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Waitress
(2007)
 
When my friend asked me to write a review of this film, I was somewhat skeptical. I had heard good things about it and was more then willing to see it, but I was afraid it would just fall into the "chick flick" category reserved for nights where the only men that matter are Ben & Jerry. I was very surprised, just after the first few minutes, at how well done this film really is. While it contains the ingredients of a familiar formula, the film turns out to be as fresh and creative as one of Jenna Hunterson's pies.
The movie follows the life of a young waitress/pie inventor, Jenna Hunterson (Keri Russell). She is married to an all round unlikeable guy, Earl (Jeremy Sisto), and finds herself suddenly pregnant, and very unhappy about it. At the restaurant where she works, she also invents new pies, each being a sort of venting system for her during life's pleasantries and pitfalls. Every time something significant happens in the plot, she serves up another recipe. It makes for a quirky and funny addition to the narrative of the film.
Soon she visits the doctor to get a check up, and discovers that there is a new doctor on duty, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion). There are immediate sparks between them, and Jenna's resentment for her baby and for Earl drives her forward into an affair with the handsome new doctor.
Another interesting addition to the narrative is Jenna's baby diary, where she writes entries to her unborn child. While the film is mostly light-hearted, there is a sense of real darkness in the diary, of real honesty, which makes the film really stand on its own. The diary entries change as Jenna grows through the story, becoming more hopeful, personal, and an analysis of how she really feels. It's an interesting addition to the film, and allows the audience to experience Jenna's growth throughout the story.
Keri Russell is excellent as Jenna Hunterson. Her vivaciousness and honesty make her the perfect protagonist. We can feel bad for her, but also relate, and sometimes we can shake our heads and think, "I would have done the same thing." Jenna is a delicate character. She is humble, but not a door mat (except with Earl, who she resents). She is inventive, and so is Russell. Russell provides us with a steady performance and allows Jenna space to evolve. As that evolution occurs, Russell is sublime. She made the movie enjoyable and unique, when it could have been cliché.
Nathan Fillion is amusing as Dr. Pomatter. The chemistry between his character and Russell really adds to the film. He plays Pomatter with great insecurity, a foil to Jenna's inner confidence. He is fidgety and nervous, and it adds humor to the situation that might otherwise feel very inappropriate.
Jenna's coworkers, Becky and Dawn (Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Shelly) are a welcome little duo. They constantly advise Jenna, and both have romantic side stories within the main plot. The great thing about them is they don't distract from the story or clutter it up. They add a lot of humor, and allow Jenna to learn from them, and add the necessary layers to the film.
Another heartfelt and good performance comes from Andy Griffith, the owner of the diner where Jenna works. He is the typical grouchy old man, but Jenna brings out sweetness in him as the movie progresses. It's corny, but humorous at the same time (thanks to Shelly's clever script).
The only issue I really have with the characterization is with Jenna's husband Earl. While all the other characters are interesting and complex, he seems to be a little too simple. He is just about as likeable as a blaring car horn (a noise he's often associated with in the film). He is as needy and selfish as a bratty child, and Jenna's tolerance of him seems saint-like. Clearly the story needs a bad guy, but I feel like his characterization was a bit too simple for the depth of the script.
Overall, Adrienne Shelly's script does so much in many little ways. The side narratives and supporting roles really had flavor to a story that could have been too corny to tolerate. Jenna is an interesting character, and her quirks and dialogue make her so. It's tragic to think such a talented writer and director couldn't go on to do more movies.
-Conor Aylsworth
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Adrienne Shelly
Writer: Adrienne Shelly
Starring: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Jeremy Sisto, Andy Griffith, Adrienne Shelly
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Runtime: 108
min
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: May 25, 2007
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