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Have you ever been in a restaurant with a great reputation and, when the food came, were a little disappointed? It’s not that the food was bad; it’s pretty good actually. But it wasn’t what you were expecting nor was it special.
There’s really nothing wrong with "No Reservations," based on the German film "Bella Martha." The acting, writing and directing are fine, but with a cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones and Abigail Breslin and a director like Scott Hicks ("Shine") you hope it’s special.
And it’s not.
Zeta-Jones is Kate, one of the best chefs in New York. Kate is not exactly a tyrant in her restaurant’s kitchen, but she treats her staff like a recipe where everything must be just so. Kate’s ordered life is thrown a curveball when her sister dies and she must take care of her niece, Zoe (Breslin). Then Kate must deal with another intrusion: Nick (Aaron Eckhart), who has been hired to take up the slack while Kate adjusts to Zoe. Nick, to Kate’s chagrin, pays as much attention to the staff as he does his recipes.
I wasn’t quite prepared for the subtlety of Zeta-Jones’ performance. She really is good in "No Reservations." In fact, so are Breslin and Eckhart, who play their characters as fully realized human beings.
I hate to compare movies in reviews, as I think it’s cheating. Yet, there are two that scream to be mentioned: "Waitress" and "Music and Lyrics." "Waitress" because it takes place in a restaurant, albeit a much funkier one, and "Music and Lyrics" because it is one of the best romantic comedies in several years.
"No Reservations" is being sold as a romantic comedy, although it is more of a drama/comedy with tendencies toward the former. "No Reservations" does not use a food-as-life metaphor as well as "Waitress" and it is not as funny nor as romantic as "Music and Lyrics."
What it is is a pretty nice evening at the movies for those tired of the big-ticket items being thrown out there this summer. It certainly has its share of laughs and tears, but it seems to be holding back — a little like Kate in the beginning. You do get the feeling all those involved are afraid to cut loose.
"No Reservations" is certainly not a waste of time, but I’m not sure that’s what the filmmakers were shooting for.
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No Reservations
PG
Two-and-a-half reels out of four
Opens in area theaters tomorrow
Home Theater
Are We Done Yet?
PG
Available Tuesday
This sequel to 2005’s "Are We There Yet?" picks up as Nick, Suzanne, Lindsey and Kevin move to the suburbs in the pursuit of a better life.
Renovations turn out to be trouble, however, as Nick (Ice Cube) clashes with the quirky contractor (John C. McGinley) who bonds with Suzanne (Nia Long) and the kids (Aleisha Allen and Philip Bolden). Nick also has to deal with his pregnant wife, as well as a raccoon who refuses to be caught.
Movie schedules until August 2 unless otherwise indicated. Call theaters for updates.
SOUTH PHILLY
United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219
I Know Who Killed Me (R)Fri.-Thu.: 11:10 a.m., 1:45, 4:35, 7:35, 10:10The Simpsons Movie (PG-13) Thu.: 11:59 Fri.-Sun.: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12, 12:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9:30, 10, 10:30 Mon.-Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 12, 12:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9:30, 10, 10:30No Reservations (PG)Fri.-Thu.: 11:40 a.m., 2:20, 5:10, 7:45, 10:20Who’s Your Caddy? (PG-13)Fri.-Sun.: 9:50 a.m., 12:20, 2:45, 5:15, 7:55, 10:15Mon.-Thu.: 12:20, 2:45, 5:15, 7:55, 10:15Hairspray (PG)Thu.: 11:10 a.m., 1, 2, 3:45, 4:40, 6:45, 7:35, 9:35, 10:30Fri.