Waitress

FLICK Like the varieties of pies displayed in the film, Waitress is a luscious pastry that is both tart and appetizing. Reminiscent of Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, but told with a touch of fantasy, there are three waitresses, played by Keri Russell, Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), and writer-director Adrienne Shelly, who work in a diner and are looking for love. The focus of the film is on Jenna, played by Russell, who has a twinkle in her eye that helps balance the serious and lighter moments. Like the delicious fillings within the wide assortment of unusually-named pies baked by Jenna and sold at the diner (one being "I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie"), she has a sweet heart, but struggles to escape the confinements of her life. Baking pies is an expressive and creative way for the pregnant Jenna to deal with the abuses she suffers from her husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto) and the frustrations of the unattainable Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion), the captivating but married obstetrician with whom she’s having an affair. As the crusty old man who owns the diner, Andy Griffith takes a liking to Jenna and offers her perspective and possibilities. Like her pies, it’s what’s inside that counts. And Jenna’s charm is irresistible and bubbling to the top. Screened closing night at the Philadelphia Film Festival, April 18, 2007. My Score: 7.5 out of 10.

The sad story behind the film is that actress-director-screenwriter Adrienne Shelly was murdered on November 1, 2006, two months before her film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In her memory, a non-profit organization, The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, was created to support projects by female filmmakers and lend other means of assistance. Visit the website at the link below.

http://www.adrienneshellyfoundation.org/