"No Reservations" features a subtle European sensibility with beautiful images and pacing, which works in its favour within the first half, particularly with its likeable lead actors and plot set-up. However, the film meanders along aimlessly to a ho-hum climax within the second half as a result of weak scripting and dramatic direction.
The first half of "No Reservations" includes a subtle, emotional and intellectual style that is certainly very refreshing for a 'Hollywood' film. You'll find moments of genuine emotion as Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) becomes the guardian of her niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin) just after her mother, and Kate's sister, dies in a terrible car or truck accident. Watching control-freak Kate lose her sense of self-control whilst attempting to retain her schedule as head chef at a favorite restaurant is exquisitely handled by director Scott Hicks, as is the efficiency of Breslin as Zoe who proves to be a superb child actor. Kate's life modifications more when to bring up the slack in the restaurant, her boss hires a co-head chef in Nick (Aaron Eckhart), who is for all intents and purposes the precise opposite to Kate when it comes to character and temperament. Seeing this as encroaching on her turf, Kate opposes Nick at every single turn, turning into additional frustrated although simultaneously not performing a fantastic job as Zoe's guardian. Eventually, Nick helps both Kate and Zoe to obtain back on their feet with his charm and superior nature. "No Reservations" will not set out to become anything grandiose, nor need to it as its subtle approach is pretty pleasing to watch. Director Scott Hicks coaxes some exceptional performances out of his cast, and he also composes some lovely and wealthy pictures which can be elegantly edited with each other. "No Reservations" is a good film, using a properly executed initial half.
The film however starts to fall apart in the second half, thanks largely to what looks like indecisiveness on the element with the writers and director with regards to where the story really should go. The film begins to meander aimlessly devoid of supplying any kind of true climax apart from the obligatory pleased ending. Tensions and conflict that arise inside the initial half or not resolved; the B-story with Kate's amorous neighbour, or her fight with her boss at the restaurant when Kate has Nick removed from the kitchen permanently. There's also a "Child Services" angle where Kate is threatened to have Zoe taken away from her if she doesn't cease taking her to the restaurant every night that is certainly in no way resolved. The film leads you in to thinking that the story will bring these conflicts to a head at some point in the second half but practically nothing materialises, leaving a film that does not end up going anywhere aside from the obligatory, and pretty arbitrary happy ending where anyone lives happily ever after. Because of this, you leave this film questioning when you truly skilled something in any way in the lives of these characters and their 'story'.
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