Waitress - quick review
 

I enjoyed this film, much more than some of the recent "blockbusters" because it focused on characters, and Keri Russell does a real nice job as Jenna and creates this character that you root for, but somehow you know she's doing some odd things like putting up with a controlling husband and has a dalliance while pregnant with her new doctor. Russell made me chuckle in her line deliveries as Jenna just schlepping through life until her pregnancy produces unexpected changes in her, in spite of her non-enthusiasm for the prospects of raising a child while in a horrible marriage. What's really impressive is how easily Russell can light up the screen when it is required for her character. Oh, and how she deals with life through her pies were nice metaphors throughout the film.

True, there are some weaknesses to the film, one being the one-dimensional controlling husband (but I see it that being Jenna's point of view for him, which allows me to accept her version of the husband and what a knuckleheaded self-involved baby of a man he is really is), and the ending is a little too convenient, but the changes brought on by motherhood is a nice development, and overcome most of the shortcomings of the film.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.

I agree completely with your thoughts, especially with how one-dimensional Jeremy Sisto's character seems to be.

I actually dug the film more than I was expecting and it's probably one of the better surprises of 2007. This is a film I hope catches an audience in it's theatrical run -- similar to Fox Searchlight's last sleeper hit (Little Miss Sunshine). It's a quirky little gem that knows how to cheer you up in the right ways.

Can't wait to see this. Hoping next week or two its playing here. On my must see list since january.

good to hear people are liking it. Fillion and Sisto rule!

prolly gonna see this in the next day or two. looks real good.

I saw it last week. Our new Sundance Theater opened last weekend and we got this film before many larger cities.

BTW, I loved it. And why has no one mentioned Andy Griffith? I liked his character and performance much more than the Alan Arkin character (although I love Alan Arkin) in the (I think) way overrated Little Miss Sunshine.

One of my favorite movies of the year so far.

Also very nice to see the dedication at the end of the credits to director Adrienne Shelley (who also played Dawn) who was murdered last year. I always stay through the credits but this time it was special as I expected to see that.

I want to see this but I'll probably be waiting for the dvd.

Another fan of this movie. Russell and Griffith should be at the Oscars next year ... but it's early yet.

I liked Russell, Fillion, Hines, and Griffith. I liked most of the script. I hated the music. All of it. The score, the pre-existing music, none of it worked. I also hated the ending.



Still, the movie was enjoyable enough, even with a fluff ending. I loved all the pie making. Made me hungry. :)

i think the whole point of the movie was fluff and homage.

this was such an enjoyable movie. i actually teared. the performances were just so good. such a sweet, sweet movie and i never use the word sweet.

the fluff was the over-the-top moments like the passionate twirling kiss or the eccentric old guy the whole movie was a cliche and that is why it was so perfect. it embraced the cliche for all its sweet glory.

Keri and Nathan really hit it out of the park. the eccentricites in this movie were definitely seen before, but Adrienne Shelley just put it all out there and told it in such a loving, touching way. it really is hard to describe, but if you want to feel good with almost a glow thereafter...see this movie!!

Just caught the film. Wow, was a sweet little movie. Wasn't it expecting it to be that good. It could be one of my favorites this year. Two thumbs way up. And I think both Keri Russell and Adrienne Shelly deserve nominations for their acting (lead and supporting).

I wonder if Andy Griffith has a chance at a nomination. I thought he was at least as good as Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine last year.

I watched this on DVD last night, and I must say, it's one of the smoothest films that I've watched in a good long while. I'm not really sure how to explain what I mean by that though. It was just a very enjoyable, very easy, watch. If you ask me, Keri Russell is well on her way to becoming one of the top actresses working today. She seems so real in her work, and I always enjoy her. It was also great to see Andy Griffith working in the film, and not just working, but giving a heck of a supporting performance.

I wouldn't be shocked to see both of them at the Oscars, at least for nominations.

It's also a shame that we'll never be able to see any new work by Adrienne Shelly. :(

I too just watched it and enjoyed it quite a bit. Nothing new to add other than it was a sweet little movie that left me with a smile -- and hungry for some pie! :)

What a charming movie this was! Keri Russell is absolutely perfect. Adrienne Shelley (R.I.P.), Cheryl Hines and Nathan Fillion provide stellar supporting work . Andy Griffith is lovable as the crumudengly owner who really cares about people underneath.

The only misstep of the film was Jeremy Sisto as the one-dimensional brute of a husband. Withn 10 seconds of his appearance in the movie, I wanted to take a baseball bat to him.

Even though I had just eaten before watching the DVD, I was hungry after seeing all of those pies.

Saw this today on rental from Netflix. Another :up: here. I plan to buy the DVD now.

meh, it was okay but not great. A little better than I expected. 3 out of 5 stars from me.

Yeah, I'm going to buy it too.