WAITRESS

ThomasC · 04-19-2007, 10:12 PM

I was able to watch this tonight thanks to Columbus's Deep Focus Film Festival. Waitress was directed by the late Adrienne Shelly, who plays a supporting role in the film. I had seen the trailer a few times beforehand, and it looked a fun movie with the presence of Nathan Fillion. I only found out today that it was playing tonight. Waitress seems like it may only get a limited release, so I jumped at the chance to see it.

The following review may reveal spoilers, but the spoilers were revealed in the trailer.

Keri Russell plays Jenna, the waitress stuck with the stereotypical mean, controlling husband (Earl, played by Jeremy Sisto). She finds out that she's pregnant, but she's not particularly happy about it. Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion) treats her throughout her pregnancy, and they have an affair. Keri and Nathan have a great chemistry, and it was always nice to see them together.

Two things brought down the movie for me:

1. Earl, a stereotype that we've seen too many times and he drags the movie down every time he's mentioned or on screen.

2. The abrupt ending. I think you'll know what I mean if you see it.

Other than those two things, the rest of the movie is terrific. Keri shined all throughout the movie with her wonderful acting, Nathan brought some of his wonderful charisma from Captain Malcolm Reynolds of Firefly/Serenity and the supporting cast is great.

Waitress is good enough for a matinee viewing or a movie rental.

Grade: B-

todd s · 04-30-2007, 11:27 AM

My wife and I were fortunate enough to have attended the premier and after-party for the new movie "Waitress". Starring Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion and Jeremy Sisto. The movie was written, directed and acted in by the late Adrienne Shelly. She was tragically murdered in her apartment last November. The story follows Jenna (Russell) who is trapped in a love-less marriage to Earl (Sisto). She finds out she is pregnant and is not happy about it. She is also a an amazing pie maker. And makes up new pies to follow her moods. She meets her new doctor(Fillion) whom she soon develops a relationship with. The movie was very good. And I would definitely recommend it. Also look for funny performances by Eddie Jemison and Andy Griffith. This was the movie that was really going to launch Adrienne Shelly's career. What a tragic loss her death was. But, as her husband said before the movie. I am sure she is watching and smiling at the success the movie has had so far.

Here are some pics from the premier...

Nathan Fillion

Eddie Jemison, Keri Russell, the movies producer and Nathan Fillion

Not in the movie. But at the premier...

Paul Rudd

Emmanuel Chiriqui

ThomasC · 04-30-2007, 11:37 AM

Nice! I created a thread for this earlier:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d.php?t=255433

Michael Reuben · 04-30-2007, 11:42 AM

Merged. I'm looking forward to this next weekend.

M.

todd s · 04-30-2007, 12:40 PM

Sorry about the dupe thread. Michael, You will enjoy the movie. Here are some more pics from the premier & after-party...

**HTF Ads**

ThomasC · 04-30-2007, 01:26 PM

A pic with Keri? You are one lucky, lucky man.

todd s · 04-30-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

A pic with Keri? You are one lucky, lucky man.

Thanks. She is VERY pregnant and is due in a few weeks. But, she looked great.

Patrick Sun · 05-19-2007, 05:41 PM

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+.

Larry Sutliff · 05-19-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

enjoyed this film, much more than some of the recent "blockbusters"

Agreed, Patrick. This was the best film I've seen so far this year.

Steve...O · 06-02-2007, 01:14 AM

My wife and I finally got to see this tonight and we both thought it was the best movie we'd seen in a long, long time. I love movies that are character driven and that's exactly what this is. A wonderful script and a great cast combined to make this an enjoyable view. The theater was full and the audience was very much into it, laughing throughout and reacting audibly to the mean husband's foul deeds.

The reviews I've read have mentioned the inspired casting of Andy Griffith and I agree. Given his recent health issues this could very well prove to be his final on screen role and he gives a delightful performance that combines the folksiness of Andy Taylor with the crankiness of Ben Matlock. He also says a lot of things you wouldn't expect Andy to say. No foul language, just observations on life situations that never quite occured in Mayberry.

I'll also give a shout out to Cheryl Hines who proves she is capable of much more than just being Mrs. Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Steve

Holadem · 06-02-2007, 11:45 AM

Griffith's unsettlingly perceptive curmudgeon with a heart was a riot.

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H