The cast is much stronger than the story line. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Kate, a top NYC chef running the kitchen at one of those trendy little corner restaurants Manhattan’s known for. Kate’s a bit high-strung, doesn’t take criticism well, and definitely isn’t a people person. She goes to a shrink (Bob Balaban) because it’s a requirement for her continued employment, but she doesn’t really talk to him about herself, just about cooking.
She’s not at all the right person to raise a child, but when her sister is killed in a car accident on the way for a visit, Kate’s the only one available to take on her niece, Zoe. Zoe’s played by Abigail Breslin, who has the vulnerable kid look down pat.
Of course, Kate has to take some time off to get Zoe settled in, and while she’s away, the restaurant owner (Patricia Clarkson, doing a great job in a small but pivotal role) hires a new sous chef to help out. His name is Nick (Aaron Eckhart), and he’s got all sorts of problems from Kate’s point of view: he’s friendly, the kitchen staff likes him, he plays opera music in the kitchen, his specialty is Italian, and, worst of all, he’s really good. Will Nick steal Kate’s kitchen from her? Will he win Zoe’s affection? Will he win Kate? Will he find out the secret to her saffron sauce?
You can probably guess the answer every one of those questions, but the predictability of No Reservations doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to watch. It’s perfect curl-up-on-the-couch fare. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of food and wine handy, because much of the action takes place in various kitchens, and you will get hungry. And, as a bonus, you’ll also get to listen to lots of gorgeous opera arias.
The disc includes both widescreen and full-screen options. There’s one special feature; the Food Network’s “Unwrapped” series did an episode that’s a No Reservations making-of, and it’s on here. (It’s hosted by Marc Summers; when did he stop getting slimed on Nickelodeon???) Among other things, you’ll get to meet the chefs who taught Zeta-Jones, Eckhart and Breslin their way around a kitchen.
Audio and subtitle options are English, French and Spanish, all in Dolby Surround 5.1.
While it’s clear that none of the cast members had to stretch much at all, they all turn in perfectly fine performances. It would probably help things if the Kate character weren’t so hard to like, but that’s not Zeta-Jones’ fault. Watching No Reservations is an enjoyable enough way to spend an evening.