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Mostly Martha

Play trailer Poster for Mostly Martha PG 2002 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 84 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 Oct 16, 2014
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. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone Oct 2, 2002
1/4
Nettelbeck serves the tastiest film about food and sex since Big Night. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Sep 15, 2002
3.5/5
Nettelbeck's alliterative subtext -- food equals love, life, and longing -- is more or less obvious from the get-go, but the excellent performance from Gedeck and Castellitto belie the film's straightforward nature. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Sep 11, 2020
3/5
Touching meditation on the mending of hearts and mastering of cuisines. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 17, 2011
B
Predictable but still charming German romantic comedy, centering on the erotic appeal of food Go to Full Review Sarah Wenk Common Sense Media Jan 2, 2011
4/5
German film about finding family. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Juris O @Juris100 Sep 6, 2026 A good movie for an evening with the family. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 3, 2025 Success in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2013-2025 by Paramount Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Thematic Material and Mild Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Filippos S @RT85468875 Jan 23, 2025 A simple beautiful simple story. It's worth a look. See more graeme o @RT67022386 Jan 30, 2023 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. See more Jun 15, 2020 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. See more Nov 21, 2016 Quiet film that is a delight for the senses. See more Read all reviews
Mostly Martha

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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) 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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