The 21st century chick flick has become as rigidly programmed as a Western, or maybe a religious ceremony. We know exactly what’s going to happen, exactly when it’s going to happen. These movies do everything but flash a message saying “Get out your handkerchiefs” at key moments.
That’s why an offbeat picture like “Waitress” is so welcome. But here comes another serving of formula: “No Reservations” is a numbingly familiar movie, hitting all the beats at all the expected times.
The sense of deja vu is increased because this is a remake of a charming German film from 2001, “Mostly Martha,” directed by Sandra Nettelbeck. That film had a simple idea, carried over here: A fussy, self-centered chef is thawed out when she adopts her sister’s daughter, following the sister’s death.
In “No Reservations,” the chef is no longer named Martha, but Kate. I guess Martha is too old-fashioned a name for a successful, sophisticated Manhattan character, whereas Kate is an all-American, take-charge kind of name.
Kate is played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose performance is deliberately stand-offish. After she adopts the kid (“Little Miss Sunshine” Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin), she also warms up, slowly, to the new sous-chef (Aaron Eckhart) in her kitchen.
Eckhart’s character is the kind of male paragon that flourishes in movies like this. (It’s as though Eckhart is atoning for his vicious, star-making performance in “In the Company of Men.”) Funny, compassionate, generous, he’s full of joie de vivre. When the child falls asleep after dinner, he carries her to bed. Given a chance to kiss Kate after their first quasi-date, he declines.
I hate him.
But the movie loves him, and so, eventually, does Kate. This is one of those movies that punishes the female heroine for being proud and focused and committed to her gifts – the kinds of qualities we value in men.
The film is impeccably, if frostily, directed by Scott Hicks, the Aussie best known for “Shine.” The score by Philip Glass adds a bit of dignity to the proceedings (at least the music doesn’t yank your heartstrings).
One thing Hicks seriously flubs: photographing Catherine Zeta-Jones. If you’re going to make this kind of movie, you should take care of your leading lady; instead, Hicks takes a raw, over-lit approach that does a disservice to Zeta-Jones and the fairy-tale nature of the story.
Am I being too tough on a cuddly fable? Probably. The preview audience loved it. But there’s something way too easy about this movie.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart star in “No Reservations.”
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