Fresh-baked fun

Recently, Hollywood has decided that a simple formula and a couple of high-profile actors looking for a cheap buck (read: Ben Stiller) make for a good romantic comedy. But every once in a while, a film is released that understands there is more than one way to tell a comedic story with romance tossed in. "Waitress" is one of those films. \nJenna (Russell) is a waitress at a small-town diner whose only dreams are getting out of her awful marriage to Earl (Sisto) and winning a local pie-baking contest. But when she finds out she's pregnant, her dreams and life seem ruined. However, a sexual attraction to her new gynecologist Jim (Fillion) evolves into her a friendship allows her to find happiness. \n"Waitress" completely sneaks up on you. The story is simple and takes a while to get moving, but then suddenly you realize you're thoroughly invested in the characters. The performances are top-notch, including Jeremy Sisto as the abusive yet eerily charming husband Earl, and Andy Griffith as Jenna's favorite customer Joe, who plays the closeted softy old-guy character we've seen a million times, with a lot of heart. \nBut Russell's performance shines the brightest. She hasn't done much since "Felicity," but this film proves she can be a lead. She does well with some of the odd-ball humor and handles the emotional scenes without going way over the top, which has been a problem with some of her late-'90s-WB peers.\nThe story does an excellent job of portraying Jenna and Jim's relationship in a light manner -- even though they're committing adultery -- and allowing it to grow organically into a great friendship. In any other film, their relationship would be a catalyst for many cheap jokes, but here it's not.\nThe features are fairly standard -- documentary on the film, documentary on the star, etc. -- but the interviews with the cast and crew make it obvious they had a wonderful time working together. The best feature, though, is about the film's writer/director/co-star Adrienne Shelly, who was murdered before the film was invited to Sundance in 2007. Again, the cast's love for Shelly doesn't seem fake at all as they talk about her drive to make the film. It's truly heartbreaking.\n"Waitress" is a solid film that can be enjoyed by women and men alike. The unique story and lovable characters make you feel warm inside, just like a piece of fresh-baked pie.