I *love* this movie. Before it went to DVD, I had it added onto my Amazon wish list.

Starring Keri Russell (from TV's "Felicity") and Nathan Fillion (from TV's "Firefly," "Desperate Housewives"), this is the story of a small town waitress, Jenna, with a special gift for delectable pies with oddball names. Jenna works in a local pie shop where she her creativity is encouraged. Trapped in a marriage with an emotionally unstable and insecure husband, she finds support from the two waitresses (Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Shelly) who work with her. Despite their support and encouragement, she feels she cannot pull herself out from under the controlling thumb of her husband, Earl (Jeremy Sisto).

In an effort to escape her dead end life, Jenna unknowingly squirrels money away to enter a pie contest, where she hopes to win $25,000 and leave Earl. These plans are derailed when she discovers she is pregnant. Because Jenna's strong faith precludes her from having an abortion, she feels trapped more than ever. Instead, she hides the pregnancy from Earl, who thinks she is simply getting fat.

On her first trip to the gynecologist, Jenna meets Dr. Pommater (Fillion). A few awkward encounters later, the two fall for each other. For Dr. Pommater, Jenna brings a sense of calmness to his life. Being that she has had to hide and suppress her feelings in her own relationship, it is understanding how nervous and disorganized Dr. Pommater would find himself drawn to her quiet disposition. It is also clear how, despite her faith, Jenna can break her vows in order to experience the warmth and love that is strongly lacking in her marriage.

Still, that is just the details that craft the story. The heart of the story begins when Jenna's friends purchase her a baby book. Reluctantly, she finds herself journaling to the baby and as Jenna's emotions ride the roller coaster of life, the story morphs from the story of a dead end life into the power of true love which transforms our lives.

This is a story that will move men and women alike. While it received little press, word of mouth was strong enough to fill the seats with more than females and couples. This is not a story of romantic love. It is the story of "true" love and even cynics will be moved by Russell's simple performance.

Keep an eye out for Andy Griffith who plays the owner of the pie shop. It is through his mentoring that Jena goes from being lost to finding her path, and passion, in life.

Special Features

Sadly, writer, director and actress Adrienne Shelly was found dead in her apartment in 2006, before the film's release. Shelly was found hanging from a sheet in her bathroom. Her door was found left open and strange shoe prints were found in the bathroom. It turned out that, after an altercation with a neighbor, he had turned up at her door and killed her. Shelly leaves behind a two year old daughter who plays Lulu in the film.

Luckily, her story came to Sundance and received positive reviews. Also, she had already recorded spots for the DVD which give us insight into her purpose in writing the movie and her vision as a director. Shelly called "Waitress" a love letter to her daughter and it is a wonderful tribute to her life.

* Feature Commentary by Producer Michael Roiff and Actress Keri Russell

* This Is How We Made Waitress Pie - Focuses mostly on Shelly discussing her vision for the film and her intentions as the writer. Includes discussions from Roiff and the cast.

* Written and Directed by Adrienne Shelly: A Memorial - Includes excerpts of Adrienne Shelley speaking on the set of "Waitress" as well as behind the scenes footage and remembrances of Shelley by Roiff and the cast.

* Hi! I'm Keri, I'll Be Your Waitress" - A charming discussion by Keri Russell about why she took the role and what she enjoyed about making "Waitress".

* The Pies Have It! - The cast shares their favorite pies, Adrienne Shelly talks about why she wrote Jenna as an expert pie maker & the cast talks about the pie as an important character in the movie.

* Fox Movie Channel presents "In Character With"
- Keri Russell: Talks about Jenna's story & her thoughts on women's friendships.
- Cheryl Hines: Talks about her character, Becky, & small town life.
- Nathan Fillion: Talks about the character of Dr. Pommater & what they have in common.

* A Message From Keri Russell About the Adrienne Shelly Foundation - Created to support women in film making.

Borders Exclusive

Exclusively available at Borders, "Waitress" comes specially packaged with an extra insert of "10 Recipes That Will Make Your Life Sweeter."

This special set of 10 recipe cards are specially laminated and printed on thick, durable, card stock. The presentation is clean and features a picture of Keri Russell (from the film) on the front. The front tabs have the traditional name of the pie while the front of the card features some of the creative names used in the film.

Unfortunately the back of the tabs do not list the pie and all of the tabs are aligned instead of staggered. Still, the reverse of the cards include the name of the pie from the movie, followed by the common name, a clear list of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions with tips.

Pies are as follows:

* "Baby Screamin' its head off in the middle of the night and ruinin' my life pie" - No Crust New York-Style Cheesecake

* "I can't have no affair because it's wrong and I don't want Earl to kill me pie" - Vanilla Custard Meringue Pie

* "I don't want Earl's baby pie" - Brie & Ham Quiche

* "Don't harangue me or try to up and hang me pie" - Lemon Meringue

* "I'm married to you and that's so much grief pie" - Quiche

* "I'd like to smack Earl upside the head with some Mud pie" - mud pie

* "Doc's got a great bedside manner Bananer cream pie" - banana cream

* "Things are all messed up and I'm feeling kinda Blue-berry pie" - blueberry pie

* "Chocolate Mousse Falling In Love Pie" - chocolate mousse pie

* "Marshmallow Mermaid Pie" - marshmallow pie

---------Check out my other Video reviews-----------

http://www.epinions.com/content_415213391492
http://www.epinions.com/content_412646674052
http://www.epinions.com/content_412648902276
http://www.epinions.com/content_412674592388


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older