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Mostly Martha

Play trailer Poster for Mostly Martha PG Released Aug 16, 2002 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Martha (Martina Gedeck) relies on her culinary skills as her primary means of communication. She lives for her work and presides with obsessive care over her spotless, precise kitchen. When a fateful accident leaves Lina (Maxime Foerste), her 8-year-old niece, in her care, Martha's orderly life begins to come undone. When the owner is consequently forced to bring in help, Martha and the new charming and carefree Italian chef (Sergio Castellitto) are instantly at odds.
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Mostly Martha

Mostly Martha

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Critics Consensus

Mostly Martha may have a predictable plot, but it still feels charming and fresh, and the food will make you hungry.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader This well-made and entertaining romantic comedy drama provides ample proof that German writer-director Sandra Nettelbeck can turn out a classier commercial feature than most of her Hollywood contemporaries. Oct 16, 2014 Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety Though utterly predictable, this kitchen-set romantic comedy about a severe German woman and a fun-loving Italian cook, has a certain charm, and it's about food, which speaks well for commercial appeal. Rated: B Jul 17, 2007 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Touching meditation on the mending of hearts and mastering of cuisines. Rated: 3/5 Sep 11, 2020 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Predictable but still charming German romantic comedy, centering on the erotic appeal of food Rated: B Jun 17, 2011 Full Review Sarah Wenk Common Sense Media German film about finding family. Rated: 4/5 Jan 2, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Filippos S A simple beautiful simple story. It's worth a look. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review graeme o Perfectly 'prepared'. Whilst by 15 minutes in the likely plot is anticipated, this just heightens the pleasure. Like a fine meal you might say. The acting is pitch perfect and the scenery n production in harmony. The film is not food porn, but a reflection on food preparation as an act of love but also showmanship. Those themes may be corny, but they are kept implicit. Beneath that is a tale of loneliness transcended. That Hollywood blundered in and tried for a less European or humanistic remake speaks volumes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Nice film, It makes you feel good. Those are good actors. The story flows naturally and it will give you a good time. No pretentious. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Frances H Loved this sweet, poignant, charming movie about the huge life changes to a food-obsessed cook's life and how it changes when she has to take care of her niece after her sister dies and also has to adjust to a new sous chef in her kitchen, whose outlook on life and food is far different from hers! Loved it! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/20/19 Full Review Audience Member Quiet film that is a delight for the senses. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Es otro refrito. Pero está versión alemana me gustó más que la americana y la latina. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Sandra Nettelbeck

Director

Martina Gedeck

Martha Klein

Sergio Castellitto

Mario

Maxime Foerste

Lina

August Zirner

Therapist

Ulrich Thomsen

Sam Thalberg

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Mostly Martha

Martina Gedeck (left) as Martha, Katja Studt (center) as Lea, and Sergio Castellitto as Mario cook up fun and laughter in MOSTLY MARTHA. Martina Gedeck as Martha, and Sergio Castellitto as Mario cook up romance in Sandra Nettelbeck's MOSTLY MARTHA. Martina Gedeck as Martha, and Sergio Castellitto as Mario cook up fun and laughter in Sandra Nettelbeck's MOSTLY MARTHA. Mostly Martha (2001) Mostly Martha (2001) Mostly Martha (2001) Mostly Martha (2001) Mostly Martha (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Martha (Martina Gedeck) relies on her culinary skills as her primary means of communication. She lives for her work and presides with obsessive care over her spotless, precise kitchen. When a fateful accident leaves Lina (Maxime Foerste), her 8-year-old niece, in her care, Martha's orderly life begins to come undone. When the owner is consequently forced to bring in help, Martha and the new charming and carefree Italian chef (Sergio Castellitto) are instantly at odds.
Director
Sandra Nettelbeck
Producer
Karl Baumgartner, Christophe Friedel
Screenwriter
Sandra Nettelbeck
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Palomar
Rating
PG (Thematic Material|Mild Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.2M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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