OK for kids 12+
Bland-but-sweet dramedy more for adult palates.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this romantic comedy has some serious themes, like the death of a single parent and an aunt who must care for her orphaned niece. Although it's rated PG and stars popular child actress Abigail Breslin, the film's protagonist, an emotionally withdrawn chef who doesn't have any healthy relationships, is not going to seem compelling to most kids. The dramedy also perpetuates the idea that ambitious, professionally successful women all have lonely personal lives. Still, at its heart, this is the typical odd-couple romantic movie with a little girl thrown in to stir the pot.
- Families can talk about the difference between personal and professional success. How was Kate successful in one way but not the other? What did her kitchen employees think of her, and how did they react to Nick's work style? What did Zoe and Kate learn from each other?
What to watch for
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Violence: No violence, but there's a disturbing scene of a bruised Zoe on a hospital bed.
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Sex: Kate and Nick kiss passionately, and he spends the night, but there's no actual love scene. Paula flirts with Nick; Bernadette mentions a customer who keeps staring at her breasts and later thanks Nick for suggesting she listen to Pavarotti during sex.
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Language: Just the out-of-place words "asshole" and "tits."
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Consumerism: Croc clogs, the board game Operation
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Diners drink wine at the restaurant and the waiters discuss wine selections at their staff meetings. Kate gets tipsy after a wine-filled dinner with Nick.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
No Reservations... For my wife!! by Laser___
This is definitely a chick flick... My wife begged me to buy tickets to the sneak preview of this. Forget that I have been working hard and long hours, and wanted to go see "Tranformers" as any manly breadwinner who hasn't seen a movie in 2 months, my wife insisted and as usual, we compromised and went to the movie she wanted to see (secret to 24 plus year marriage # 2). She absolutely loved this movie, cried many times, and was absorbed into the story and characters completely.
The characters were real, (at least for 40 somethings like us), self absorbed professionals with no time for a new kid in the mix. The movie had conflicts, but all was resolved and happiness prevailed. My wife could not stop talking about it on the way home. Sorry Optimus Prime, I'll see you on DVD!
Laser>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Out.
4
No Reservations by servillo
I enjoyed this movie. My husband and 10yr old joined me. The 10 yr old was a little squirley during the show but he had just went and seen the Simpson movie a day before.
My husband and I enjoyed the movie although I wasn't prepared for the sad parts in the movie. I expected it to be more about a resturant and it was a lot about the little girl and the lose she was going through.
5
A sweet, clean movie by musicchick48
Being a Christ follower, moview that deal with love and romance that are appropriate for my lifestyle are hard to find. I adored this one. For the most part the romance between the two main characters takes place iin the kitchen, and the violence takes place in the walk-in freezer. THere was a little language the absolutely was not necessary, but all in all, I enjoyed this movie very much. Thank you for portraying Katherine Zeta-Jones as a stil-sexy, leading woman, she is absolutely beautiful. And her age is beautiful to see. And Aaron Eckhart was pretty easy to look at as well. Well made, thoughtful, and romantic, just what I was looking for!
4
Cute Movie by Sbuffington
My husband and I went to see this on Friday night. We were thoroughly pleased and enjoyed it especially the acting of Aaron Eckhart. I am not sure if I have seen anything else he did but he was really good. We enjoyed the fact that it was refreshingly clean and we could have taken our child without working about language, sex or violence. This was a great date movie!!
5
No Reservations... A MUST SEE by kbrou
This was the best movie I've seen in while. Funny, sweet, a littlle sad in parts... Great movie, a MUST SEE "chick flick"!!
4
Lots of fun, even for a Simpsons fanatic like me! by Ralph Compton
While I'm not the type who generally enjoys "chick flicks," I really thought that No Reservations was a lot of fun. There were a number of elements in the flick that one can empathize with which makes it all the ore enjoyable. For example, the development of Zeta-Jones' character - initially a perfectionist work-a-holic until the end when family, friends, and relationships clearly matter more - was something that many of us can relate to. The dynamic brought by Abigail Breslin's character was also good. This little girl's grief and how that effected Zeta-Jones, made for another life-like element. Of course, no one can avoid talking about Aaron Eckhart's character. His ability to get Zeta-Jones to start thinking about more than herself and her career, and his ability to get Bresin to come out of her shell of grief, was a remarkable touch. The three main characters were written well and the actors did an excellent job of playing the script.
5
Loved it! by maggiecur
Wonderful romantic comedy with a happy ending! Nice chemistry between Catherine & Aaron. Loved the gourmet chef angle, too.
4
no reservations... by kyrock
i thot the movie was adorable, but if you saw the previews there wasnt much left to the imagination after that. its refreshing to see a blockbuster that is rated pg, but you can probably wait until video...however, if you need a movie you can take the lil ones too, this one is safe and clean...it will definately be in my dvd collection when it comes out...
2
Been There Done That by nfgrockerdude
This movie is plain and simple, been done before. Girl has sister, sister dies and now aunt has to take care of kid. Girl meets guy and they all live happily ever after. The plot is old and has been done over and over again. The dialogue is boring and unoriginal and the acting is decent as an ensemble. Zeta is sub par with non believeable acting, Abigail breslin is ood at times and shows potential to be the next big actress of the next generation. Eckhart is a great actor but this movie just wasnt for him. I would not recommend this to anyone instead go to hollywood video and rent Love Actually a fantastic romantic comedy.
5
I loved it enough to review it! by Kiendl
This movie is romantic and comic, but SO much more than just a romantic comedy. It twists and turns unexpectedly so you never know what to expect for the (superbly cast!) characters that you grow attached to.....! I wasn't expecting to be impressed and instead was blown away!