Grits and Greens

With all of the BIG movies hitting the screens this summer, it's nice to find that "little" movie that makes a huge impact and no movie has made that impact this summer quite like "Waitress." "Waitress" is an amazing film that I actually didn't want to end and is something that I look forward to seeing again.

"Waitress" was written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, who also plays the affable and lovelorn Dawn. Unfortunately, the talented Shelly was murdered in her New York office/apartment in the fall of 2006 and "Waitress" was released posthumously. "Waitress" was Shelly's labor of love and it is beyond sad that we will never see another film from her. Shelly lit up the screen playing dawn and it breaks my heart that some piece of shit killed her and silenced her voice.

"Waitress" is the story of Jenna, a waitress, played by Kerri Russell, who works in a pie shop in a small southern town. Jenna is also an incredibly talented pie maker who happens to create pies based on her life experiences. Jenna becomes pregnant, something she never wanted, with her abusive, controlling husband's baby, meets a newcomer to town and dreams of winning the $25,000 first prize in a pie-making contest.

The acting in "Waitress" is some of the best that you will see this summer. From Russell and Shelly to Sheryl Hines and Jeremy Sisto, the acting and timing is stellar. However, the biggest surprise of the movie is the brilliant Andy Griffith, who plays the curmudgeonly owner of the pie shop. To me, Griffith's role is Academy Award worthy. He absolutely shines in this film.

I liked everything about "Waitress," from the cinematography and lighting, to the writing and pacing. There are beautiful, sensual scenes of Russell making pies such as the "I hate my husband pie" that are pure genius. Do yourself a favor and let yourself get lost in "Waitress."