Adrienne Shelly, Andy Griffith, Cheryl Hines

WAITRESS is the story of one woman trapped in a life from which she dreams of escape. Jenna's (Russell) secret ambition is to save enough money from her waitressing job to leave her overbearing and c...( read more  read more... )ontrolling husband(Sisto). Jenna is a sharp, sassy woman with a gift for making unusual pies whose recipes are inspired by the trials, tribulations and circumstances of her life. An unwanted pregnancy changes the course of events giving her an unexpected confidence via letters to her unborn baby.

Flixster Users

67% liked it

58,690 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

158 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Adrienne Shelly

Release Date: May 2, 2007

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DVD Release Date: November 27, 2007

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Flixster Reviews (18,946)


  • September 1, 2009
    "I saw that look on a woman's face before. Her name was Annette. I made sweet sweet love to her all through the summer of 1948, and she had that look on her face all through the fall."

    Adrienne Shelly's small romantic drama was a nice surprise, although I can't say that I'll eve...( read more)r see 'Waitress' again. Shelly plays also part in the movie as the lead characters co-worker, Dawn. Those who read this review should know that Shelly was murdered after the film was completed... A tragic event, what else is there to be said.

    Keri Russell plays Jenna, an unhappy waitress who is pregnant. She works at a pie diner and makes the most unbeliavable pie's. But she wants to get out of this life and start over...

    'Waitress' is funny, touching and somewhat quirky. It's not your typical rom com with dramatic elements. It's different and much more pleasing than the Hollywood productions. This movie has heart.

    Why did I watch this then? You'd think that I'm not the targeted audience, for sure but its got Nathan Fillion in it! One of my favourites and surely one of the most underrated actors of our time. Watch 'Firefly' series and 'Serenity' and you'll know what I'm talking about...

    Andy Griffith ('Matlock') does a nice performance as the owner, Old Joe, of the diner. His dialogue, and his character, is the funniest of the bunch. Who wouldn't love an old geezer like that?

    Good acting and a surprisingly good story. That's all you need to fulfill the needs of the little optimist and romanticist in you.
  • August 24, 2009
    So cute and hilarious! I didn't want to see this at first, but I decided to go for it anyway, and I'm glad I did.
  • April 15, 2009
    Steeped in misery and phenomenal character development this movie took me totally off-guard. This film is not how some would bill it-"chick flick", it is a film to be contemplated and savored from all angles. Our main character is Jenna played flawlessly by Keri Russell. This was...( read more) a complete surprise to me as I had only heard of her from her "Felicity" fame. Jenna, trapped in a horrible relationship with Earl (Jeremy Sisto) seeks ways to escape both real and imagined. Her means of escapism and remaining sane is to visualize the most wonderful pies where she displaces her anger or builds upon her love depending on the circumstance. It sounds silly, but you must see this in action to truly understand it as it is amazingly effective. Sisto plays a very odd monster. Not your usual, abusive husband, but something maybe even more diabolical as he is impossible to put your finger on. Maybe a mix of Borderline Personality with Antisocial traits and a bit of psychosis to bring around the flavor. Nathan Fillion plays the love interest and he is marvelous as always, but the story and Russell are the stars. This movie will take you in within ten minutes and not let you go. It could have ended about 10 minutes earlier than it did with regards to plotline, but I still enjoy where it went and understand why. Seriously, this movie is one that everyone can watch. It appears to just be sugar on the outside, but inside it is bittersweet and as much as I enjoyed it I don't know that I could watch it again as it had so many moments of heart-wrenching anguish borne of real, palpable pain that you can feel it swelling through the screen. Taste this as soon as you can. I waited far too long. As a side note, to Ms. Shelly the Writer/Director, you will be missed and your senseless loss/murder is a tragedy all its own
  • February 14, 2009
    Creative, amusing, and heartwarming.
  • December 19, 2008
    For a film with so many overused film techniques, it still shines brighter than any other film this year to warm the hearts of its viewers and to generate a more than generous response from the critics. It deserves every single bit of acknowledgement it has been receiving and the...( read more)n some. This film is Adrienne Shelly's best and most accomplished work, but unfortunately, it was also her last. Shelly was murdered on November 1st, 2006 in Manhattan by an Ecuadorian teen while finishing the post-production stage of this film. It's a sad ending for the wonderful actress/director, but in her memory, this film will thrive and make many people happy. She has left us with this little masterpiece that just may be one of the best films of the year.



    It's inaccuracies and inconsistencies are indeed flaws, but it is the flaws in this film that make it so quirky that it works as a screwball comedy more-so than a drama. All of the characters in this film are quirky people at times except for Jenna (Russell)'s husband Earl (Sisto). He's the one character that adds a dramatic and dark side to the film. The scenes with him are so evil compared to the rest of the film that it makes such a strong contrast in Jenna's character when she's with Dr. Pomatter (Fillion) compared to her husband. The humour is subtle, so it's not a hilarious comedy, but definitely one that will make you laugh a little and smile inside.



    It's brilliantly written and acted, and this is shown to full extent in the character of Jenna. Russell gives a fantastic Oscar-worthy performance in her portrayal of this pregnant, pie-making waitress. As one of the best written characters of the year, Jenna makes it awfully hard to dislike her. Everything she does and everything that happens to her are very realistic (in one way or another) and familiar, which let's the audience sympathize with her. This great main character makes this movie. Cheryl Hines and Andy Griffith also offered memorable roles.



