Waitress (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Adrienne Shelly

Writer:

Adrienne Shelly (written by)

Release Date:

25 May 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

If only life were as easy as pie.

Plot:

Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

Plot Keywords:

Waitress | Doctor | Diner | Pregnancy | Baby

Awards:

5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Keri Russell	...	Jenna Hunterson
Nathan Fillion	...	Dr. Jim Pomatter
Cheryl Hines	...	Becky
Jeremy Sisto	...	Earl Hunterson
Andy Griffith	...	Old Joe
Adrienne Shelly	...	Dawn
Eddie Jemison	...	Ogie
Lew Temple	...	Cal
Darby Stanchfield	...	Francine Pomatter
Heidi Sulzman	...	Exhausted Mother
Lauri Johnson	...	Nurse Norma
Sarah Hunley	...	Dr. Lily Mueller
Cindy Drummond	...	Hospital Nurse
Nathan Dean	...	Minister
Caroline Fogarty	...	Doctor's Assistant

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:15A | UK:12A | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:12 | Germany:6 | Sweden:7 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-7 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

The Halfway House Cafe, Saugus, California, USA

Company:

Night and Day Pictures

Trivia:

Release prints were delivered to theaters with the fake title 'Broken Dishes'.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Joe orders his lunch, he distinctly asks for two glasses of water with no ice to be brought to the table before the orange juice and the meal. However, when Jenna brings two glasses of water, one orange juice, pie and tomato, Joe complains about the ice, and the fact that Jenna did not bring salt and pepper to the table - but does not criticize the fact that Jenna brought the whole order together, rather than separately as he had instructed.

Quotes:

Jenna: I was addicted to saying things and having them matter to someone.

Movie Connections:

References Modern Times (1936)

Soundtrack:

OVERTURE, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Spontaneous Poetry

Greetings again from the darkness. Very personal and intimate story from the very talented Adrienne Shelly. Ms. Shelly was tragically murdered before the film was released, but what a legacy and gift she left for her husband, daughter and film lovers.

Keri Russell ("Felicity") stars as Jenna, a fabulous pie maker who is a lost soul married to the world's worst husband - played brilliantly by Jeremy Sisto. She works at a diner with her two friends played wonderfully by the bubbly Cheryl Hines and the film's writer and director, Adrienne Shelly. The relationship between these three is very realistic, touching and entertaining. They love and cherish each other.

Outstanding support from Eddie Jemison ("Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen"), Nathan Fillian ("Serenity") and the great Andy Griffith, who has some great lines and definitely should work more often!! Jemison's spontaneous poetry capture the heart of Ms. Shelly's character and Fillian's Dr. Pomatter shows Russell what it is like to be adored, rather than abused.

This is not slick Hollywood film-making. It is quirky ... just like real life. These are characters, who for the most part, make the best of their situations. Every now and then, if we are lucky, we capture a moment of pure bliss ... whether it is in the selfless hug from another, or the miracle of childbirth. The script analyzes loneliness and bad relationships with a twist of humor and much insight.

While it is heart-breaking that Ms. Shelly did not live to see the final product, we see her heart and soul on screen. And don't miss her real daughter (Sophie Ostrey) as Ms. Russell's 3 year old LuLu. This is a wonderful little film with some terrific moments and a nice message to enjoy your life.