 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
No Reservations
- Review Date: February 11, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Bland-but-sweet dramedy more for adult palates.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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 Although it's rated PG and stars popular child actress Abigail Breslin, the film's protagonist, an emotionally withdrawn chef who doesn't have any healthy relationships, is not going to seem compelling to most kids.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.
What's the story?
In NO RESERVATIONS, type-A chef Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is all business and the talk of Manhattan. But at home, Kate's a mess. Her sister unexpectedly dies, and suddenly Kate's the guardian of her young niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin). Kate's so clueless she tries to feed Zoe a whole steamed fish -- whole fish, with head and milky eye intact -- instead of the fish sticks the girl would prefer. But soon enough Nick (Aaron Eckhart), with his Italian flair for cranking up arias and making the kitchen staff sing along, wins over Zoe with a plate of good ole spaghetti marinara. With Zoe playing Cupid, she hooks her aunt up, and the odd-couple chefs start rubbing off on each other -- he becomes more ambitious and she more laid back.
Is it any good?
There's romance in but not the kind you would expect from a Hollywood romantic comedy. The emotional connection between Kate and the cuisine she artfully creates is entertaining and satisfying. But Kate's slow-but-predictable relationship with the restaurant's carefree new sous chef Nick is less exciting than watching the many close-ups of haute cuisine. These may be attractive Hollywood actors, but they lack convincing chemistry.
Although director Scott Hicks couldn't coax a magical spark out of his leads, he does a fine job of showing how food, especially beautifully prepared food, can be a sensuous delight. And while the movie's lesson -- about letting your hair down once in a while to go with the flow -- is trite, it's also familiar and sweet.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
Barely any swearing, just one scene of slight sexual content. This was a very sweet, romantic movie.
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AGE
Sad, but sweet
Loved the movie. Partially, because I love to cook, and mostly it's because the movie was so well made.
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AGE
This is literally one of the best movies i have ever seen in my life! It is sweet, and funny at times, and at one point i accually cried. This is not the typical boy-meets-girl story, it is so much more than that. Everyone needs to see this movie. From 1-101. It really is the best ever.
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AGE
B-O-R-I-N-G!
One word. B-O-R-I-N-G! This movie is EXACTLY like any other romantic comedy and is really pointless and a waste of time! Why did I even see this movie?
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AGE
Tearjerker, tearjerker . . .
It was one of the only movies that has made my sister, mom, and I cry, all together. It's a touching movie with good messages and positive role models, but it's pretty predictable, though it does have it's own unique quirks!
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AGE
It was great!!!
This movie is a wonderful movie!!! It is very touching. If you are looking for a feel good movie or a romantic movie to watch with some girlfriends at a sleepover then this is good!!! it has its sad moments and then it has its very happy moments. I think that this has absolutely no disturbing content of any kind! I TOTALLY recommend this movie to any one who is looking for a feel good movie!!!
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AGE
Not really PG
This movie deals with way too much to be PG. A girl's mother dies, a woman talks about listening to music while having sex, t*ts and a**hole are used, and a man and woman feed each other and kiss blindfolded. Altogether a great movie, but not for young ones. 12+ is better.
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AGE
Great Movie!!!!!!
I saw this movie on tv. It was great! I am getting the DVD it was so good. It is a bit sad in parts as the mother of the child dies. I gave it an 8 because at one point, the child, Zoey, runs away to see her mother at the cemetary. There is kissing and wine as they are in a resteraunt. Overall great movie for all!!!!!!
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AGE
oh, come on! this is an awesome movie, and there is only a TINY bit of sexual refrenses!
all the reviews on this website say that this movie has too much sexual content and violence, but come on! the woman in the kitchen talks about some slightly inappropriate topics, but i didn't even notice! she says like one thing and then drops it. there is some mild language, but no violence, sex, or gore. this is a sweet movie for older kids and tweens.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Scott Hicks |
| Cast: | Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Catherine Zeta-Jones |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 103 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 27, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | February 11, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some sensuality and language. |
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