie was simply amazing! I absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone, especially romantic comedy lovers!

iRate: 5/5 saffron sauces
Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi295567641/