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Sedona Film Festival's
'Waitress' is a generous slice of life tale
Sundance favorite screens at Second Tuesday Cinema
Series May 8
(Sedona, Arizona) - When life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie. That's the lesson of
Waitress, a tart ensemble comedy starring Keri Russell.
A crowd favorite
from Sundance, Waitress is sure to be a hit as May's installment of the
Sedona International Film Festival's popular Second Tuesday Cinema Series. It is
the feature presentation at 7 p.m., May 8 at the Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.
Presented by the Sedona International Film Festival and Workshop, “Waitress”
serves up a sweet, sassy and delicious slice of life tale — as it
reveals the power of friendship, motherhood and the willingness to take a
chance.
“This is a very big film for us. It was the biggest hit at Sundance, and we are
getting it here in Sedona right after its release in New York and Los Angeles,”
said Patrick Schweiss, executive director. “The cast is superb, and the story is
delightful. Critics and audiences have raved about this film.”
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Jenna and one
of her pies |
This vibrantly different romantic comedy is the final film from writer/director
Adrienne Shelly. Starring in the title role, Russell (Mission: Impossible 3,
Felicity) leads a dynamic cast as a diner waitress stuck in a lousy
marriage whose only solace is baking out-of-this-world pies.
As a favorite waitress at Joe's Diner, Jenna (Russell) is also a "pie genius,"
naming her tantalizing confections after the tumultuous events and emotions of
her daily life. She's hoping that one of her pastries, like her "Kick In The
Pants" Pie might even change her life – if she can just win that $25,000 pie
contest. But when Jenna discovers she's pregnant, she immediately bakes an "I
Don't Want Earl's Baby" Pie – a quiche of egg and cheese with a smoked ham
center. After all, her husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under) is a
jealous jerk who is essentially a child himself and the last thing they need to
do is start a family together.
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Nathan
Fillion, as Dr. Pomatter, and Keri Russell
as Jenna |
"I wrote Waitress when I was about eight months pregnant," said
writer-director Shelley, "and I was really scared about the idea of having a
baby. I couldn't imagine how my life was going to be, that it would change so
drastically that I wasn't even going to recognize myself any more."
Jenna's pregnancy initially makes her terrified, but
it eventually changes the course of events in her
life, giving her an unexpected and newfound
confidence, leading to a relationship with her
awkwardly charming OB-GYN, Dr. Pomatter
(Nathan Fillion, Serenity) that results in the baking of an "I Can't Have
No Affair Because It's Wrong And I Don't Want Earl To Kill Me Pie," made from
vanilla custard with banana ... hold the banana.
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Shelly (l),
Russel (c), and Hines (r) |
Waitress also stars Emmy nominee Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and
Shelly herself (The Unbelievable Truth) as Jenna's quick tongued
fellow waitresses along with classic television star Andy Griffith (The Andy
Griffith Show, Matlock) as the curmudgeonly Old Joe of Joe's Diner.
Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly says Waitress is "a vibrant and
uplifting comedy. Keri Russell is tartly irresistible." Michael Rechtshaffen of
the Hollywood Reporter says, “If Waitress was one of Jenna’s pies, it
would be a sky-high lemon meringue – light, airy, not too sweet, with a tart,
satisfying filling.” Producer Michael Roiff will be
here to introduce the film and host a Q&A discussion following the screening.
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Keri Russell
and Andy Griffith |
The title sponsor for the
May event is Judi’s Restaurant, who just happens to specialize in mouth-watering
pies. The lodging host is Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. The series is also
made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National
Endowment for the Arts and the City of Sedona.The film will be shown on two screens simultaneously on Tuesday, May 8. Tickets
are $10, or $8 for Film Sedona members, and will be available at 5:30 p.m. in
the Harkins Sedona Six Theatres lobby on show night. Cash or checks only. Seats
are limited. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona
International Film Festival office, 45 Sunset Drive, or by calling 282-1177.
Bistro Bella Terra will provide a
“Dinner and a Movie”
package for Second Tuesday including dinner at Bistro Bella Terra
with the producer of the film, a reserved-seat ticket to the film and trolley
transportation to and from the theater. Cost is $45 per person inclusive for the
dinner package. For more information and to see a trailer of the film, visit:
www.SedonaFilmFestival.com. For details, call the office at 282-1177.
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