Having spent over 30 years running bars in several countries, I can say hand on heart that there is so much in this movie that is either spot on or even sometimes understated. It reminded me so so many different times and places. A big word of advice, being nasty to your waiter will get you more than you bargained for in many countries, not just the States. You have been warned.
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Sergiodave16 March 2022
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When I first saw previews for this movie, I expected a soulless comedy about restaurant staff messing with customers. Although some people may feel that way even after seeing it, I was pleasantly surprised. From the introduction of 'the game' near the beginning of the movie, I knew this was going to be more interesting and even more disturbing than the previews.
Despite what appears to be rather thin characterization, 'Waiting' succeeds at being a good character-driven movie. I am not sure why this is. Perhaps what seem to be just childish antics add depth to the characters without us realizing it. Some people complain that 'the game' is a 10 second gag stretched out for the entire film, and on the surface, this is true. However, the game is really more of a mechanism for developing characters than anything on its own. The result is a set of very flawed, but surprisingly likable characters. Also, the ending, though a little abrupt, is entertaining largely because the movie does a good job of setting up the characters and situation.
This movie is not for everyone. If you do not like 'stupid' humor, then you will probably not be able to overlook that to enjoy the more subtle aspects. However, once you get past that, this movie is more than the sum of its parts. -
wrrpmfnv5 September 2022In my early 20s, I worked at a pizza/sandwich restaurant (fun but low wages); then an upscale restaurant (tolerated the BS as a server); then worked at a small dinner club, cocktail waitress (so-so but not my thing). Joined the Air Force, which helped landing a great GOV job.) In my 50s tried the dish washing as a side hustle to pay off some debts, but quit after one night (when I was asked to mop and clean the fryers, which I refused to do, given the pay).
We all can use these life lessons. PS: I'm very good at tipping (generous).
"Don't f*<k with people who handle your food." should be noted on all menus...just saying.
Gave 8 Stars for some of the really disgusting stuff. (I personally never witnessed any of that.) -
CAMACHO-417 October 2005In many ways this movie can be compared to another successful cult comedy by the name of "Office Space". Both films are about what really happens in a stressful working environment. While "Office Space" and "Waiting" do share similar plots, first time director Rob McKittrick seems to have more of a flare for slacker comedy than Mike Judge.
What also makes this comedy stand out is the great casting and colorful characters. The always funny Ryan Reynolds leads the crew of misfits including Anna Faris, Justin Long and the incredibly hilarious Luiz Guzman.This movie can get a tad immature at times, but those who love movies like "The 40-Year Old Virgin" and "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" will absolutely worship this picture. -
mrhowell-8669910 June 2019This movie is a fun, comedic romp. It's has dick jokes, sexy Ryan Reynolds and teaches the lesson of respecting the people who serve you food. What else could you want?
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leilapostgrad12 October 2005I hated (HATED!) being a waitress, but this movie is so hilarious and so ballsy that it almost makes me want to go back to the summer of 1999 to work one more shift at TGI Fridays. Waiting is the best, most accurate, most honest, and most riotously funny movie ever made about the service industry. Here's how I see it the world is divided into two groups of people: those who have waited tables and those who haven't. Those who have never worked a day of their lives in a restaurant may find this movie amusing, but they'll think it's too absurd to be real, and they'll probably never give a second thought to this movie ever again.
But those of you who have felt the pain, degradation, and humiliation of waiting tables will p**s your pants laughing at how PERFECT this movie is. First-time writer/director Rob McKittrick has created a dead-on depiction of 24 hours in the restaurant biz. The movie opens at a late-night party with lots of underage drinking, smoking, and sex. Then we see the wait staff hung-over at work the next day. The restaurant they all work at is called "Shenanigans," but it looks an awful lot like the TGI Fridays I worked at.
All the characters in Waiting are based on the real people who work in every restaurant. There's the hot/slutty/underage hostess, the fat and ugly cook who somehow dates a really hot waitress, the stoner/punk bust boy, and the manager with the chip on his shoulder. All the customers in this film (the cheap red necks who don't know how to tip, the b****y women, the drunk and horny men) are all customers I've waited on. And no filmmaker has ever so accurately portrayed the complex and irreconcilable tension between the wait staff and kitchen staff.
But at the end of the night, no matter what drama unfolds, no matter what dishes brake, and no matter how much money you make in tips (or don't make), everyone gets wasted and parties together, and you all know you're in it together. Waiting simply tells a story about a profession that most people never give a second thought to. But it tells that story flawlessly. Can't wait for the DVD. -
To the people who have never worked a day in a restaurant, this movie is NOT for you. To the people who go to a restaurant and treat the staff like $hit, This movie is NOT for you either. Trust me, save yourself the realization of just what you've REALLY eaten, cuz your life will be much better if you never find out. For everyone else, this movie is perfect. Its never going to win any awards, and doesn't even try to. From the 5-second rule to the intermingled sex lives of the staff to the retarded manager, this movie hits the nail right on the head. It seems like someone in Hollywood finally got some money to throw around and decided to pay homage to his life before being "Someone" in Hollywood. I laughed till i cried through the first 30 minutes and the rest of the movie was just as good. It's destined to become a cult classic for anyone in The Industry and will definitely be on my bookshelf the day it comes out. As long as you go in only with expectations of being grossed out and laughing till it hurts, you will not be disappointed!!
