Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13492 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-04-28
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 103 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Much like the films of Hal Hartley, Waitress is funny in a deadpan sort of way, but a sadness lurks below the surface. After making a splash in Hartley's The Unbelievable Truth and Trust, Adrienne Shelly turned to directing with Sudden Manhattan and I'll Take You There. Set in a small Southern town, her third picture revolves around waitress Jenna (Felicity's radiant Keri Russell), who works at Joe's Pie Diner (Joe is played by Andy Griffith). Jenna is the pastry genius who makes Joe's joint shine. Her co-workers include the forthright Becky (Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and insecure Dawn (Shelly). All three have man trouble, but Jenna has it the worst. Her husband, Earl (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under), treats her like a piece of property. When she finds out she's pregnant, Jenna fears she'll be stuck with him forever. Then, she develops a crush on her married obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion, Serenity). With the aid of her fanciful confections, like peachy keen tarts, their flirtation develops into a full-blown affair. It appears to be a no-win situation, but Shelly finds an empowering way to bring this bittersweet story to a close. If the candy-coloured conclusion plays more like fantasy than reality, it's a fantasy worth embracing. Sadly, Shelly was murdered before Waitress ever saw the light of day (leaving behind a husband and child of her own). Fortunately, her final film is far more life-affirming than morose, although it does end with the word "goodbye." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Synopsis
This charming comedy from late director-writer-actress Adrienne Shelly is the perfect mix of sweet and sour. FELICITY'S Keri Russell stars as Jenna, a waitress stuck in a marriage to a less-than-lovable lout (Jeremy Sisto, SIX FEET UNDER). When she learns she's pregnant with his baby, she seeks solace in two things: pie-baking and an extramarital affair with her hunky but nervous Doctor. Jenna's relationship with Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion, SERENITY) gives her something to look forward to as her husband grows ever more controlling and her baby bump gets larger. Like Jenna's perfect pie recipes, WAITRESS is a heavenly combination of ingredients. The stellar cast also features Shelly, Cheryl Hines (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), and Andy Griffith. Griffith is a particular treat as the cantankerous owner of the restaurant where Jenna works. Eddie Jemison (OCEAN'S 11) is also a highlight as an overeager poetry-penning suitor to Shelly's character. Just like in SLITHER and FIREFLY, the charming Fillion proves that he should be far more famous than he is. Each of the talented actors is given funny and genuine lines from Shelly’s script, elevating both the cast and the material. Like LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, WAITRESS may not be the most original of indie films. But thanks to a great cast, gorgeous cinematography, and a warm and witty script, this is a film that deserves the accolades that LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE earned.

Customer Reviews

A genuinely 'nice' film
"What-a-great-momma-you're-gonna-be."

Everything about this is totally predictable and clichéd, but somehow, Waitress manages to manipulate you into thinking that 'clichedness' and 'predictableness' are good things, through the use of genuine... niceness! No wait... hear me out.

"Get lost you ol' bucket o' cheese!"

Everyone, even if the thought is right at the back of their mind, has this 'urge' to run away from their lives; to completely "start fresh"... But nobody ever does. Therefore, what Adrienne Shelly has created for us is a character who lives our dreams and feeds our fantasies.

"I don't care if you're pregnant! As long as you can fill pies and serve customers I don't care if you give birth while doin' it!"

Playing this character is Keri Russell on fine form, joined by names such as Nathan Fillon and Cheryl Hines along her road to happiness. As is highlighted in another review, what makes the cast seem so great is the screenplay... Waitress was also written by Adrienne Shelly, who in my opinion is utter genius.

"Oh my god! Dawn! Your skin actually looks like a normal person's!"

There are no visual gags in Waitress- as you're watching, you'll find yourself in hysterics, wonder how, then realize that it's all down to the terrifyingly witty screenplay. The dialogue in the scenes between the 3 waitresses can only be described as genius... I don't think I've ever laughed so much whilst watching a film!

"Don't start gettin' all nervous, an' sweet, an..." "And what?" "An nothin' just, finish your pie an' leave!"

