The author of this review lives in the part of the world where one of most popular proverbs says that "path to someone's heart goes through that person's stomach". In other words, it is impossible to reach romantic bliss without satisfying some of the more existential needs. One of few Hollywood romantic comedies to accept this truth is Simply Irresistible, directed in 1999 by Mark Tarlov. The script, written by Judith Roberts, is set in New York where young Amanda Shelton (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) has just inherited small restaurant from her mother. Amanda is not likely to enjoy in this restaurant for long because she lacks cooking talent and clientele gradually disappears. Young business executive Tom Bartlett (played by Sean Patrick Flannery) has different problems - he is about to open elite restaurant in his department store, but his business success is total opposite of his miserable love life. Mysterious cab driver (played by Christopher Durang) intervenes by giving magic crab to Amanda. This leads not only to accidental encounter with Tom, but also transforms Amanda into extraordinary cook, able to spark long-suppressed romantic passions in all those who taste her recipes.
Obviously inspired by Mexican hit Like Water for Chocolate, Judith Roberts' script tries to mix romance and celebration of culinary skills. Unfortunately, this mix only results in film being too sweet to be taken seriously. There are some truly magic moments in the film, and the acting by Gellar and few supporting players (Patricia Clarkson in the role of Tom's love-struck assistant) are very good, but the plot is too confusing and the "magic" seems more like a convenient deus ex machina device than integral part of the story. Simply Irresistible is still better than most of Hollywood's products of the same genre, but this doesn't amount to much more than being merely watchable.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on October 11th 2004)
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