Baby, Don't You Cry, Gonna Make a Pie

Instead of reviewing yet another wonderful Spencer Tracy movie, I've decided to come closer to the present and watch and review Waitress.  This is a beautiful 2007 film starring Keri Russell (who starred in August Rush the same year - another beautiful film) and Nathan Fillion (who I know best from playing Mal in Firefly), and directed, written, and acted in by Adrienne Shelly.  Shelly, sadly, was needlessly and tragically murdered before this movie got any critical acclaim.  I mourn her loss.

The movie's opening credits are filled with color and light.  It was so visually appealing, I could not look away.  The gentle, homey, bright images of making pie were so alluring, I have been convinced by this movie that I must learn to bake pie, and I wanted so desperately to eat one at the time.

The film begins with a very unhappily married waitress, Jenna (Russell), who works at a pie diner, where she also is the star baker.  She believes herself to be stuck with her husband, and hides away money, hoping to gather enough to go to a pie-baking contest in another town.  Jenna discovers near the beginning of the movie that she is pregnant ("I do stupid things when I drink," she says, "like sleep with my husband.").  When she goes to see her pre-natal care physician, Dr. Pomatter (Fillion), there is an immediate spark, and the two start a passionate and caring affair completely by accident.  Jenna is not pleased by the fact that she is pregnant, but discovers, once she gives birth, that her daughter gives her the strength of character she's been looking for to turn her life around for the better.

The writing is quick and unexpectedly funny at times.  As one of Jenna's co-workers, Shelly reflects matter-of-factly that "I do have pasty, pasty skin," after one of the others points it out.  Adorable.  The other waitress worries about her breasts sagging, and Jenna says, "I don't know how to tell you this, but your bosoms are FINE."

The writing is also poignant, such as when Jenna has a particularly rough day, and her doctor just holds her.  Jenna, at that point, has taken to writing letters to her baby in her head.  She says, "Dear Baby, I hope someday somebody wants to hold you for 20 minutes straight and that's all they do.  They don't pull away.  They don't look at your face.  They don't try to kiss you.  All they do is wrap you up in their arms and hold on tight, without an ounce of selfishness in it."  I've been lucky enough to have that feeling, and Shelly expresses it perfectly.  Even without words, the style is natural and flowing.  When Jenna takes a difficult phone call, her friend comes up from behind, and just hugs her gently and pats her hair - very familiar and familial.

Another fun feature of the movie is Jenna's pies.  The camera focuses on an empty pie shell, while Jenna speaks over with a description of the pie, and hands add ingredients as she speaks.  For example: "I Can't Have No Affair Because It's Wrong and I Don't Want Earl to Kill Me Pie: Vanilla custard with banana.  Hold the banana."

Overall, the movie is very sweet (PUN!), and makes you want to hold someone you love really close.  And eat pie.  Highly recommended, but especially if you're in a warm-and-fuzzy mood.