Very well executed

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Rob (Dougray Scott) is a London chef who is definitely haute cuisine. One of his motivations to do superior work is a bad review he got from a restaurant critic. One day, his lovely wife dies in a traffic accident leaving him a widower with a young daughter. Needing to change his life, he decides to move to the country, where a rundown old inn has housing for his family and a large pub. Not everyone is happy to have him in the neighborhood, some folks like their bucolic setting as peaceful as possible. Since the pub business begins very slowly, this isn't a great problem. Also, there is a beautiful woman named Kate (Claire Forlani) who lives with her parents nearby. This lady has been unlucky in love herself and, although she is the object of affection for a snooty gentleman resident, she shies away from attachments. Yet, Rob and Kate begin to like the looks of each other, especially when Kate's efforts to drum up business for Rob turns out well. There are a few secrets afoot, however, which may damage the future of their romance. Will it be so? This is a nice film for the ever-thirsty romance fans, like me. Scott and Forlani are fan favorites and the rest of the cast, which includes Simon Callow, are delightful as well. The sets, costumes, script, photography and surefooted direction combine to make a flick that is most enjoyable. Therefore, romance fans, get out of the kitchen, get some nice takeout and watch this in total bliss.

LOVE'S KITCHEN is one of those background movies -something to put on the screen while filing, doing a puzzle, or some other task that needs little attention but an occasional distraction. Written and directed James Hacking, it is a predictable story with a predictable script and put together in a casual way that at least doesn't stir any feathers. Nor does it stir much genuine interest. It seems like a paste together story for husband/wife team of Dougray Scott and Claire Forlani.Befuddled Rob Haley (Dougray Scott) was apparently a rising chef in London, put down by food critic Kate Templeton (Claire Forlani), and further distracted by the death of his wife. In response to the need for change he moves to the country where he finds a pub-like spot in which he decides to create a café - a truly gourmet spot in the middle of nowhere. He hires friends to help cook and wait tables. He garners interest from the townsfolk for his delicious cuisine - especially his 'perfect trifle'. His efforts do not go unnoticed - Kate Templeton visits, loves the food, and naturally falls in love with Rob... Etc Etc EtcThere is nothing wrong with this bit of British fluff: it just doesn't register on the scale. There are a few sidebars of some note and some cameos by the likes of Simon Callow. But for the most part this is background entertainment. Not bad, just background. Grady Harp

The screenplay is a lukewarm work just like all the actors in this movie, very loose, not quite convincing. The female food critic looked pretty forced and not convincing at all. The editing of this movie was also not quite good since there are several transit scenes just felt incomplete and abrupt.The major problem of this movie is that the main character who played the role as an ingenious chef, again, very unconvincing, showing shortage of any superior cooking technique and basic sanitary alertness. Arranging and putting the final touch of the decoration for the food presentation, he combed his hairs, wiped his neck with the same hand that touched the food, yuck! Ever heard of cross-contamination? I was worried that he might pick his nose and scratch his crotch or his behind, then touch the food again. This is the major reason that I don't like any food that obviously was handled and touched by hands, especially if there were some obvious arrangement of the food on the plate, some greens or flowers? Nowadays, it seems every food, especially the food at outrageous prices, would be arranged by hands, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese...lot of so-called "cuisine" are using hands to touch, arrange, re-arrange the looks on the plates. Yack! And this chef, touched food and combed his hairs and wiped his neck at the same time. His greatness in food never showed clearly only showed that he could do some magical "Trifle", in other words, a pastry chef? Lot of scenes in this lukewarm romance comedy are just pretentious and stupid. Highly unlikely realistic.Watchable, but not great at all.

In a world where everyone wants to be Top Chef in Hell's Kitchen, LOVE'S KITCHEN -- formerly known as NO ORDINARY TRIFLE-- really hits the spot as a fun and sweet cinematic delicacy. In the vein of FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and NOTTING HILL, LOVE'S KITCHEN is a completely charming romantic comedy. Claire Forlani easily gives her best performance since her break-out role in MEET JOE BLACK. Dougray Scott proves he can be a romantic leading man as well as an action star with his strong silent-type good looks and restrained performance here. The supporting cast is excellent led by Peter Bowles as the heavy. Simon Callow is hilarious as the soused critic as is Lee Boardman as the sidekick sous chef/waiter. Michelle Ryan is a delicious waitress. And finally, Gordon Ramsay shows surprising charm in a terrific cameo appearance. Writer/director Hacking gives the story punch and pace without heavy sentimentality or maudlin predictability. LOVE'S KITCHEN is a great date picture. As its title implies, LOVE'S KITCHEN is the place to find hearty good fun and a satisfying cinematic meal.