Waitress

A bittersweet comedy that tragically proved to be the swan song for director/actress Adrienne Shelley, murdered in 2006, Waitress follows a young woman working in a di... more >

A bittersweet comedy that tragically proved to be the swan song for director/actress Adrienne Shelley, murdered in 2006, Waitress follows a young woman working in a diner who suddenly discovers she is pregnant by her abusive husband. Although loath to have the baby, she suddenly discovers a new lease of life, embarking on an affair with the town doctor. She yearns to enter a baking competition, and starts an unlikely friendship with the elderly owner of the diner chain.

In an appealing conceit, as with Like Water for Chocolate, the heroine’s moods inspire her pies; for instance her ‘I Hate My Husband’ pie consists of bitter chocolate smothered in caramel. Keri Russell is superb in the lead role as a believable character whose human foibles make her even more likeable, and the audience roots for her all the way; Russell’s reaction when she first looks down at her baby is brilliantly acted and unexpected. There are excellent supporting performances, too, from Curb Your Enthusiam’s Cheryl Hines and Shelley herself as Shelley’s garrulous colleagues. A real winner, with a lovely parting shot. < less

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DVD Extras

• Commentary by Producer Michael Roiff and Actress Keri Russell
• Making of Featurette
• Memorial to Director Adrienne Shelly.

Film Details

Cast

Keri Russell, Adrienne Shelly

Technical Details