German director Sandra Nettelbeck whips up a tasty entry in the burgeoning "love and food" romance genre with MOSTLY MARTHA, the tragicomic tale of an uptight professional chef who finds her world turned upside down when she becomes the caretaker for her newly orphaned niece Lina (Maxime Foerste). Martina Gedeck stars as Martha, whose obsession with precision gourmet cooking extends to discussing recipes with her bewildered therapist (August Zirner) and verbally attacking anyone at the restaurant who attempts to send her food back. When she's forced to expand her life to include Lina, her hermetic world begins to crumble. Sullen, despondent, and--worst of all--refusing to eat, Lina proves herself more than a match for Martha's iron will. Enter a boisterous, life-embracing Italian chef (Sergio Castellitto) who's been hired at the restaurant without Martha's consent, and the table is set. Sparks fly, personalities clash, and simmering, repressed emotions come bubbling to the frothy surface. Though perhaps not the most original recipe, the acting here is as impeccable as the cooking, and the cinematography, by longtime Nettlebeck-collaborator Michael Bertl, infuses the food and locales with glistening, sumptuous warmth.

Theatrical Release: AUGUST 16, 2002 (NY)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - German
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection

Martina Gedeck: German Actress
Sergio Castellitto: Italian Actor
Maxime Foerste: Actor, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)
Sibylle Canonica: Actress
Katja Studt: Actor, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)
Ulrich Thomsen: Actor
August Zirner: Actor, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)

Sandra Nettelbeck: Director, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)

Karl Baumgartner: POLA X
Christoph Friedl: Producer, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)

Sandra Nettelbeck: Director, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)

Manfred Eicher: Composer, MOSTLY MARTHA (2002)

"...Nettelbeck's refreshingly schmaltz-free story is really about the heart rather than the taste buds..."
"...Martina Gedeck offers a delightful portrayal....There are many moments of tart humor and shrewd character observation along the way..."
"...MARTHA is an import anchored by a wonderful, understated performance....Visually delicious..."
"...Nettelbeck has a particularly lovely sense of behind-the-scenes restaurant choreography..."
"...Nettelbeck serves the tastiest film about food and sex since BIG NIGHT..."
"...The German film does achieve touching moments..."
"Like a well-made desert: sweet without ever being sickly."
"...Adorable....The movie itself has a trim, ticking precision....The final confection is extremely enjoyable..."