Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and thematic elements.108 Minutes
Written and Directed By: Adrienne Shelly
I could find the whole meaning of life in those sad eyes. -Dr. Pomatter
Synopsis
Jenna is finds herself in an unplanned pregnancy, by her controlling husband. A waitress in the south, she hopes to use her gift at pie making to help her escape the world she finds herself stuck in.
Review
In the first scene Keri Russell has you as Jenna Hunterson. Her sparkling eyes that are so incredibly expressive emote the complexity of her character and the challenges she will face throughout the movie. With a tone immediately set, this quirky tale about love, life, and the curve balls it throws at you was a sweet story that balances real life and it’s hopes and dreams eloquently.
The realism of her situation and her character is easy to empathize with and her choices from then on seem only natural. When she meets her charming and bumbling new OBGYN played by Nathan Fillion their chemistry is palpable. Right down to Jenna’s indifference to the baby growing in her, to the complacency of her situation, she still allows herself to have hope and dreams no matter how big and how small. When she loses that hope herself, the relationships and people she affected around her give a believable yet heartfelt support.
The fact that there was no real villain outside of Earl, and even his pathetic behavior was occasionally sympathetic. No one was perfect or a saint, they were just normal people trying to get by. Waitress pulled all these realistic characters and situations together and managed to create a delightful story that had the power to make you laugh and cry. It was simply pure enjoyment, even in it’s saddest moments.
Cast
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Keri Russell as Jenna Hunterson
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Nathan Fillion as Dr. Pomatter
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Cheryl Hines as Becky
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Jeremy Sisto as Earl Hunterson
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Andy Griffith as old Joe
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Adrienne Shelly as Dawn
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Eddie Jemison as Ogie
Keri Russell was phenomenal. Her performance was enchanting. She could make you laugh or cry with the most subtle of looks. She truly became Jenna Hunterson and made her a woman that showed we all have something incredible about each of us that makes us special. Her relationship with Dr. Pomatter was one that may have been construed as wrong, but somehow felt so right. The intimate gentleness they shared was a pleasure to watch. It reminds me why I like Nathan Fillion so much, and hope to see more of him. Andy Griffith’s cameo as Old Joe brought some of the best, not to mention funny, moments of the film. His performance as the “grumpy” old man was heartfelt. When Jenna opens his card at the end it actually brought tears to my eyes.Ratings And Suggestions
Waitress was a charming story about the every man. It was incredibly easy to relate to the characters, their situations, and the way the film resolved itself. It was pure delight to sit threw a film with such great performances and such honesty that really said something worth listening to. It’s message and it’s delivery were impeccable. Everything about this film is everything other mainstream romantic dramedy’s are missing. I absolutely adored this film. Three out of Four Stars.
I just watched this movie for the first time last night and I loved it. I had no idea nathan fillion was in it until i started watching it but him being in it made the movie sooooo much more enjoyable!!!