It’s been a few years since Catherine Zeta-Jones (“The Legend of Zorro”) has starred in a film. Her return here is in a romantic drama that builds on America‘s newly awakened fascination with chefs and gourmet cooking.
Zeta-Jones is Kate, the head chef of the restaurant 22 Bleecker, and she rules her kitchen with a careful and measured hand. A twist of fate leaves her niece on her doorstep with her as the child’s guardian as a new sous-chef, Nick (Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You For Smoking”), arrives in her kitchen. His spontaneity brings fun and music to the kitchen, causing the two to butt heads immediately as Kate feels her life is slipping out of her vigilant control.
While Zeta-Jones brings class and bravado to her role as the overbearing and egotistical chef, she also feels overly distant. It takes some time for her to relate to her mourning niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin, “Little Miss Sunshine”), while Nick has a much more effortless and immediate relationship with the child. Zeta-Jones keeps her emotional wall up a little too long, and it made me care less about her character than about what happens to Zoe or Nick.
Kate Hudson in “Raising Helen” was easier to relate to than Zeta-Jones’ Kate, making for a better similarly themed film. When Zeta-Jones’ character finally does loosen up, she practically sparkles, but it’s a little too late for you to really connect with her.
Eckhart’s character as the crazy but talented sous-chef who has a professional and personal affection for Kate is the buoyant energy in the film. Waiting to see what he will do next gives the story a greater sense of anticipation than how Kate will react to it. Breslin also puts in a strong performance as the troubled child looking to reconnect with someone who won’t leave her.
Zeta-Jones is a capable actress who portrays an unattainable and cold woman very well, but her character, while realistic, is not loveable, and it makes for a difficult pairing with Eckhart‘s character. The film seems long in trying to explain how these two could work together, which ultimately feels forced based upon how far apart their personalities start.
“No Reservations” will maintain your interest, but it doesn’t have the heat and intensity the best romances should have. Rate PG for some sensuality and language.
