Touches You

How sad is this?

Best movie ever!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

mostly Marta is a delicate tale about cultural conflicts under the veneer of European unity. Here comes Marta (Martina Gedeck), the imperious chef of a five star restaurant who rules the immaculate kitchen as her private fiefdom. Tragedy strikes. Her sister is killed in an Alpine accident and Marta inherits her niece Lisa as a ward.In the interim the restaurateur brought Mario (Sergio Castellitto) into the kitchen as sous chef. Mario is everything Marta is not: noisy, nosy, personable. The fat would be in the fire, but the restaurateur notes the change in taste of the well heeled diners for leaner foods.Can opposites attract before they destroy each other? The film is delicate throughout dealing with the knotty issues of cultural conflicts with great sensitivity.Mario: Why would (your niece Lina Klein) want to stay with her family in sunny Italy when she can return to cold and grey Germany to live there with a nut case like you? The film was remade and moved to an American milieu in NO RESERVATIONS. While Cathrine Beta Jones renders a bravura performance in the remake as the head chef, the remake is no match for the original.

"Mostly Martha" was a Netflix rental I did not expect to like as much as I did. First, there's the matter of the spoken language being German, with Engish only in the subtitles. Then there's the off-putting character of Martha herself, a restaurant chef who's both dismal and a certifiable nut case. Martha's stoicism breaks down only when her obsessive-compulsive side takes over as she combats chaotic outbreaks in the kitchen -- and in her life once her little orphan niece gets thrust into it.Martha's apartment reflects her personality in the spareness of its decor and grayed-down color scale. This is all about control, and Martha struggles mightily to keep it as her world tumbles down around her. How can this scenario be funny? Actually it is -- in an approaching-train-wreck sort of way. When Martha's boss brings a male Italian chef into the kitchen, all hell breaks loose. At first I found each of the main characters in this film almost painful to watch -- and yet as the story slowly unfolded, I was surprised to find lovable aspects in every one of these people -- particularly the laid-back Italian chef who proves to be an unexpectedly joyous ingredient added to the mix in the kitchen. Ultimately "Mostly Martha" is a lovely, life-affirming story and I tell you now this film is a jewel. You will come away from it feeling cheerier, with a greater appreciation of life in general. It's even more heartening to watch the second time around.

A lot of psychosocial aspects in area of top gourmet restaurant cook. In connection with outer life problems, a movie is live presentation of personal tension between professional obligations in restaurant and life obligations to young person, who is full of post traumatic shocks combined with adolescent social adaptation. Two great cooks in relatively small kitchen and living space play very interesting competition in cooking profession and life possibilities, interpolated with pride, caprice and love. Love for human and love for all what is really important in life. Movie is also practical guide to some aspects of the art of cooking.

I'm loathe to write reviews but this film is one I love and when I looked on IMDb William J. Fickling's comment was the "fly in my soup" at the bottom of the page. Reading others comments I see that many people get this movie and loved it - bizarrely there are also a few morons who misunderstood the film and several self-proclaimed foodies who are anxious to tell the world that they know more about food and cinema than this movie can communicate.To address Fickling directly first - here is a comprehensive list of food movies which I am sure leaves out an enormous number of old ones and still further more from foreign shores but at least trumps your list of the ones purportedly worth watching:TAMPOPO MOSTLY MARTHA SOYLENT GREEN LA GRANDE BOUFFE DELICATESSEN MY DINNER WITH ANDRE KITCHEN STORIES BABETTE'S FEAST EAT, DRINK, MAN WOMAN THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA BIG NIGHT LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE JAMON, JAMON HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS & THE SON OF THE BRIDE (cheating a bit) THE COOK THE THIEF HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER ALIVE THE TRAVELLING PLAYERS GREED WEDDING BANQUET VATEL WILLY WONKA A CHEF IN LOVE GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS SIDEWAYS KITCHEN HOTEL SPLENDIDE SUPERSIZE ME 9 1/2 Weeks DINNER RUSH FRIED GREEN TOMATOES... SOUL FOOD EATING RAOUL A Chinese FEAST TOM JONES (love that scene) WHAT'S COOKING (yes I'm aware that some of these movies are "food movies" by virtue of one scene only - but who's counting).Fickling writes "The less said about the plot, the better" - this is a film about characterisation, a film that explores the nuances of motherhood, working relationships, pride and the fragility of the human spirit. A film which shows triumph in the face of adversity, describes a difficult romance and how we can all become more than the sum of our parts. Admittedly there are no car chases, no "twists" and no murders (apologies to the plot spoiler sticklers there) but the film is nothing the less for it. What we do have are splendid character arcs and a generous director who allows the cast to act in an understated way which draws the viewer into the story. Several times I wanted to reach through the screen and give someone a hug and, big man that I am, I even welled up in one or two places. I laughed several times and ate a chicken, a salmon and a small cow after I finished it.Sadly the same man that wrote "the 'buzz-word' about food movies is sensuous" didn't feel the same way, but then someone who uses words like buzz-word isn't likely to. Stick one in the eye to the food snobs who tell you which dish to order and how to drink your wine, order this movie at your video rental because you've seen at least one or two movies in your life which, when the end credits rolled, made you feel like life was worth consuming and everyone could belong somewhere.Finally, to Mr. Fickling - your tone is both condescending and a little self-satisfied - but you're welcome at my house for dinner any time.killedcat