Fox Searchlight Pictures and A Night and Day Pictures Production present a 107 minute PG-13 rated film directed by Adrienne Shelly and starring Keri Russell (Jenna), Nathan Fillion (Dr. Pomatter), Cheryl Hines (Becky), Jeremy Sisto (Earl), Andy Griffith (Old Joe), Adrienne Shelly (Dawn), Eddie Jemison (Ogie), Lew Temple (Cal), with Darby Stanchfield (Francine Pomatter), Lauri Johnson (Nurse Norma) and Sarah Hunley (Dr. Lily Mueller).
In the opening scene, Jenna is preparing a pie at Joe's Pie Diner where she works with fellow waitress's Becky and Dawn along with Cal, the manager. Everyone in town loves Jenna's pie's and all the vast specialty creations she makes from day to day. Life in the kitchen making pies is a slice of heaven for Jenna until quitting time when she knows she has to go home to her possessive, insecure, over-protective and obnoxious husband, Earl. Matters in her life even become worse when she finds out she is pregnant with Earl's baby pie, so to speak. Earl of course demands that he always come first in Jenna's eyes even over the baby.
Jenna always in a state of euphoria when creating a pie has but one goal in life which is to save enough money to run away from Earl. Earl, being so over-bearing demands that Jenna gives him all her money from her pay check to tips. Jenna each week hides some throughout the house as a savings for when she decides to leave her husband. She even hopes to enter the 47th United States pie contest and win $25,000 as a way of escaping the life to which she feels imprisoned. Like a dog on a leash, Earl has Jenna's movements under his control, for the most part.
Life has a way of happening as it sees fit. Jenna happens to have an affair with her married OBGYN Dr. Pomatter which in turn slightly complicates her decisions. Each day the creation of Jenna's pies reflect life and the occurrences that fall from it like the ingredients in her recipe's. Within weeks of the affair with her doctor, Jenna's grief becomes shock but quickly turns into smiles due to the way he makes her feel.
Jenna befriends Old Joe, played brilliantly by Andy Griffith, who happens to own the diner and several other establishments in town. Joe, is a lover to Jenna's pies and a true angel to her wingless life in this small southern town. Everyone needs best friends in this life and Jenna has the unconditional support of quirky Becky and pasty Dawn. Issues are faced from pregnancy, motherhood, relationships, happiness and the reasons for why we stay in bad situations. Have you ever held someone without expectations? In this day and age it seems that almost everything we do comes with demands!
Sometimes when a mother doubts her intentions or maternal instincts it is the love at first sight which helps to make it all make sense and redirect a person's spirit toward a fresh start. Life is created and life is taken away but it is the friendships that develop that truly help to redirect ones fate if at one time moving down the wrong path. Sometimes it is the mistakes we make that make us who we are and the friendships that we develop in this life that enrich us like the ingredients of a pie. In the making of a pie it is time and effort that help in creating it that makes it all worth the final flavorful outcome that leaves you thinking that was truly a Lulu.
Sad that in reality the director, writer was murdered in her office apartment in New York. Adrienne Shelly did a fantastic job on this film and it would have been wonderful to see where her future would enlighten us. The prefect feel good film to watch on a rainy day if not at the theatre than definitely in the comfort of your own home. Russell was impeccable with the lines she was given and drew you into her character filled with substance and belief. A great cast of characters right down to the always impressive Andy Griffith. At times this film reminded me of another one that I also enjoyed, Mystic Pizza, which starred Julie Roberts. Nice to see a great story that casts a realistic look of reality on the trials and tribulations of a woman in search of happiness who happens to find it in the smallest of places. A somewhat simple film that will make you laugh yet touch your heart and make you think about the ingredients in your own life. I can surely go for a slice of pie right now!
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.