Mostly Martha - Bella Martha (1:48) 2002

-Martha is a temperamental and successful chef in Germany. She is serious about her work and her cooking fuels her fire. One day she receives a phone call that changes her life forever. Her sister has been killed in a car accident but her young niece Lena has survived. Lena's father lives in Italy and doesn't know he has a daughter. Lena comes to live with Martha until her father is located and comes for her. As Martha is trying to adapted to this big change in her personal life, a change in her professional life is proving to be just challenging. Mario, a joyous Italian, has been hired as the sous chef and Martha has to share her kitchen with him. Mostly Martha is predictable, Mario is attracted to Martha and begins to win her over. Lena and Martha have a rocky start to living together but soon Lena begins to become interested in the culinary arts. Just as Martha's live is starting to gel Lena's father appears at the door. Will Lena leave to live with her father? What happens to Martha and Mario? If this plot sounds familiar it may be due to the American retelling of this story, No Reservations, in 2007. This is one of the few times that I prefered the American version. Mostly Martha was a serious, somber story, No Reservations was more bubbling and joyous. It did strike me that both versions were very close to each other in story characters and events. Either one is well worth a look!