This is a good-natured, whimsical comedy, as American as mom's apple pie, though there are some cloves baked in to temper the sweetness.
Waitress (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:160
Fresh:142
Rotten:18
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Sweet, smart, and quirky, Waitress hits the right, bittersweet notes through this romantic comedy through its witty script and a superb performance by Keri Russell.
Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for language, drug use and some sexual content
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:10-08-2007
Synopsis: An audience hit at the Sundance Film Festival, WAITRESS serves up a sweet, sassy and delicious slice of life tale -- as it reveals the power of friendship, motherhood and the willingness to take a... An audience hit at the Sundance Film Festival, WAITRESS serves up a sweet, sassy and delicious slice of life tale -- as it reveals the power of friendship, motherhood and the willingness to take a chance. It's the story of a small town woman who transforms her hopeless life into a hilarious and unexpected love story. This vibrantly different romantic comedy is the final film from writer-director Adrienne Shelly. Starring in the title role, Keri Russell (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3, THE UPSIDE OF ANGER) leads a dynamic cast as a diner waitress stuck in a lousy marriage whose only solace is baking out-of-this-world pies. When the awkwardly charming new OB-GYN, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion, SERINITY), comes to town, she's inspired to mix-master her life into something far more satisfying. WAITRESS will surely do for pie making what SIDEWAYS did for Pinot Noir. As a favorite waitress at Joe's Diner, Jenna (Russell) is also a "pie genius," naming her tantalizing confections after the tumultuous events and emotions of her daily life. She's hoping that one of her pastries, like her "Kick In The Pants" Pie, might even change her life – if she can just win that $25,000 pie contest. But when Jenna discovers that she's pregnant, she immediately bakes an "I Don't Want Earl's Baby" Pie – a quiche of egg and cheese with a smoked ham center. After all, her husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto, THIRTEEN, SIX FEET UNDER) is a jealous jerk that is essentially a child himself and the last thing they need to do is start a family together. But the pregnancy eventually changes the course of events in her life, giving her an unexpected and newfound confidence via letters to her unborn baby. WAITRESS also stars Emmy® nominee Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," RV) and Adrienne Shelly (THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH, TRUST) as Jenna's quick-tongued fellow waitresses along with classic television star Andy Griffith ("The Andy Griffith Show," "Matlock") as the curmudgeonly Old Joe of Joe's Diner. Fox Searchlight presents a Night and Day production of WAITRESS, written and directed by Adrienne Shelly. The producer is Michael Roiff and the executive producers are Todd King, Jeff Rose, Danielle Renfrew and Robert Bauer. The behind-the-scenes talent includes director of photography Matthew Irving (WAITING, DALTRY CALHOUN, NORTHFORK), production designer Ramsay Avery (TEAM AMERICA), editor Annette Davey (SORRY, HATERS) and composer Andrew Hollander (GRAY MATTERS). --© Fox Searchlight Pictures [More]
Starring: Keri Russell, Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, Nathan Fillion
Starring: Keri Russell, Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, Nathan Fillion, Andy Griffith, Eddie Jemison
Director: Adrienne Shelly
Director: Adrienne Shelly
Screenwriter: Adrienne Shelly
Producer: Michael Roiff
Composer: Andrew Hollander
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Reviews for Waitress
The pies themselves, produced in all the colours of a rainbow - look disgustingly plastic.
As Shelly's unintended epitaph, it’s a warm-hearted charmer, filled with hope, served with love.
You need a hard stomach sometimes in American romcoms. Equally, though, you’d need a hard heart not to love the good humour, good intentions and grace-of-style of Adrienne Shelly’s farewell film.
You've heard of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This is My Big Thin White Abusive Marriage.
Waitress is going to appeal more to women than men, with most of the blokes portrayed as a bit useless.
Sweet-tasting without being too sickly, though at 104 minutes, a smaller portion might have gone down better.
Waitress isn't perfect, but it has sincerity and warmth, and feels like a labour of love - which is more than can be said of any other movie this week.
Despite getting off to a good start with an entertaining premise, Waitress ultimately promises more than it delivers, thanks to its less than satisfying final act, a predictably syrupy feel-good finale that the film could well have done without.
A stylised indie chick-flick, Waitress gets itself into a tonal puree but still offers flavoursome pleasures and full-on food-porn visuals. A funny and touching testament to Shelly’s multi-talent – savour it.
A simple tale of a girl's determination to dig through the bitterness, and find a layer of sweetness just waiting to be enjoyed.
An unassuming treat amid the noisy blockbuster season. It’ll melt your heart and any dietary resolve equally.
Sharply written, sweetly acted indie drama that's laced with an extra layer of sadness due to the tragic death of writer-director Adrienne Shelly.
Shelly's film (regrettably her last) may be a fine folly for foodies. But as a fable of female empowerment, it seriously lacks flavor.
Shelly astutely examines mother-daughter issues, keeping us laughing before delivering her emotional gut-punch of a finale.
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