Well, I haven't seen Mostly Martha, to which most reviewers are comparing this movie, so I can't comment on the similarities. Yes, we have seen this situation in many pictures: Driven careerist side-tracked by the introduction of an orphan relative or equivalent. This is found in Baby Boom, Three Men and a Baby, even Penny Serenade. No Reservations is not the equal of these, but is up for honorable mention.
Zeta-Jones is adequate as the career chef whose structured life is intruded upon simultaneously by her niece newly orphaned by the untimely death of Zeta-Jones' sister, and the new loosey-goosey chef in her tightly controlled kitchen.
Since you know what's gonna happen (orphan and aunt don't get along, guy and aunt don't get along, guy and orphan get along, guy and aunt then get along, etc.), it's how the movie takes you through it that is important. No reservations tries hard, and succeeds on most levels.
An enjoyable watch, but no classic.
Zeta-Jones is adequate as the career chef whose structured life is intruded upon simultaneously by her niece newly orphaned by the untimely death of Zeta-Jones' sister, and the new loosey-goosey chef in her tightly controlled kitchen.
Since you know what's gonna happen (orphan and aunt don't get along, guy and aunt don't get along, guy and orphan get along, guy and aunt then get along, etc.), it's how the movie takes you through it that is important. No reservations tries hard, and succeeds on most levels.
An enjoyable watch, but no classic.