Where to watch Waiting…
4 Stars
It’s the dinner shift at Shenanigan’s. Dan, the clueless boss, assigns Mitch, 22, a trainee, to Monty, the smooth talker who chases girls for one-night stands. Dean, a waiter, also 22, feels that life is passing him by. Dan offers him the assistant manager job and gives him until midnight to decide. Other waiters, cooks, and bus boys have their issues and personalities. Bishop, the dishwasher, is their counselor. During this shift, Monty may learn something, Dean makes his decision, Dan makes a play for the not-yet-18 hostess, customers get their comeuppance, the guys all play the in-house homophobic flashing game, the gals demonstrate why they won’t, and Mitch gets the last word.
2005 was a standout year for comedies at the domestic box office. The summer season introduced two classics: “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Wedding Crashers”. Another notable comedy released during this time was “Waiting,” independently produced outside the studio system. Looking back at the film two decades later, it’s clear that the pre-stardom cast delivers uniformly excellent performances in a movie that blends the vibes of “Diner” with “Super Troopers.” Ryan Reynolds is entertaining as the senior member of the lively wait staff, while Justin Long perfectly embodies the more mature sidekick.
As with many comedies from this era, “Waiting” would likely not be made today. Nevertheless, the film is undeniably funny and well-paced, featuring a few gross-out gags that had me laughing out loud. Rob McKittrick, the writer and director, drew from his experiences as an employee of a chain restaurant, which helps cover all the angles and points of annoyance in his insightful screenplay. “Waiting” is not only one of the funniest movies of the year; it also offers a glimpse of a talented cast before they reach their peak.
Directed by: Rob McKittrick
Written by: Rob McKittrick
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, John Francis Daley