A 'Waitress' Sweet as Pie

This indie written and directed by Adrienne Shelly is a little deeper and more comical than your usual chick flick, which makes it attractive to a wide audience. (Yes, guys, this means you'll be able to stand it).

Jenna (Keri Russell) is a disgruntled and pregnant waitress at the local diner. Trapped in an unhappy marriage and surrounded by coworkers with various problems, Jenna turns to piemaking to take her away from her woes.

"Are you happy?" she repeatedly asks people throughout the movie. She receives varied responses--from her fellow waitresses, her semi-abusive husband, the eccentric old man who owns the diner, her gynecologist--but must ultimately pinpoint her own definition of happiness.

Comic relief comes in the form of Adrienne Shelly's genius writing, her acting with Cheryl Hines (as the other waitresses), and the unique uses of mood music and camera angles in the movie. For example, whenever Jenna sees a child throwing a tantrum, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" plays in the background.

Adrienne Shelly died before Waitress found an audience, but her wit and humor live on throughout the whole movie. In honor of Shelly, go see this movie, eat a pie, and let it provoke you into wondering what makes you happy.

Picture from www.theage.com