"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.
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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.