Mostly Martha (2001)

People are voting emotionally.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The plot to Mostly Martha, a 2001 release from Germany which I recommend over the follow-up Americanized version, can't be more than basically established without introducing spoilers:The female chef of a fashionable restaurant in the port city of Hamburg schedules a visit from her sister and niece.There. That's all that can be safely said, except that the movie contains at least one major mood shift.Through early 2009, this is my favorite foreign film of the first decade of the 21st century, second only to Seabiscuit among movies from that not yet completed ten-year stretch--and, with me, ranking ahead of the several recent German historical dramas that have gotten more acclaim.The final eight and a half minutes arrive suddenly, and include three impressive minutes of musical interlude unaccompanied by any dialogue. The score to the closing credits is worth listening to, also. The ending is what stamps the movie's stature, along with a solid lead-actress performance by Martina Gedeck and a good script and capable directing by Sandra Nettelbeck.Guys, put this down on your prospective date-movie lists, and do not read or allow any reading, beforehand, of either the front or the flip side of the DVD cover. Watch with food and drink to perhaps enhance the treat, because the movie will make you hungry.

A bit of Teutonic charm that brings you along almost effortlessly. It earns a 9 out of 10 from me, an almost perfect balancing of elements both sweet and savory. If you are a "foodie" then you will enjoy the kitchen scenes and attitudes. Food preparation is Martha's raisin d'etre, at least until she is forced to change from chef to caretaker of her sister's daughter. Then the grip Martha has on her world goes from "tight with the occasional slip" to "strained and slippery".Romantics will enjoy a process of interaction that becomes attraction between Martha and the new chef Mario. Their's is a perfectly paced interplay of her tense misgivings against his amiable demeanor. One almost wishes that Martha's psychiatrist demonstrated as much insight as Mario.No, the movie isn't perfect. The ending was a bit elaborate, a slightly simpler one might have been more effective. But it's by no means a bad ending as is. Small tweaks here and there would have made this a ten for me, but I suspect many viewers may find it a 10 in their books.I watched this with Rare Birds. Another supposedly foodie movie, but in fact, one that barely qualifies as such although Rare Birds is a pleasant two hours. Mostly Martha, as a double feature, would go very well with Chocolat. But it could also be paired with Eat, Drink, Man, Woman for a fusion of east - west dining/movies experience.

Tight, emotionally taut, warm and cold in the right proportions.The acting especially of what's her name who plays Martha is on a par with Merly Streep who I believe is the touchstone for real movie actresses.Because the acting so completely conveys the feeling of the film it can be seen over and over again. There are no artificial cine tricks to break the emotional grip. Nor does the story have unnecessary scenes which could allow the viewer to lose the connection.The director has retreated from the scene and allowed the actors to convey the feelings. It is more like a live theatrical performance than a film.

I really can't understand how this movie gets a rating beyond 2 (and 2 is already optimistic). In my opinion the acting was poor and totally non-charismatic, the story was not convincing and in addition, the title of the movie does not keep its promise as well.I've seen a lot of movies by now (among them also a lot of boring ones), but this particular one is the undefeated number 1 of the most boring movies existing on planet earth.Go ahead and convince yourself, but I think that you would be better off if you did anything else in these nearly two hours. Take a walk, go out drinking, meet a friend of yours, polish your car or masturbate in front of your computer, do anything and you would be more creative than the director of this movie was.One good thing: I liked the images, colors, the settings and the shooting in general. Props to the director of photography, but nobody can compensate such a story and such bad acting.