I often go overboard, I have been told.
Which is why, after weeks of no theater-visit, I saw two flicks last weekend.
The first was this riotous Indo-American comedy that left me in splits.
The second was No Reservations, which I must say without any reservations, tugged at my heartstrings. Oh well, quite a few times.
Catherine Zeta Jones is in top form after a two-year sabbatical. She plays Kate Armstrong, a standoffish, work-obsessed chef in Manhattan, whose regimented life is utterly thrown into disarray upon the death of her sister, leaving her in custody of her niece, Zoe (Abigail Breslin), last seen in a splendid performance in Little Miss Sunshine.
Jones is caught in a crisis – what with her 9-year old niece who will touch none of the exotic meals she whips up, a restaurant owner, Paula (Patricia Clarkson) who insists that she go for weekly visits to an octogenarian shrink (Bob Belaban), and a maverick “rival chef” , Nick (Aaron Eckhart) who insists on playing opera in the kitchen. It is small wonder that she (Jones) gives way to the occasional outburst with a customer who complains about her less then perfect foie gras or steak, and she is fit to throw the pretty toque that she has donned on her pretty head throughout the movie.
Aaron Eckhart disappoints though. As the Good Samaritan who is totally smitten by both Jones’ culinary skills, and erm… ______ skills, he paints too good a picture. Seen last year as another Nick – a hard-nosed tobacco lobbyist in Thank You for Smoking, who will stop at nothing to increase smoking amongst the public, Eckhart is unconvincing as the do-gooder, who will continue with his good act, despite Jones barbs.
The movie has its pluses though. For a self-confessed foodie like me, it was a veritable delight. Tantalizing, sumptuous feasts are elaborately arranged on immaculate tables, akin to a Sidney Sheldon description, causing my tummy to rumble, grumble, and growl throughout the movie. Too bad that I had to contend with coffee and corn while arrays of delectable pies, appetizers, aperitifs, and finger foods constantly made their appearance.
All in all, however, the movie was decent.
Not recommended for those who like mush though…
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