    The ending to this film is very uplifting and it helps you understand that this movie wasn't just about a pregnant woman trying to escape with a charming doctor from her abusive husband to make pies for the rest of her life... her story was a message to all women, showing them that there is and always will be opportunities for them in life... that they are important. Adrienne Shelly will be missed greatly and luckily for us, she left us with a terrific film that will be remembered for a long time. Check this film out, everyone. It should not be missed.
  • November 1, 2009
    pretty original, a cute film
  • October 30, 2009
    This movie was alright but not as good as I hoped it would be
  • October 28, 2009
    !Comercial or Stupid! :|
  • October 28, 2009
    A quirky film and amusing at times. Not that bad.
  • October 24, 2009
    This movie was very cute and quirky. I thought it was very funny at times, the humor is a little different then what you would normally see in a movie. However sometimes it came off a little cheesy. Let's just come out and say it, her husband was abusive. Why did know one do any...( read more)thing about it? Why didn't the friends say something, or what about when he blew up at the diner, shouldn't someone have called the cops? I was very surprised to not see that happen.

    Other than that, I really liked the character Joe played by Andy Griffith. He would have made a good friend. Didn't take crap from no one, but funny as hell and super sweet although he would never show you. One of my fave lines from the film was when he asked Jenna (Keri Russell) if she wanted him to read her horoscope for her. She answers no, and he replies "Too Bad". And then proceeds to read it anyway. I loved that part. Thought it was funny.

    So overall I liked it. I think its worth a see.

Critic Reviews


August 10, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

You need a hard stomach sometimes in American romcoms. Equally, though, you'd need a hard heart not to love the good humour, good intentions and grace-of-style of Adrienne Shelly's farewell film. full review

May 11, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Waitress is sweet, uneven and, ultimately, a heartbreaker. full review

May 10, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

A blissfully daft ensemble comedy. full review

May 5, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

A bright , easy to like technicolored comedy that details the simple truths of trying to find happiness when you live in nowheresville and everyone is in your shit. full review

May 2, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Though some aspects feel like a sitcom, Waitress doesn't adhere to formula or resort to clichés. It's a rare chick flick that draws us in with its wit, warmth and quirkily appealing characters. full review

May 2, 2007
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

With Waitress, Adrienne Shelly tamed and shaped realism, finding a perfect, difficult-to-achieve balance of enchantment and plausibility.

May 2, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

There are times when the spirit of a movie is enough to get you gliding over its obvious flaws. Waitress, which was directed by the late Adrienne Shelly, is one of those pictures. full review

May 1, 2007
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Shelly's death makes me want to treat this movie with kid gloves, to root for it, turn it into something more than it is. full review

April 30, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

An overstuffed, overcooked pie -- too ungainly to eat all of, too generous to pass up, too heartbreaking to contemplate for long. full review

April 20, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's impossible to ignore the tragic fact that last November, at age forty, Shelly was murdered. It is some solace, though, to know that Waitress is her buoyant legacy. full review

View more Waitress reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • soadrocks125
    October 17, 2008
    May Adrienne Shelly rest in peace.
  • CamieJ
    August 28, 2008
    I love this movie its so realistic yet awesome and yeah!
  • suprabuddha
    July 21, 2008
    Sweet sassy and sexy!!! like one of Jenna's pies a perfect blend of humour and conflict. Can anyone out there actually bake the pies featured in the film??? If so CONTACT me immediately.
  • tombriggs15
    March 23, 2008
    This movie is soo shit, avoid seeing it at all cost.
  • nbhatti3000
    February 15, 2008
    just for passing time movie
  • GymNetic25
    January 18, 2008
    When the movie first started it was a bit slow and taken aback by how the storyline itself was already happening so quickly to the main character. But when this movie started going it was great to watch. After watching this I found out about the tragic story and I have to say what a shame it is that we have lost such a wonderful and artistic person. She really did make her vision for this movie come to life. What happened to Adrienne Shelly is more than sad it's awful. My thoughts and prayers are with her. For the cast itself for this movie was fantastic. Keri Russell really did shine in her role. It was also great to see Andy Griffith in this along with Cheryl Hines. Nathan Fillion who is such a qt is a great actor also in this film. The rich jerk from the movie "Cluless" Jeremy Sisto did a a wonderful portrayal of being the "husband you would want to leave". My favorite part of this film was when Kerri would just randomly create various recipes for pies in her head. 4 stars
  • Appledumplin4593
    January 17, 2008
    Like to watch Keri Russell & Jeremy Sisto...should be funny!
  • freedome2all
    January 16, 2008
    nice verry nice
  • imshy004
  • gamblert
    December 26, 2007
    Download this movie from the best torrent tracker

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Waitress Trivia


  • What did Sarah Connor work as before the Terminator arrived from the future?  Answer »
  • In Erin Brockovich, When Julia Roberts is in a restaurant with her kids, the real Erin Brockovich appears in a cameo as what?  Answer »
  • What actress made her movie debut as the waitress in Rain Man? (when Raymond has pancakes and drops the toothpicks) Hint: did voice in Cars.  Answer »
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