Mostly Martha Page #2

Synopsis: In a German restaurant, Chef Martha Klein is the undisputed supreme ruler of the kitchen staff and woe to any customer who would dare criticize her cooking. Her life is firmly centered around cooking which takes on a obsessive level with stubborn single mindedness. Even when she is ordered to take therapy, she still constantly talks about her work and the iron clad control she relishes in her task. All that changes when her sister dies in a car accident, leaving her 8 year old daughter, Lina. Martha takes her niece in and while making enquiries for her estranged father, she struggles to care for this stubbornly headstrong child. Meanwhile at work, a new chef named Mario is hired on and Martha feels threatened by this unorthodox intruder. The pressures of both her private and work life combine to create a situation that will fundamentally call her attitudes and life choices into question while these interlopers into her life begin to profoundly change it.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Director(s): Sandra Nettelbeck
Production: Paramount Classics
  14 wins & 7 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.3
Metacritic:
72
Rotten Tomatoes:
92%
PG
Year:
2001
109 min
$4,041,973
Website
707 Views


But by now everyone knows

that for the animal

it's the most agonizing death,

because it takes

so long for it to die.

The best way to kill a lobster is

with a well-placed stab in the neck.

It's quickest

I'll be right there.

Go home, Martha.

I just need a minute.

I'll be all right.

You don't understand.

It's no suggestion.

I want you to go home.

I've brought us something.

I'm not hungry.

Neither am l.

Would you rather get some sleep?

I'm not tired.

This Friday you can go home.

Did you know that?

-Yes.

You and I need to talk

about what to do.

Can I go back home?

I'm afraid you can't.

Why not?

You'd be all alone there.

I've been alone a lot.

But your Mom would

always come home.

Why can't I live with my father?

What do you know

about your father?

He's called Giuseppe.

Giuseppe.

Do you know his last name?

From ltaly.

Well, that's a start.

I'll try and find

your father, Lina.

And in the meantime you could

live with me,

if you like.

What do you think?

-Until you find him?

Until I find him.

I don't want to eat.

Rather have something else?

Aren't you hungry at all?

May I go back

to my room now, please?

I have to go out

for a moment. -Okay

Your dinner's in the oven.

-Okay

Do you need anything else?

Right, I'm off then

I didn't see you come in.

I was on my way out.

I forgot something.

So, how are you?

Fine.

Have you had dinner?

Today?

-This evening, yes...

Neither have l. Would you like

to have dinner with me?

I'm sorry, I can't right now.

That's too bad.

Maybe some other time.

Yes, maybe.

Bye.

-Hadn't you forgotten something?

Yes, of course.

Thanks.

-You're welcome.

I'm off now.

-Okay.

Only a well-fed cook

is a good cook.

First you must saturate

your taste buds

and only then season to taste.

If you're satisfied

on a full stomach,

then you're a really good cook.

What are you doing here?

Tell me the secret

of your saffron sauce.

I beg your pardon?

-Lea didn't want to show me and...

Listen!

How he savours the song!

Fantastic.

Martha...

I meant to call you.

This is Mario.

This is Martha, our chef.

Believe me,

the world would be a sad place

without your pigeon with truffles.

You could've asked!

You had other worries.

-But... -Evening.

Booked a table?

-Yes, Mendel. For two.

Let me show you to your table.

Great. A madman in my kitchen!

It's my kitchen

and he isn't mad.

He's eccentric.

Your coats, please

Eccentric? Are you mad?

An Italian!

-Someone'll be with you soon

We agreed

that I would choose my staff.

Lea would've coped

for a few days.

And what does he want

my recipe for?

I... -Calm down!

I needed a replacement

He's a superb cook.

Be glad he's here.

Lea shouldn't work at all

after 8.

Soon we'll have to do

without her.

If we're lucky,

Mario will stay on.

He could do the fish dishes.

Hang on! The fish dishes!

You know we've got to change.

Nowadays people

want light dishes.

They watch their diet,

their cholesterol,

blood pressure,

salt content of water!

Olive oil instead of butter.

Light!

Want to get rid of me?

Tell me now!

