No Reservations

No Reservations is currently streaming in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Catherine Zeta-Jones — stay for everyone else around them. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, No Reservations earns its spot. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate No Reservations from the crowd. Master chef Kate Armstrong runs her life and her kitchen with intimidating intensity. However, a recipe for disaster may be in the works when she becomes the guardian of her young niece while crossing forks with the brash sous-chef who just joined her staff. Though romance blooms in the face of rivalry, Kate needs to look outside the kitchen to find true happiness. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. What keeps No Reservations from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, No Reservations respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Catherine Zeta-Jones's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.