Relative problems in 'Mostly Martha'

Mostly Martha

Director: Sandra Nettelbeck

Cast: Martina Gedeck, Maxime Foerste, Sergio Castellitto

Cert: Club.

Oh dear, it tries so very hard...

A curious film this, in that it has been presented as a quality product packed with goodness and style and beauty - which, in a way, it is - yet ends up as empty and with no lasting memories.

Gedeck plays a chef in a German restaurant, whose life is disrupted by the arrival of her disruptive niece (Foerste), bringing about the expected clashes. House guests are causing a lot of problems in this week's films, be careful who you open the door to.

It's a well-made film, to be sure, and the playing is of a high order, but somehow all the excellence is overwhelmed by the ordinary script and the feeling that nothing much of import is actually happening.

Star Rating: 3/5