When I do,

you'll be the first to know!

Good morning

Didn't I have

to go to school today?

It's 8:
30.

D'you need anything?

A pen? Maybe paper?

No, thanks

Want to take sandwiches?

-No, thanks.

I can't find my scarf.

-Hurry up.

Put on your jacket.

I won't go without my scarf!

What did you say?

-I can't find my scarf.

You can have mine.

-I want mine!

We're late. Put on mine today

and yours tomorrow, okay?

Is that it?

-Yes.

Thank God!

-But I didn't put it on him.

There!

Good morning.

I'll get you some.

Good morning.

Who are you?

I'm Sam, your neighbour.

There you are.

-Thank you.

Have you had breakfast yet?

No, but we've got

to get to school.

lsn't she a little too old

for that?

Goodbye.

-See you around.

Why go to school

if I'm going to ltaly?

Because all children

go to school.

I don't know

when I'll find your father.

Have you started looking at all?

I don't really know

where to start. -In Italy!

Two chefs in one kitchen is like...

Like 2 people driving a car.

lmpossible.

My wife and I often drive together.

But you're not both

behind the wheel.

You'll manage to avoid the worst.

The worst?

That he'll put up

with you for a while.

Are you this nice to all

your patients?

Only to those who deserve it.

I know you don't need

a babysitter,

but this way

I'll know you've everything.

I don't need anything.

Or if anything happens,

like a fire,

I don't want you to be alone.

She's probably nicer

than she looks.

And she brought a book,

to read to you.

I can read myself.

Maybe a game.

-Haven't you got any?

When will you be back?

-Late.

It's ready.

Veal's in the fridge,

everything else is here.

All you have to do is...

Heat it up.

Here's the recipe.

You can cook, can't you?

Not a bit.

-Great!

Why, why, why...?

Hire a detective.

No. They find nothing,

and cost a fortune.

My sister once hired a detective

to find her ex-boyfriend.

He bled her,

but never found him.

-Just what I said.

Isn't Mario there yet?

Maybe changed his mind.

-Don't you dare!

Good day.

Missed out on something?

-Not really.

We've been working here

for an hour.

Okay.

Hey, chef.

No, thank you.

I never eat in the afternoon.

Martha, my mother whispered this

recipe to me on her deathbed.

It's been a family secret

for centuries.

I made it especially

for all of you.

You can't say no,

that's impossible.

The memory of my mama is more...

Satisfied?

Yes, very.

I thought your mother

lived in Nice. -Yes, no.

We thought she wasn't

going to make it,

but then...

It was a miracle!

Table 15:
3 tureens, 1 rucola salad,

Lia are you ready?

Carlos, 1 lobster, 3 artichokes

Let me know if you need help.

Lea, table 3, 30 seconds.

Carry on with table 6.

-Tables 2 and 4.

Lea, now 1 quail and 1 rabbit.

Carlos, 2 rucola salads, 1 tureen.

Excuse me.

I'll need that.

-You'll get it back.

May I ask you something?

-If you must.

Who taught you to cook this good?

Pere Bise.

Pierre Bise!

Pere Bise.

That's French for "father".

In English he'd be a pear.

What's wrong with you?

Anything wrong with my cooking?

It's my kitchen.

I worked hard for it.

I won't let you take it away

from me.

Why would I want to do that?

What else could you want here?

Now you listen to me.

I don't need this job.

I can work anywhere I want.

I'd like to work here.

I admire you.

It's an honor for me

to cook with you.

But most of all I like to work

where I'm wanted.

You understand, right?

So if you want me to leave,

just say so and I'm gone

Yes?

What's going on here?

What is it you want?

Sorry, Frida, find someone else.

Why? Martha,

what have you done?

Nothing at all.

Please stay, Mario, we need you.

I'd need to hear her say so.

After all, it's her kitchen.

-It's mine, too. -No.

It's your restaurant,

but her kitchen.

Without her, it's just a pile

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote

Sandra Nettelbeck

Sandra Nettelbeck (born 4 April 1966) is a German film director and screenwriter, best known for her film Mostly Martha (2001). more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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