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Waitress [2007]
![Waitress [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZN7uNKr3L._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Much like the films of Hal Hartley, Waitress is funny in a deadpan sort of way, but a sadness lurks below the surface. After making a splash in Hartley's The Unbelievable Truth and Trust, Adrienne Shelly turned to directing with Sudden Manhattan and I'll Take You There. Set in a small Southern town, her third picture revolves around waitress Jenna (Felicity's radiant Keri Russell), who works at Joe's Pie Diner (Joe is played by Andy Griffith). Jenna is the pastry genius who makes Joe's joint shine. Her co-workers include the forthright Becky (Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and insecure Dawn (Shelly). All three have man trouble, but Jenna has it the worst. Her husband, Earl (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under), treats her like a piece of property. When she finds out she's pregnant, Jenna fears she'll be stuck with him forever. Then, she develops a crush on her married obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion, Serenity). With the aid of her fanciful confections, like peachy keen tarts, their flirtation develops into a full-blown affair. It appears to be a no-win situation, but Shelly finds an empowering way to bring this bittersweet story to a close. If the candy-coloured conclusion plays more like fantasy than reality, it's a fantasy worth embracing. Sadly, Shelly was murdered before Waitress ever saw the light of day (leaving behind a husband and child of her own). Fortunately, her final film is far more life-affirming than morose, although it does end with the word "goodbye." --Kathleen C. Fennessy
A modern love story with a twist
Review date: 2008-11-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
The Waitress provides a window into the life of "Jenna" played by Kerri Russell. Stuck in a loveless marriage Jenna dreams of entering the state pie competition and winning the coveted prize money to escape her life and start again. Her dreams are dashed on discovery that she is pregnant with her low life husband's baby. An entertaining and funny film, chock full of lovable characters and colour. A modern love story; where the viewer watches Jenna's journey with the aid of those around her to rediscover her dreams and love herself once again.
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Reviews
A delight!
Review date: 2008-09-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
Ah, this was just gorgeous, the lovable Keri Russel gives a true heart-felt performance. This film is simply lovable, it borders on cheesy but stays just outside that description because of the well-written script and wonderful characterisations.
It really is an unsung gem and I highly recommend it.
A tasty little pie of a film ,sweet but not saccharine.
Review date: 2008-08-19 Rating: 8 out of 10
Normally i would rather French kiss Pete Doherty than watch anything that comes under the heading romantic comedy. Yet Waitress somehow seduced me into wanting to watch it and i,m very glad it did as this is a modest but sparkling film with impressive naturalistic performances and a vivacious empathetic script.
Writer Adrienne Shelly also plays the part of dowdy waitress Dawn who works in Joes,s Diner along with vivacious Becky (Cheryl Hines) and ace pie baker Jenna ( Keri Russell) who can think up the perfect pie for any occasion. The " I don,t want Earls baby pie" in this case as she has just found she is expecting her first child to her controlling bully of a husband Earl ( Jeremy Sisto). Not too surprisingly she views the impending sprog as a further chain around her neck. Release arrives in the form of new doctor in town,Dr Jim Pommater( Nathan Fillion) who she begins an awkward but none the less passionate affair with . The owner of the diner , not too surprisingly called Joe( Andy Griffith) , is a gruff finicky old grouch but has a bond with him and he tells her "i,t,s never too late" and that's the advice that forms the central precept of this film to fuzzy edged golden glowing effect.
While i would,nt go along with the opinion that this movie is hilarious - to me i,its more wryly amusing than anything - i do,nt think this prevents Waitress being a consistently enjoyable experience. The performances are uniformly terrific.Keri Russell is outstanding in the lead, fresh and pretty ( even when huffing and puffing sweatily in labour ) she radiates an innocent sex appeal . Less innocent but no less sexy is Cheryl Hines who gets most of the best comic lines. And if the ending is overly confected feel good blamange then so what? It,s that type of film.
Waitress is none the less a bitter sweet experience when you hear about the murder of Adrienne Shelley who never lived to learn of the films acceptance into the Sundance festival 2007, nor the universal praise that the film garnered on general release . Speaking as someone who has only ever liked one other romantic comedy -"When Harry Met Sally [1989] " - Waitress is something of a revelation . A heart-warming thoroughly likable pie of a movie.Sweet but not too sweet you end up queasily regretting over-indulging.
A rare treat of a film...
Review date: 2008-07-18 Rating: 8 out of 10
It reminded me of Steel Magnolias, and if that's not a compliment, I don't know what is! Yes, you do have to suspend your disbelief that she would ever marry such a horrible husband and just enjoy the film. But I loved the fact that the ending wasn't excessively saccarine.
Not one for the boys but for a girly night in its absolutely perfect. Don't expect it to be laugh out loud hillarious, its too down to earth for belly laughs. I preferred this to Juno, which was good - but this was better!
A genuinely 'nice' film
Review date: 2008-07-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
"What-a-great-momma-you're-gonna-be."
Everything about this is totally predictable and clichéd, but somehow, Waitress manages to manipulate you into thinking that 'clichedness' and 'predictableness' are good things, through the use of genuine... niceness! No wait... hear me out.
"Get lost you ol' bucket o' cheese!"
Everyone, even if the thought is right at the back of their mind, has this 'urge' to run away from their lives; to completely "start fresh"... But nobody ever does. Therefore, what Adrienne Shelly has created for us is a character who lives our dreams and feeds our fantasies.
"I don't care if you're pregnant! As long as you can fill pies and serve customers I don't care if you give birth while doin' it!"
Playing this character is Keri Russell on fine form, joined by names such as Nathan Fillon and Cheryl Hines along her road to happiness. As is highlighted in another review, what makes the cast seem so great is the screenplay... Waitress was also written by Adrienne Shelly, who in my opinion is utter genius.
"Oh my god! Dawn! Your skin actually looks like a normal person's!"
There are no visual gags in Waitress- as you're watching, you'll find yourself in hysterics, wonder how, then realize that it's all down to the terrifyingly witty screenplay. The dialogue in the scenes between the 3 waitresses can only be described as genius... I don't think I've ever laughed so much whilst watching a film!
"Don't start gettin' all nervous, an' sweet, an..." "And what?" "An nothin' just, finish your pie an' leave!"
Much in the vein of 2004's The Good girl, Waitress is a warm-hearted, low-budget, glowing pleasure that contains way more laughs and genuine emotion than a million Hollywood comedies put together! As mentioned, it somehow manages to twist all its flaws and clichés round into a totally original romantic comedy with real warmth and charm.
.....................................
Anyway, even if you're not as pleased with Waitress as I, there's something about it we have to remember. (Deep breath.) Unfortunately, during Waitress's shoot, actress / writer / director Adrienne Shelly was murdered after disputing with a construction worker over the noise he was making whilst working. Shelly was just beginning to rise in the business as one of the few successful female film directors.
May Adrienne Shelly rest in piece, and may we recognize her talents.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Keri Russell
Jeremy Sisto
Cheryl Hines
Andy Griffith
Nathan Fillion
Creators:
Keri Russell (Primary Contributor)
Jeremy Sisto (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036036733
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-04-28
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)