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Downtrodden waitress Jenna (Keri Russell) dreams of escaping her abusive husband - but her plans are scuppered somewhat when she discovers she's up the duff. So she throws herself into what she loves best: baking pies. Everyone loves her pies, not least married gynecologist Dr Pomatter (Serenity's Nathan Fillion), who can't keep his, ahem, hands off of them. What follows is a warm-hearted journey of self-discovery, as Jenna realises that the key to happiness lies down an altogether unexpected path...

A truly terrific turn from Russell is what makes Waitress worth watching; her ability to switch seamlessly between comedic and poignant moments makes her impossible to dislike. In the same way that Sideways used wine as a metaphor, Jenna's emotions are expressed through food; her state of mind summed up by her creations such as 'I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie' - which is far more palatable than its title might suggest. Credit must also go to director Adrienne Shelley, who sadly died in tragic circumstances, and a mouth-watering supporting cast, including the charmingly endearing Fillion and Curb Your Enthusiasm's Cheryl Hines as mouthy but well-meaning waitress Becky.

"AN ENTERTAINING PREMISE"

The proof, though, is in the pudding, and while the performances are excellent, the ingredients are weighed far too heavily in favour of feel-good factor. So despite getting off to a good start with an entertaining premise, Waitress ultimately promises more than it delivers, thanks to its less than satisfying final act, a predictably syrupy feel-good finale that the film could well have done without.

Waitress is out in the UK on 10th August 2007.