Review: Waiting… (2005)

Directed by: Rob McKittrick | 94 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, Justin Long, David Koechner, Luis Guzmán, Chi McBride, John Francis Daley, Kaitlin Doubleday, Rob Benedict, Alanna Ubach, Vanessa Lengies, Max Kasch, Andy Milonakis, Dane Cook, Jordan Ladd, Emmanuelle Chriqui , Wendie Malick, Monica Monica, Travis Resor, JD Evermore, Clay Chamberlin, Skyler Stone, Melissa Morgan, Don Brady, Anne Ewen, Pat Hazell, Jordan Werner, Skylar Duhe, Ann Marie Guidry, Lauren Swinney, Wayne Ferrara

If there is one lesson to be learned by watching “Waiting …”, it is that you should always be nice to the wait staff in a restaurant. After all… they determine what you get on your plate and do you know if that tasty sauce doesn’t contain a blob of spit, can you see if that juicy steak isn’t sprinkled with rose instead of herbs…? “Waiting …” is a fun comedy about working in a restaurant and with a decent load of humorous one-liners and scenes, it is not only recommended for people in the hospitality industry. The film is reminiscent of Kevin Smith’s “Clerks”, but fortunately has more than enough in it to stand on its own. It’s just a shame that the beginning is rather weak, it takes more than half an hour for the film to get going. If you tend to stop the movie in the first part, don’t, because it really gets more fun.

Ryan Reynolds plays Monty, a confident cool young man who gives a tour of the restaurant to new employee, Mitch (John Francis Daley). A clever idea, because in this way the restaurant Shenaniganz is also introduced to the viewer. Although Mitch doesn’t play a major role, the viewer identifies with him the most, because of the bizarre work environment he (and the audience) gets to know. Imagine that on your first day of work you are told that the most important thing is that you should not have any problems showing your genitals to your colleagues! Mitch, however, keeps himself well and gradually becomes acquainted with the other, colorful, staff of Shenaniganz. Monty’s best friend is Dean (Justin Long from “Jeepers Creepers”). Dean is an intelligent boy who has just been told by his mother that an old classmate of his has just graduated from electrical engineering. That makes Dean think, he’s been working in the restaurant for four years and isn’t it time he started doing something different with his life? Bishop (Chi McBride) is the dishwasher and is an excellent analysis of the psychological aspects of the restaurant business. Rob Benedict plays the insecure but likable Dan, who has trouble peeing in public toilets and who is in love with a colleague (who, by the way, does not appear). Luis Guzmán also has a hilarious role as a cook who accidentally drops food on a regular basis and who is good at seducing the beautiful Danielle (Jordan Ladd)… what does she see in him? The equally attractive Vanessa Lengies has a funny role as the underage slut Natasha, who loves to do it with Monty, but who also does not turn her hand to pick up the boss, Dan (David Koechner). There are other female roles for Alanna Ubach, who is as funny as the frustrated Naomi. Anna Faris plays Serena, with whom Monty once had a brief relationship. Her character and that of Amy (Kaitlin Doubleday) do not come out very well. Then there are the two stoners T-Dog (Max Kasch) and Nick (Andy Milonakis), who dream of a rap career and who share similarities with Jay and Silent Bob from the Kevin Smith films. A variety of special figures and portrayed very convincingly, it feels as if they have indeed been colleagues for years.

The wait staff creates a lot of funny dialogues with each other. The interaction with the guests in the restaurant also guarantees a lot of comical situations and during the film you really start to empathize with some of the characters and hope that they will make the right choices. The drinking scenes during the party and the common thread of the penis game give the film an adolescent image, but the film is also recommended if you have passed that age. Vulgar? Sure! Of course you can see some jokes coming from afar, but when the moment comes, you will involuntarily laugh anyway. Great for a debut, because this is Rob McKittrick’s first film. A director to keep an eye on.