A Movie You Might Have Missed: 1

This originally ran as part of a series that I intended to feature 30 films. I was inspired by Good News Film Reviews' list of 50 movies you might have missed. Do go read Scott's recommendations. Specifically, I am skipping mentioning these movies here because you can read them on his list:

• Singin' in the Rain
  
• Kung Fu Hustle
• Memento (my review here)
  
• Amelie
• Brick (my review here)
  
• Babette's Feast
• About a Boy
• The Quiet Man
• Groundhog Day
• Infernal Affairs (my review here)

Sadly I ran out of steam at about #20.

I revive it here after having a conversation with friends earlier this week where they lamented having a difficult time finding good and unusual movies outside the mainstream. I don't know if this list fits their criteria but I am always surprised when I recommend these movies and no one has heard of them.

And, who knows? I may find my original list and take it all the way to 30!

1. Mostly Martha

Germany

Martha is a chef who has a great deal of discipline, an obsession with food although she never seems to eat, and little joy in her life. When her sister dies, Martha is forced into facing unknown situations after her orphaned niece comes to live with her. Then a new chef is added to the staff and Martha's loss of control seems complete. Suddenly Martha's life is no longer under control at all with the expected growth of character resulting.

This is a slow and deliberate movie but the acting and dialogue are great and a lot of the scenes are very funny. Naturally, as this is about a chef, it is a major "foodie" film. Mostly Martha is a German movie with subtitles but don't let that scare you. Actually we liked listening to the German and picking out words that were almost the same as in English ... but that's the kind of thing our family does for fun.

Do not be fooled by the American remake: No Reservations. It completely messes up the last third of the movie.