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Waitress By John P. McCarthy Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- A young woman with a talent for baking delicious pies finds the strength to deal with her unhappy marriage in the sweet-and-savory independent comedy "Waitress" (Fox Searchlight). In a small Southern town, Jenna (Keri Russell) works at a diner offering 27 different kinds of pie. She has a knack for dreaming up unusual varieties with descriptive names that reflect her mood. Thanks to boorish husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto), they tend to be gloomily titled creations. Her dream is to win the $25,000 first prize at a pie contest and start anew. Co-workers Dawn and Becky (Adrienne Shelly and Cheryl Hines) offer support in their own quirky ways, but the crucial ingredient in her transformation is becoming a mother. At first, Jenna isn't thrilled about having Earl's baby. The pregnancy prompts a number of pies with negative monikers and leads to an affair with her married obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion). Neither reaction can cure her malaise or properly address Earl's controlling, occasionally violent behavior. Adding poignancy to "Waitress," writer, director and co-star Adrienne Shelly was murdered last November, a few months before the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Written during her own pregnancy, Shelly's script uses both tart and silly humor to champion a downtrodden woman and affirm the joy of motherhood. The adultery theme and a few other risque elements are balanced by its general message and the basic decency of most every character. Andy Griffith rounds out the likable ensemble playing diner owner Joe. Despite ordinary production values, "Waitress" is a winsome little film. The film contains a brief glimpse of partially nude pregnant women, groping, sexual innuendo including a condom reference, an instance of spousal abuse, some crass language and one use of rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. - - - McCarthy is a guest reviewer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film & Broadcasting. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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