Thursday, August 18, 2011

Eight Days a Week

  • Yes, there's something about Keri. Keri Russell (Felicity, Mission: Impossible III) is the object of a likable dweeb's romantic obsession in the cheerfully raunchy comedy Eight Days a Week. Russell plays Erica, a hormone-revving girl-next-door who tells nerd's nerd Peter (Josh Schaefer) they're "just friends." But Peter has grander designs. Perhaps he can win her attention by paying constant atten
Don't miss writer/director Adrienne Shelly's sweet, sassy comedy about the power of friendship, motherhood and second chances, starring the radiant Keri Russell who serves up "a hilarious and heartfelt performance" (Rolling Stone).Much like the films of Hal Hartley, Waitress is funny in a deadpan sort of way, but a sadness lurks below the surface. After making a splash in Hartley's The Unbelievable Truth and Trust, Adrienne Shelly turned to directing with Sudden Manhattan and I'll Take You There. Set in a small Southern town, her third picture revolves around waitress Jenna (Felicity's radiant Keri Russell), who works at Joe's Pie Diner (Joe is played by Andy Griffith). Jenna is the pastry genius who makes Joe's joint shine. Her co-workers include the forthright Becky (Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and insecure Dawn (Shelly). All three have man trouble, but Jenna has it the worst. Her husband, Earl (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under), treats her like a piece of property. When she finds out she's pregnant, Jenna fears she'll be stuck with him forever. Then, she develops a crush on her married obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter (Nathan Fillion, Serenity). With the aid of her fanciful confections, like peachy keen tarts, their flirtation develops into a full-blown affair. It appears to be a no-win situation, but Shelly finds an empowering way to bring this bittersweet story to a close. If the candy-colored conclus! ion plays more like fantasy than reality, it's a fantasy worth! embraci ng. Sadly, Shelly was murdered before Waitress ever saw the light of day (leaving behind a husband and child of her own). Fortunately, her final film is far more life-affirming than morose, although it does end with the word "goodbye." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Beyond Waitress


Food Films

More from Adrienne Shelly

More from Fox


Stills from Waitress







Yes, there's something about Keri. Keri Russell (Felicity, Mission: Impossible III) is the object of a likable dweeb's romantic obsession in the cheerfully raunchy comedy Eight Days a Week. Russell plays Erica, a hormone-revving girl-next-door who tells nerd's nerd Peter (Josh Sch! aefer) they're "just friends." But Peter has grander designs. ! Perhaps he can win her attention by paying constant attention. So Peter camps out beneath Erica's balcony. All day, all night, he witnesses the passing parade of neighborhood events that is nuttier than he is. And perhaps this Romeo's time is near. Russell plays Erica, a hormone-revving girl-next-door who tells nerd's nerd Peter (Josh Schaefer) they're "just friends." But Peter has grander designs. Perhaps he can win her attention by paying constant attention. So Peter camps out beneath Erica's balcony. All day, all night, he witnesses the passing parade of neighborhood events that is nuttier than he is. And perhaps this Romeo's time is near.

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