Some things I liked some I did not.

Brilliant and touching

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

**SPOILER ALERT** Mostly Martha is about a woman who has a very planned life that revolves around her job - being a chef. She is always cooking, whether in the kitchen or not. She doesn't really have time to relax or have fun. Her life quickly changes when her niece, Lina (8) , has to live with Martha. She doesn't know anything about being a mother and there are times where they are both quite frustrated with each other. Lina is a very quiet, private person until the arrival of another chef. Enter Mario, a crazily happy Italian chef. Soon Martha & Mario fall in love and Lina is a happy part of their lives. Mostly Martha (or in German, Bella Martha) is an enjoyable film when you need a mood lift.

I'm loathe to write reviews but this film is one I love and when I looked on IMDb William J. Fickling's comment was the "fly in my soup" at the bottom of the page. Reading others comments I see that many people get this movie and loved it - bizarrely there are also a few morons who misunderstood the film and several self-proclaimed foodies who are anxious to tell the world that they know more about food and cinema than this movie can communicate.To address Fickling directly first - here is a comprehensive list of food movies which I am sure leaves out an enormous number of old ones and still further more from foreign shores but at least trumps your list of the ones purportedly worth watching:TAMPOPO MOSTLY MARTHA SOYLENT GREEN LA GRANDE BOUFFE DELICATESSEN MY DINNER WITH ANDRE KITCHEN STORIES BABETTE'S FEAST EAT, DRINK, MAN WOMAN THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA BIG NIGHT LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE JAMON, JAMON HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS & THE SON OF THE BRIDE (cheating a bit) THE COOK THE THIEF HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER ALIVE THE TRAVELLING PLAYERS GREED WEDDING BANQUET VATEL WILLY WONKA A CHEF IN LOVE GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS SIDEWAYS KITCHEN HOTEL SPLENDIDE SUPERSIZE ME 9 1/2 Weeks DINNER RUSH FRIED GREEN TOMATOES... SOUL FOOD EATING RAOUL A Chinese FEAST TOM JONES (love that scene) WHAT'S COOKING (yes I'm aware that some of these movies are "food movies" by virtue of one scene only - but who's counting).Fickling writes "The less said about the plot, the better" - this is a film about characterisation, a film that explores the nuances of motherhood, working relationships, pride and the fragility of the human spirit. A film which shows triumph in the face of adversity, describes a difficult romance and how we can all become more than the sum of our parts. Admittedly there are no car chases, no "twists" and no murders (apologies to the plot spoiler sticklers there) but the film is nothing the less for it. What we do have are splendid character arcs and a generous director who allows the cast to act in an understated way which draws the viewer into the story. Several times I wanted to reach through the screen and give someone a hug and, big man that I am, I even welled up in one or two places. I laughed several times and ate a chicken, a salmon and a small cow after I finished it.Sadly the same man that wrote "the 'buzz-word' about food movies is sensuous" didn't feel the same way, but then someone who uses words like buzz-word isn't likely to. Stick one in the eye to the food snobs who tell you which dish to order and how to drink your wine, order this movie at your video rental because you've seen at least one or two movies in your life which, when the end credits rolled, made you feel like life was worth consuming and everyone could belong somewhere.Finally, to Mr. Fickling - your tone is both condescending and a little self-satisfied - but you're welcome at my house for dinner any time.killedcat

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.

This film is an excellent psychological study of a VERY controlled and emotionally constricted woman who uses food, believe it or not, as a way of avoiding intimacy. She is a superb chef who is incredibly precise and demanding concerning her cooking because she is so uncomfortable with people. However, into her tightly controlled world comes chaos in the form of her niece--whose mother was just killed in an auto accident. Not surprisingly, she has a hard time relating to this child and I was thrilled that her transformation to a whole person took time and wasn't achieved in a Hollywood-style way. Instead, this little girl (who was not overly cute or fake--thank goodness) and a new chef at her restaurant (who was completely unlike her) influence Martha in a way that is believable and satisfying.By the way, while not quite as good as The Big Night (which came out the same year) or Babette's feast, this movie is VERY reminiscent of them--elevating food to a true work of art.