People react to stress and depression in various ways, but a common outlet for many women (and some men) is through food. While the results of that (putting on weight) usually only exacerbate the emotional problem, the immediate sensory gratification seems to make it all worthwhile, at least in the moment.
Of course, when a woman who's dealing with that also ends up pregnant, that can only make matters that much worse, what with food cravings and such, especially when the pregnancy isn't expected or desired. Accordingly, one might expect that young Jenna would soon blow up like Violet in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (albeit not with the same resultant blueberry coloring).
Instead, Keri Russell's endearing character in "Waitress" does something different with food -- she bakes it. Specifically, she makes pies, the mouth-watering kind only found in small town diners where the patrons can't wait for the next delicious piece to be placed before them. But her culinary creations are more than just a customer-satisfying work requirement -- they're also cathartic for her in that each is made with a certain theme in mind.
Thus, whenever something significant occurs in her life, we see an overhead view of her assembling her next one -- be that the "I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie" or "Pregnant Miserable Self Pitying Loser Pie" -- described in voice-over narration by Russell, and those mini-moments serve as amusing interludes between scenes in this seriocomic offering from writer/director Adrienne Shelly.
What makes this cinematic offering ironic is that it marks the last film by her (she also co-stars in it) as she was shockingly murdered (allegedly by a contractor in her building) following the completion of principal photography. All of which makes the film's themes a bit more poignant, but also creates a dilemma for reviewers in that you don't want to come off as insensitive in any sort of critique of her work.
Thankfully, there's nothing hugely problematic, although there are points to be made. Most obviously, the film bears a striking resemblance to the old TV sitcom "Alice" (which itself was based on Scorsese's "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"). While there are differences (the main character is married rather than single, etc.), much of it (character types, themes, etc.) seems inspired by if not based on its predecessors.
Then there's the fact that at times the overall film, its story and especially its characters come off as a bit too cutesy, with forced whimsy and eccentricities occasionally threatening to overwhelm everything else (especially regarding Cheryl Hines doing the "Flo" waitress type bit). Shelly thankfully pulls in the reigns time after time just when things get a little too thick, but it nevertheless might be too much for some viewers with low tolerance levels for such a storytelling approach.
Some may also have an issue with the protagonist having an affair with her married obstetrician (played by Nathan Fillion in standard charming and handsome movie mode) while pregnant with her husband's baby. While that does provide for a few laughs -- and many viewers will want her to find happiness due to her husband (Jeremy Sisto) being an uber-controlling jerk -- such behavior might leave a bad after taste in some mouths.
Finally, Shelly isn't always completely successful at balancing the serious and comedic elements (especially toward the end), thus causing the film to experience some momentum issues on both fronts, individually and collectively.
What does work, though, is Russell in the lead role. Nicely capturing an unhappy woman in a trapped marriage and wisely exuding enough charm and quaintness to keep things from being depressing, the young actress delivers a winning performance. While not likable, Sisto is believable as the jerky husband, while veteran actor Andy Griffith has some nice (and sometimes amusing) moments as the cantankerous diner owner who's filled with all sorts of advice for his young employee.
Considering that Shelly came up with the idea for the film while pregnant with her own daughter, the poignancy factor goes up a few notches, likely leaving a bittersweet taste with viewers who are aware of the tragic back-story to this film. Featuring a set of minor to mild storytelling and performance issues, "Waitress" might not deliver a 5-star viewing experience, but considering it's presented as a blue plate-type offering, it's satisfying enough to rate as a 5.5 out of 10.
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