-Sun.: 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:45, 1:30, 3:45, 4:40, 6:45, 7:40, 9:35, 10:40Mon.-Thu.: 12:45, 1:30, 3:45, 4:40, 6:45, 7:40, 9:35, 10:40I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (PG-13)Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 1:25, 2:15, 4:15, 5, 6:55, 7:45, 9:45, 10:30Fri.-Sat.: 10:25 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:25, 2:10, 4:15, 4:50, 6:55, 7:50, 9:40, 10:45Sun.-Thu.: 11:20 a.m., 1:25, 2:10, 4:15, 4:50, 6:55, 7:50, 9:40, 10:45Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (PG-13)Thu.: 11 a.m., 12:10, 12:40, 1:10, 1:40, 2:10, 3:20, 3:50, 4:20, 4:50, 5:20, 6:30, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9:40, 10:40Fri.-Thu.: 9:35 a.m., 12:40, 1:10, 3:50, 4:20, 7:25, 10:35Mon.-Thu.: 12:40, 1:10, 3:50, 4:20, 7:25, 10:35Talk to Me (R)Thu.: 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 10:05Fri.-Sun.: 10:05 a.m., 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 9:55Mon.-Thu.: 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 9:55Transformers (PG-13)Thu.: 12:15, 1:20, 3:30, 4:30, 6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 9:50, 10:20, 10:50Fri.-Thu.: 12:15, 3:30, 6:40, 7:20, 9:50, 10:25Ratatouille (G)Thu.: 1:15, 4:10, 7:15, 10Fri.-Thu.: 11 a.m., 1:40, 4:25, 7:10, 9:45Live Free or Die Hard (PG-13)Thu.: 12:30, 3:40, 7:20, 10:25Fri.-Sun.: 10:10, 1, 4, 7:15, 10:05Mon.-Thu.: 1, 4, 7:15, 10:051408 (PG-13)Thu.: 12:35, 3:10, 5:40, 8:05, 10:35Fri.-Thu.: 12:35, 3:10, 5:40, 8:15, 10:50License to Wed (PG-13)Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:05, 7:25, 10:05 (Ends 7-26)Evan Almighty (PG)Thu.: 11:20 a.m, 1:50 (Ends 7-26)Knocked Up (R)Thu.: 4:25, 7:25, 10:15 (Ends 7-26)
CENTER CITY
Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900
Vitus (PG)Fri.-Thu.: 1:15, 4, 6:45, 9:35The Boss of It All (NR)Fri.-Wed.: 12:10, 2:35, 5:10, 7:40, 10Thu.: 12:10, 2:35, 5:10, 10:10Broken English (NR)Thu.: 12:25, 2:35, 4:45, 10Fri.-Mon., Wed.-Thu.: 12:25, 2:45, 5:05, 7:25, 9:45Tue.: 12:25, 2:35, 4:45, 10Goya’s Ghosts (R)Fri.-Thu.: 12, 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:05Lady Chatterley (NR)Thu.: 1:30, 5:10, 8:40Fri.-Thu.: 2:40, 8:50Golden Door (PG-13)Thu.: 1:20, 4:05, 6:50, 9:35Fri.-Thu.: 12:05, 6:10Black Sheep (NR)Thu.: 10 Cashback (R)Thu.: 12:10, 2:35, 5:15, 7:35, 9:55 (Ends 7-26)Joshua (R)Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:10, 7:30 (Ends 7-26)
Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-7900
My Best Friend (PG-13)Fri. Sun.-Thu.: 12:15, 2:35, 5:10, 7:35, 10Sat.: 12:15, 2:50, 5:10, 7:35, 10Rescue Dawn (PG-13)Thu.-Thu.: 1:15, 4:10, 7:10, 9:50Once (R)Thu.-Fri., Sun., Wed.-Thu.: 12:30, 2:50, 5:15, 7:30, 9:55Sat.: 2:50, 5:15, 7:30, 9:55Mon.-Tue.: 12:30, 2:35, 4:40, 10You Kill Me (R)Thu.: 12:20, 2:40, 4:45, 10Fri.-Mon.: 12:20, 2:40, 5:05, 7:20, 9:40Tue.: 2:50, 4:45, 7:20, 9:40Wed.: 2:50, 4:45, 10Thu.: 12:20, 2:50, 4:45, 10La Vie En Rose (PG-13)Thu.: 1, 4, 7, 10Fri.-Thu.: 12:45, 3:45, 6:45, 9:40Evening (PG-13)Thu.: 12, 2:35, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10 (Ends 7-26)
Ritz East
Second Street between Chestnut and Walnut
215-925-7900
Sicko (PG-13)Thu.: 1:30, 4:15, 10Fri.-Sun.: 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:45Mon.-Thu.: 1:30, 4, 10Wed.: 1:30, 4, 7, 9:45Sunshine (R)Fri.-Thu.: 12:15, 2:40, 5:10, 7:30, 10Goya’s Ghost (R)Thu.: 12, 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:05 (Ends 7-26)
Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-6699
No Reservations (PG)Fri.-Thu.: 12, 2:45, 5, 7:30, 9:45Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (PG-13)Thu.: 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30, 9Fri.-Thu.: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:30
