Waitress

Writer/director Adrienne Shelly was murdered shortly after completing this romantic comedy. She has left behind a small, impeccable gem of indie filmmaking that works on the viewer like a sumptuous pie: it sweetens the heart while enriching the soul. Behind all the folksy quirks and playful laughter is a real story about flawed human beings that is more complex and unpredictable than one might expect.

Keri Russell gives a star-making performance as Jenna, a lonely “pie-genius” waitress who’s married to a childish, self-absorbed husband (Jeremy Sisto). He gets Jenna drunk one night, which leads to her becoming pregnant (making this the second refreshing comedy about unwanted pregnancy now in theaters—alongside Knocked Up). She begins having an affair with her charmingly befuddled doctor (a wonderful Nathan Fillion), and her life suddenly becomes awash in unbridled passion, moral dilemma, and peachy-keen tarts.

One of the countless delights of the film is how Jenna spontaneously thinks up pies that hilariously reflect a given moment of her life. Her friends, played by Cheryl Hines and Shelly herself, emerge not merely as comic relief, but as strong-willed individuals themselves. Andy Griffith also shows up, giving a magical performance as the crotchety owner of Jenna’s restaurant. Throughout the film, Shelly makes wise observations about human nature without ever becoming heavy-handed. She plays each note of the film with such a delicate hand that the audience simply becomes enraptured within her symphony of the heart. The film has a more genuine heart than most contemporary films combined, and its final moments are pure perfection. It leaves one feeling well-fed, yet with a craving for seconds.

Rating: ***** (out of *****)