Sandra Nettelbeck Movies
Ashley Judd headlines this earnest psychological drama centered on the monumental inner struggle of Helen, a successful music professor and happily married mother suffering from severe mental illness. After years of suppressing her bipolar disorder, Helen suffers a crippling emotional breakdown. Subsequently hospitalized, she befriends Mathilda, who offers a sense of understanding and emotional solace that her family cannot. But in time Helen's suffering becomes overwhelming, and she begins to believe that death is the only solution. Desperate, Helen's husband and daughter fight to prove to her that life is worth living, and convince her that there are other options for overcoming her illness. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ashley Judd, Goran Visnjic, (more)
Carol Fuchs adapts writer/director Sandra Nettelbeck's screenplay for the 2001 romantic drama Mostly Martha for this Scott Hicks directed remake starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, and Patricia Clarkson. Kate Armstrong (Jones) is the master chef who is equally intense both in and out of the kitchen. Though Kate's "Type A" personality serves her well when whipping up meals in the trendy Manhattan eatery where she has made a name for herself, it threatens to sink her when she is named as the guardian of her nine-year-old niece Zoe (Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin). To complicate matters, an impetuous new sous chef named Nick Palmer (Eckhart) has recently joined the kitchen staff and his freewheeling personality seems to stand in direct opposition to Kate's unwavering perfectionism. Yet, despite the fact that they couldn't be more different on the surface, there's no denying the strong attraction between Kate and Nick. As the rivalry between the competitive cooks gradually gives way to romance, the lessons learned by compromising in the kitchen reveal to Kate the importance of learning to openly express herself in order to truly connect with Zoe and find romance with the good-natured Nick. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, (more)
- 2004
A young boy immersed in a fantasy world of his own crosses paths with a real-live talking terrier -- who just happens to be the inheritor of a palatial estate -- in this family-oriented fantasy from Mostly Martha director Sandra Nettelbeck. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi
- Starring:
- Neil Lennart Thomas
Sandra Nettelbeck spins this gentle drama about how a child's presence can change the lives of the most shy and career-minded of adults. Martha (Martina Gedeck) is the chef of a popular Hamburg eatery who fusses and obsesses over each dish before it leaves the kitchen. The demands of her job and her natural shyness keep her from breaking out of her routine to meet new people. When her sister suddenly dies in a car accident, Martha adopts Lina, her eight-year-old niece. Martha's life soon completely changes -- not only must she adjust herself to new parental role, but she must help Lina deal with her grief over the loss of her mother. Martha gets unexpected help from Mario, Martha's hunky new sous chef, who is not only a whiz on the chopping block but knows sundry magic tricks and jokes to keep Lina's spirits afloat. Just as Martha starts to grow attached to the girl, however, the possibility of Lina returning to the custody of her father arises. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Starring:
- Martina Gedeck, Sergio Castellitto, (more)
- 1996
- NR
The entangled love affairs between a group of Germans in their twenties provides the basis for this sudsy drama. During the course of the story, the friends attempt to cope with their feelings about commitment and to sort out their feelings about each other. Radio host Robert is living with Sara whom he plans to marry if they can ever leave their busy work schedules long enough to plan it. Nick, a budding actor has just returned from New York after getting tossed out by his latest girl friend. He begins courting Sara and his old flame Katherine, Sara's boss, simultaneously. Nina, a waitress copes with a female cab driver and poor Felix, brother of Nick, is too dumpy and goofy to have a girl friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Regula Grauwiller, Jasmin Tabatabai, (more)
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