film of the day

Keri Russell shines in Waitress, (written and directed by the late Adrienne Shelly), as Jenna, who dreams of escaping her abusive husband, passionately creating an inventive pie(“I-Hate-My-Husband Pie”) to fit every hallmark event of her small-town life.

I must admit..I never would've been interested in seeing this movie if it hadn't been for Andy Griffith, who plays crusty Old Joe, the owner of the diner where Jenna bakes her magnificent pies. Andy has been my hero for years, and I've sketched more stories from fictional Mayberry than from anywheres else. He's a joy to watch. It reminds me of James Cagney in Ragtime: An aged actor from long ago still dishing it out, not just casted for the sake of getting them out of the house.

But it led to the sweet, not sugary, joy of this movie: Keri Russell. She's in nearly every scene, and is funny, sincere, fresh, and yes, as tart as her colorful pies.