Martina Gedeck,
Sergio Castellitto,
Maxime Foerste,
August Zirner,
Ulrich Thomsen
... see more 
Sandra Nettelbeck spins this gentle drama about how a child's presence can change the lives of the most shy and career-minded of adults. Martha (Martina Gedeck) is the chef of a popular Hamburg eatery... read more
DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003
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Stats: 749 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (749)
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October 17, 2010Yummy from beginning to end. Not only is Martha quirky to watch, but the food preparation alone is worth sitting through this movie. Sweet and stylish. Passionate. Heart warming.
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August 5, 2008This was a great film, The one I rented had English Subtitles and was in German. It started out slow, but really picked up and was very funny. If your into subtitle Movies get this one or rent it, you will not be sorry.
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July 17, 2007This is the most charming movie I have seen in a long time. It was very linear as far as foreign films go so if you want a very twisty, R Rated (as this is a PG film) foreign film this isn't it. What you get here is a great character development/study, a wonderful love story, and... read more
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October 15, 2010An intriguing movie. Martha is a chef in a upscale restaurant when one day she gets several surprises. Her sister tragically dies in a car accident while on her way to see her, and now must raise her eight year old niece Lina. Her boss hires an Italian sous-chef, and now must ... read more
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May 7, 2012Having watched the American adaptation "No Reservations" previously, the plot of the movie quickly became familiar to me. Nonetheless, it does provide an entertaining watch as a whole.
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January 5, 2012I have to say I did not know this was the original and I liked it , like most originals better the the american version. we tend to suck at remakes and seem to think we can always do it better when sometimes we just can't. I wish there was more gumption to be creative and come up... read more
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November 28, 2008Watched this over the summer for lack of something better to do, and I actually really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it if you don't mind foreign films and you can deal with something paced a bit slowly.
Critic Reviews
July 17, 2007
Emanuel Levy, Variety
October 2, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Nettelbeck serves the tastiest film about food and sex since Big Night.
September 19, 2002
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Nettelbeck has given the viewer a genuine catharsis and a cinematic meal that isn't perfect -- but is all the better for it.
August 31, 2002
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Nettelbeck has a particularly lovely sense of behind-the-scenes restaurant choreography. Full Review
August 31, 2002
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flavorful and romantic, you could call this How Martha Got Her Groove Back -- assuming, that is, she ever had one to begin with. Full Review
August 30, 2002
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Handsome and sophisticated approach to the workplace romantic comedy. Full Review
August 24, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
As much as any other motion picture that employs the preparation and consumption of food as a key element, Mostly Martha provides the perfect blend of cinematic nourishment and gratification. Full Review
August 23, 2002
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Sweet without being saccharine and funny without being forced. Full Review
August 23, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
If Mostly Martha is mostly unsurprising, it's still a sweet, even delectable diversion.
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Mostly Martha (Bella Martha)
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