Much in the vein of 2004's The Good girl, Waitress is a warm-hearted, low-budget, glowing pleasure that contains way more laughs and genuine emotion than a million Hollywood comedies put together! As mentioned, it somehow manages to twist all its flaws and clichés round into a totally original romantic comedy with real warmth and charm.

.....................................

Anyway, even if you're not as pleased with Waitress as I, there's something about it we have to remember. (Deep breath.) Unfortunately, during Waitress's shoot, actress / writer / director Adrienne Shelly was murdered after disputing with a construction worker over the noise he was making whilst working. Shelly was just beginning to rise in the business as one of the few successful female film directors.

May Adrienne Shelly rest in piece, and may we recognize her talents.

Another reason to enjoy pie ...
I actually went to London to see this film in the cinema, as it wasn't coming to my local fleapit, and I wasn't disappointed. It is a sweet film, with sufficient dark moments (particularly around the husband) to offset any tenedency towards saccharin. Keri Russell is excellent in the title role, ably supported by Nathan Fillion (a favourite of mine and the reason I saw the film in the first place) as her married OBGYN with whom she starts an affair. Taking place over the months between finding out about the pregnancy and the birth, the end is bittersweet, although as an optimist I think she meets him down the road ... but you'll have to buy the DVD to see what I'm talking about! And do buy it ... like the pies, it satisfies!

Sweet, Heartwarming and Genuinely Moving
Waitress is a real gem of a film. Its one of those rare treats that comes along every year - an indie film with a big heart that captures the attention and the admiration of its audience - and is well worth seeing.

The film stars Keri Russell - of TV's Felicity - as Jenna, a waitress living in the south who has a passion for baking pies that are loved by all who eat them. She has a real talent for this and would like nothing more than to gather enough money to open up her very own pie shop and do what she loves most.

However, there is one major problem. She is married to a man she doesn't love, Earl, who she says was much different before they got married. She lives in fear of him and his controlling nature - he forces her to give him all of her wages and will not let her have her own car - and wishes she could escape from her unhappy home.

Keri Russell's performance as Jenna is so outstanding and it is surprising that she was not recognised when the Golden Globes and the Oscars came around. She is so tragically sweet and sympathetic, trapped in a loveless relationship with a man who has made her feel completely worthless.

Things take a further turn for the worse when Jenna finds out that she is pregnant. Jenna's initial shock turns to resentment as she feels that she'll never be free of the restrictions imposed by Earl and the further complications of having his baby. She decides to try and save up enough money, compete in a out of state pie contest, hopefully win the cash prize and move away for good.

After meeting Jim Pomatter (Nathan Fillion), the new doctor in town who is assigned to look after her during her pregnancy, Jenna finds herself drawn to the man and vice versa. The two begin a passionate affair and even begin to think about running away together. However, he is married too. The pair have to make a choice: stay together and run away or face the problems at home before it is too late.

Jenna's friends at the diner - Dawn and Becky - give her a baby book as a present which asks the mother to write a letter to her unborn child to tell it how she is feeling. Jenna's angry yet poignant attempts at drafting the letter are heartbreaking and moving, showcasing Russell's great performance and her versatility as an actress.

The story - written by Adrienne Shelly who co-stars as Dawn and was tragically murdered soon after the film was completed - plays out beautifully as it progresses towards the dénouement where Jenna ultimately discovers her true feelings for Earl, Jim and her baby. The ending is truly bittersweet on a number of levels and completes the story perfectly.

If you would like to see a film that warms the heart, makes you truly feel for the characters involved, makes you alarmingly hungry - Jenna's pies will have you salivating by the first ten minutes of the film - and leaves a final, lovely taste in your mouth by the end, then Waitress is the film for you. Waitress was criminally overlooked at all of the major awards ceremonies, but now is your chance to experience a film with a big heart which had a lot of love put into by it by writer/director Adrienne Shelly, who actually wrote the screenplay whilst pregnant with her daughter.

This is a true gem of a film and deserves your firm and undivided attention. Heartfelt, original and sweet till the last, it will only leave you wanting more.