Sadly, I must agree with person who suggested that the overwhelming critical acclaim that greeted this movie almost certainly had lots more to do with its tragic back story (director/writer/co-star Adrienne Shelly was murdered shortly before film's Sundance premiere) than anything that transpires on screen. As a result, what probably would have been (at best) a so-so direct-to-video release or forgettable made-for-cable time-killer is now a vastly over-rated disappointment that can't begin to live up to its hype.
Doesn't help that DVD's misleading marketing campaign sells this as a feel-good "chick lite" comedy. Not even close--unless your idea of "delicious fun" (to quote prominent cover blurb) is story of a spunky-but-conflicted diner drudge who hopes her pie-baking skills will get her out of a hellacious marriage (complete with physical violence) and a twisted relationship with a weird obstetrician whose unethical tactics should have him called before a medical board.
Plot is reminiscent of a very dark episode of TV's Alice (right down to supporting characters straight out of Mel's Diner: a wise-cracking waitress, a ditzy waitress, a grouchy cook, quirky customers), tricked out with spousal abuse, extra-marital trysts, an unwanted pregnancy and flat-out illogical plotting and unbelievable situations. (Knowing that her mean-tempered husband is looking for her, why would a woman who is trying to escape from an abusive marriage wait for a bus on the main drag of a small town? In what diner would a full-time waitress also be expected--let alone have the time--to bake the dozens of pies that are the restaurant's specialty? And why. . .) Broad characterizations, fuzzy motivation and occasional lapses into tired sitcom shtick don't help.
Keri Russell is winning as the hard luck hash-slinger with pie-in-the-sky dreams and rest of the appealing cast (including Cheryl Hines and an under-used Andy Griffith) does what it can. Unfortunately, they're all stuck with a stale recipe in which pathos and whimsy never begin to gel and, unlike the heroine's famous pastries, this film just doesn't pan out. For a much more entertaining and involving movie in a somewhat similar vein, see Julianne Moore in the far superior The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, based on true story of a low-income 1950's housewife who used her jingle-writing contest skills to keep her off-kilter family afloat.
Doesn't help that DVD's misleading marketing campaign sells this as a feel-good "chick lite" comedy. Not even close--unless your idea of "delicious fun" (to quote prominent cover blurb) is story of a spunky-but-conflicted diner drudge who hopes her pie-baking skills will get her out of a hellacious marriage (complete with physical violence) and a twisted relationship with a weird obstetrician whose unethical tactics should have him called before a medical board.
Plot is reminiscent of a very dark episode of TV's Alice (right down to supporting characters straight out of Mel's Diner: a wise-cracking waitress, a ditzy waitress, a grouchy cook, quirky customers), tricked out with spousal abuse, extra-marital trysts, an unwanted pregnancy and flat-out illogical plotting and unbelievable situations. (Knowing that her mean-tempered husband is looking for her, why would a woman who is trying to escape from an abusive marriage wait for a bus on the main drag of a small town? In what diner would a full-time waitress also be expected--let alone have the time--to bake the dozens of pies that are the restaurant's specialty? And why. . .) Broad characterizations, fuzzy motivation and occasional lapses into tired sitcom shtick don't help.
Keri Russell is winning as the hard luck hash-slinger with pie-in-the-sky dreams and rest of the appealing cast (including Cheryl Hines and an under-used Andy Griffith) does what it can. Unfortunately, they're all stuck with a stale recipe in which pathos and whimsy never begin to gel and, unlike the heroine's famous pastries, this film just doesn't pan out. For a much more entertaining and involving movie in a somewhat similar vein, see Julianne Moore in the far superior The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, based on true story of a low-income 1950's housewife who used her jingle-writing contest skills to keep her off-kilter family afloat.