Waitress (2007)

Last updated on: June 24, 2014 at 10:56 pm by Jeffrey Overstreet

Waitress (2007) 2014-06-24T22:56:10-06:00 Jeffrey Overstreet

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Fans of Firefly and Serenity, don’t despair. The charismatic Nathan Fillion may have a bright big-screen future ahead of him.

In Waitress, Fillion is fantastic as Dr. Pomatter, the amorous doctor who comes to the rescue when a pregnant and perturbed young beauty named Jenna, played by Keri Russell, finds herself in a nightmare marriage.

But there’s a problem. Both Jenna and her good doctor are married — Jenna to a hard-hearted, self-absorbed monster called Earl (Jeremy Sisto), and Pomatter to… well, that’s a mystery until the film’s closing scenes.

What are these two lovebirds going to do? Most Hollywood storytellers would shrug and say, “What do you mean? They’ll leave their marriages, of course! And they’ll follow their hearts!”

But that’s not good enough for actress/writer/director Adrienne Shelley, who gives us a more complicated, realistic, and insightful portrayal. While she does not for a moment ignore the allure of extramarital affairs, Shelley is also mature enough to know that divorce is often just a flight from the hard work of love, a run from one set of troubles to another.

Don’t worry — the conclusion is satisfying and even a little surprising. And all 104 minutes of this smart, engaging comedy are full of sweetness and heart, like blueberries packed in a fresh blueberry pie. Russell proves a delightful leading lady. Her supporting cast delivers an array of colorful characters. And Andy Griffith… yes, that Andy Griffith, almost steals the show.

Did I mention the pie? Russell plays a pie-making genius, and Shelley makes sure that we’re treated to eyefuls of pie… more varieties of pie than you knew were possible. There’s just no choice about what to do after the movie is over — get out there, find your favorite pie shop, and indulge.

If the film has a weakness… well, okay, the film has several weaknesses.

Jenna’s bone-headed husband may have plenty of real-world clones, but in this movie he’s just a little too simple, a little too easy to hate. And we’re never given much of a clue about why Jenna ever married Earl in the first place. (I mean, Jenna does bear some of the responsibility for the mess she’s in, yes?)

Further, well… Shelley will be remembered for her humor and her characters, but probably not for how her films look. Matthew Irving’s cinematography is… functional.

But it’s tough to be tough on Waitress. I became a fan of this filmmaker watching Hal Hartley’s fantastic comedy The Unbelievable Truth, in which Shelley had the lead role. Waitress is her third and final directorial effort. She was murdered before the film was released. That fact makes makes viewing this warm, thoughtful, occasionally hilarious romantic comedy a rather bittersweet experience.

But let’s be grateful and celebrate Shelley’s style, sense of humor, and storytelling. Her radiant spirit shines through this movie.

•

Writer / director – Adrienne Shelly; director of photography – Matthew Irving; editor – Annette Davey; music – Andrew Hollander; production designer – Ramsey Avery; producer – Michael Roiff. Starring – Keri Russell (Jenna), Nathan Fillion (Dr. Pomatter), Cheryl Hines (Becky), Adrienne Shelly (Dawn), Eddie Jemison (Ogie), Lew Temple (Cal), Jeremy Sisto (Earl) and Andy Griffith (Old Joe).Fox Searchlight Pictures. 104 minutes. Rated PG-13 for some sex and some foul language.

Previous Post

December 10, 2007

Catholic Bishops Withdraw Review of "The Golden Compass"

Next Post

December 11, 2007 Mr. Lazarescu is Dead

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog Bloggers on "Through a Screen Darkly" Browser Coming Soon Endorsements Fiction Books Film Forum Film Reviews Inspirations Interviews Journal Kindlings Muse Movie buzz Music Reviews Non-Fiction Books radio Reviewers on "Through a Screen Darkly" The Auralia Thread Through a Screen Darkly Through a Screen Darkly - Bonus Materials Top 10 (or 20 or 100) lists Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 July 2003 May 2003 March 2003 September 1999

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who wrote many of the Psalms?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Moses Solomon Paul