Waitress (DVD, 2009, Widescreen; Spa Cash)

This movie almost remind me of the TV sitcom Alice: set in a small, out-of-the-way diner run by a cranky head cook with a heart of gold, and staffed by a trio of waitresses, the brash Blondie Southern one, the child-like and naive one, and the level-headed single mom (or mom-to-be, in this case), along with the typical assortment of wacky and colorful customers. Writer/director Adrienne Shelly manages to take this template and make something wonderful from it, however. Far from being a mere remake of Alice, Waitress is a well-conceived and well-executed exploration of one woman's fight to come into her own and realize her dreams, despite the bad choices and wrong decisions she's made along the way that weigh her down.

What truly sets this movie apart from most other big-screen fare is the script. The dialogue, written by Adrienne Shelly - who also directed and co-stars as Dawn, the mousy waitress who eventually finds true love - sparkles with wit, charm and humor. It's fast and it's funny, but it always feels totally natural, due in no small part, of course, to the talents of the actors and actresses charged with delivering it. Unlike the writing in, say, Gilmore Girls, widely praised for it's unique character, the dialogue in Waitress never seems forced or unnatural. It's brilliant without being obtrusive.

My only downsize to this film is the fact that the "men are dogs" message is a little heavy-handed. Without exception, all the male characters in Waitress are presented as either mean, like Earl (Jeremy Sisto), unprincipled, like Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion), or just plain weird, like Ogie(Eddie Jemison's). Even Joe (Andy Griffith), who turns out to be truly kind and caring, is shown throughout most of the film to be abrasive and demanding, to the point that long-suffering Jenna is the only person who can deal with him and is truly his only friend. This is obviously a film made by a woman, primarily for a female audience, but one can't help but think that if a man made a film in which all the female characters were nothing but gold-digging, abusive, sluts, there would be a serious, if well-deserved, backlash.

Waitress is a good movie that is well worth seeing. It's tragic that Shelly, who was brutally murdered in November 2006, won't be making any further films, as this movie will no doubt bring awareness of the writer/director's impressive talents to a much wider audience than ever before. Fortunately, Waitress is a fitting memorial by which to be remembered.

Some of you may recognize Keri Russell from her role on, "Felicity" but this is by far one of her best performances. This story about a small town waitress married to a needy, abusive, obnoxious husband...working at a pie shop is heartfelt and touching. The story takes twists and turns that you never see coming and taps the softy button inside us all. If you want to laugh, and smile and even tear up a time or two you should watch this movie and enjoy all the delcious ingredients from the writing, to the acting and the hidden lessons to be learned. Loved it!

this movie is a must see for any fan of mr. Fillion. I am a follower of all his movies and he once again shows his talent to be anything in Waitress. Kerri Russel was a good choice to play Jenna and all the other cast members were believable in the roles they play. The movie was a laugh although it isn't very believable and I know a lot of people were very mad at the ending. I thought it was a perfect ending, it couldn't have ended any other way. Over all I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a semi dark comedy and feels like they want to escape for a while.

Written and Directed by Adrienne Shelly. A movie that grows on you. Not just a movie about the life of a waitress, but a movie about how a girl sees life through her talent of making pies. It shows the apprehension of her inpending birth of her baby and the heplessness of being with a controlling husband. A very happy ending when she sees her baby for the first time.

This movie is empowering, thoughtful, inspiring, and funny. Everyone has or knows someone who has an "Earl" in their life. It makes you remember why you love being a woman, a friend, and a mother. Adrienne Shelley was beautiful as an actress/ and writer in this film. She was tragically murdered shortly before the release, and never got to enjoy touching so many people. She once once quoted as saying, " This movie is a love-letter to my daughter."
A must see for anyone who is pregnant, lost, or broken. There's always a way to START FRESH.