Pies. Many pies. Pies that reflect the mood of the baker. Strawberry chocolate oasis pie, pregnant miserable self-pie, fallin’ in love chocolate mousse pie, kick in the pant’s pie, and the list goes on…These wonderfully creative names come from the movie “Waitress” written and directed by Adrienne Shelly.
I first watched this film in 2007. My family and I were on a plane back to the United States. I don’t remember where we were coming from, but all I remember is that it was a long and dreadful plane ride. Flipping through the channels on the portable television, I came across a brightly colored movie poster. Without much thought, I clicked play movie and began my journey into a pie diner in the Deep South.
Jenna (Kerri Russell) is a waitress living in the Deep South, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage with her abusive husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto). She spends her days working in Joe’s Pie Diner, where she invents pies inspired by her life. The flavor of these pies corresponds with the subject matter that inspired them. For instance, when Jenna finds out about her unwanted pregnancy, she creates a pie called Bad Baby Pie. This pie is wonderfully bitter, but leaves you with a hint of sweetness.
Throughout the film, the audience follows Jenna through her simple yet incredibly complicated life. Jenna’s decision to leave her husband and hometown becomes more complicated when she has an affair with her physician who is helping her through her pregnancy. Prompted by a gift of a baby journal, Jenna feels inspired to keep a journal for her unborn baby. In this film, Jenna constantly battles herself and her freedom.
Adrienne Shelly, who wrote and directed “Waitress,” also costarred in this film. Adrienne Shelly is so incredibly talented, perfecting such miniscule details in this film. The lighting and tone fits hand and hand with the subject matter, and the script is the perfect combination of comedy, romance, drama, and thrill.
Why am I recommending an older film? There is something about this film that keeps drawing me towards it. I think about this film from time to time, and for some reason, I cannot rid myself of it. It is so well done, of such high quality, and does not leave you feeling depressed or completely satisfied. I will not ruin the ending, but I will encourage anyone and everyone to see this film!
CAUTION: THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DELICIOUS LOOKING PIES IN THIS FILM. IT MAY CAUSE YOU TO FEEL A SUDDEN CRAVING FOR PIES AND THEREFORE YOU SHOULD PROBABLY STOCK UP ON PIES BEFORE WATCHING THIS FILM.
Until next time-
Aija Mayrock
