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No Reservations

You know, like in life and in a restaurant, cute

By Matt Pais, Metromix

July 27, 2007

Critic's Rating:

Aaron Eckhart and Catherine Zeta-Jones as rival chefs in "No Reservations." (Credit: Warner Bros.)

No Reservations

Running time:: 104 minutes

Rated:: PG

Cast:

Catherine Zeta-Jones -

Kate Armstrong

Aaron Eckhart -

Nick Palmer

Abigail Breslin -

Zoe

Patricia Clarkson -

Paula

Jenny Wade -

Leah

See full cast

Director:: Scott Hicks

Genre:: Drama, Romance

Official Movie Web Site:: http://noreservationsmovie.warnerbros.com/

Overall User Rating:: (0 ratings)

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Feisty chef Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) cares for her niece Zoe ("Little Miss Sunshine" Oscar-nominee Abigail Breslin) after the girl's mother is killed. At work, Kate clashes/flirts with the new sous chef Nick (Aaron Eckhart).

Big question: Is this remake of the German film "Mostly Martha" better than Kate Hudson's similarly plotted "Raising Helen," which, coincidentally, also starred Breslin?

Catch it: Breslin, that little thief, steals another average movie from her elders, with eyes that exude immense joy as well as skepticism that all but mutters, "You must be joking." Thankfully, Eckhart's more charm than smarm.

Skip it: If you've already seen the feast for the senses that is "Ratatouille," your foodie-flick palate has been raised to an unfair level. "No Reservations" is a mere skirt steak to Pixar's filet mignon.

Bottom line: Likable without pushing its luck, "No Reservations" feels like the old-standby restaurant that you don't mind frequenting. The ingredients aren't the freshest, but the entrées go down easy.

Bonus: Kate claims that, "There's no greater sin than to overcook a quail." So feel free to do whatever you want all the time, as long as you don't burn the bird!