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tiramisuc15 October 2005This movie was everything I thought it would be and more. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cringe. Most of all, it'll make you think twice about eating at another restaurant or even working at one. Each character is throughly enjoyable as is each interaction between them. It's extremely well-written and realistic. As a waitress, I found it completely therapeutic, because even though I'd never do anything to a customer's food, seeing someone else do it to someone who is deserving of it (even in a movie), is enough to make me feel better. Ryan Reynolds is hysterical in this movie, as is Dane Cook and Luis Guzman. There are so many one-liners that you'll hear for a long time, especially in the kitchen of any restaurant. It ends slightly abruptly and you find yourself wanting more...but I guess that means the writer has done something right. Go see it, and enjoy. Just remember never to break the cardinal rule: "Never, ever, f*ck with someone who handles your food."
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Calicodreamin26 September 2020Can't complain too much as it delivered what was expected. Some funny moments and a quick paced storyline. Low budget and doesn't try too hard.
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Not even Ryan Reynolds' humorous delivery could save this yawn fest. It was supposed to be funny, but it wasn't even "black comedy" neither did it have much to keep the viewer interested. Set in "Shenanigans" a typical American style restaurant, it covers 24hrs and the induction tour of the facility and training of one new member of staff. Monty (Reynolds) is responsible for the tour and fills the newbie in on all the silly goings on in the restaurant (mainly centered around a game the male staff play where they show each other their genitalia).
As a film it is trying to say something about existential dilemmas of young people with more potential than their current lives offer them, but unfortunately I didn't care about any of the characters, and everyone was rather ridiculous. Dean (Justin Long) was the only vaguely sensible character, and the only character played in a real and recognisably genuine way but it all seemed fatuous and pointless. Whilst I didn't warm to any of the characters, nor the premise of the film, the actors were committed to their characters and the film itself was good in terms of dialogue and production, despite my not enjoying it. I can see how many people would consider it better than I did.
There were amusing parts, but nothing laugh out loud for me, and I felt it would probably appeal more to student-stoner-male humour as many of the potential laughs were genital-based, so certainly not something for everyone. Many of the characters were horrible, but it did highlight how NOT to be in a restaurant. There was one despicable character (a woman diner) who you were pleased was treated to "extras" on her meal... remember to be nice to your wait-staff as they handle your food! -
sackjigler5 October 2005for anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant, this is it. for those who ever wanted to know what its like, watch this movie. granted, this is not the best movie ever made, but, you have to appreciate movies like this. first and foremost, everyone in the cast worked so well together that it actually seemed like they have worked in that place together for a long time. plus, the movie tries to be nothing but amusing, very few subplots and it doesn't dwell on them. its short, to the point, and i know i missed a ton of lines from laughing so hard. if you just want to be entertained for an hour and a half, i say check it out, its worth it.
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rabidwombat829 March 2006This is a better Clerks 2 then Clerks 2 will be. My new favorite trilogy will be Clerks, Office Space, Waiting...
/* I've never worked at any place that serves food but after 10 retail jobs I can truly enjoy this movie. If you are wondering, I've never been fired. The bullshit customers, associates, managers need to be changed every 6 months or so. I'm 24 with only a 2 year degree in Computer Science and this movie was the last little push to get my ass in gear and apply to more colleges. */
I'm hoping that the man who created this film will make plenty more.
Why is it the greater level of management a manager has, the more incompetent that person will be. After 4 months at most jobs, i could be a manager since i was usually doing his job anyway (yea some places i was a boss's bitch). It's sad that they usually only get $1-$3 more an hour. What is really sad is that some of them seem happy with their level of existence. -
JSL2610 January 2006After watching this movie about a "day in the life of a restaurant," I couldn't understand the high rating it gets on IMDb, but then I noticed that most of the reviewers are former wait-persons who identified with the over-the-top caricatures of the staff and customers of these restaurants.
For anyone else it is just a bunch of crude high-school level gross-out jokes.
I realize comedy is subjective, but I kept hoping that the energetic (and in some cases attractive) cast might actually be given some sort of comedic situational set-up for the jokes instead of a series of barely (pun intended) connected stoopid gags. -
mlane324 March 2019This movie is exactly what you're looking for when you want to laugh and not have to get too invested into a storyline. The characters are fully fleshed out by the time the movie starts and there really is only one character's development to focus on. The vulgarity is surprisingly refreshing in this politically correct world. Ryan Reynolds plays his part well as does most of the cast. Sure there are some acting issues with some of the cast, but it's a decent production. The humor isn't deep but it is still funny. Would love to see a sequel that could live up to this, but the second movie wasn't very good.
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march1823 March 2008With serving being one of the most common jobs in the country, I'm surprised that this is the first mainstream movie about it. I actually worked at a Bennigan's when it came out, and was glad we didn't take any flak from customers who had seen it. Although some details were a bit far-fetched (the game, the busboys), most of the goings-on were true to life - we had a girl who would hold quick make-out sessions in the dish pit and there was a cook just like Dane Cook's character. I personally trained a girl who was so zonked on some substance that she would zone out when waiting to get on a register. There were a few things that were left out or glazed over - hosting can be just as demanding as waiting, and nearly EVERYONE smokes (shoulda been more scenes of breaks!) - but everyone who has done the job can attest to the crazy things that can go on. I personally think everyone should do it for a little while to learn some humility, as well as to meet interesting individuals. And for all you "civilians" who were wondering and worrying - very few meals get messed with.
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godesstinkrbelle8 January 2006I've worked in Restaurants myself, so I know all the things that go on in a normal day. This movie was really accurate... I laughed my ass off. The only thing that wasn't really accurate was the "game" they all played, but that is what made it even funnier! I can't believe they actually made a movie showing all the things that servers, cooks, dishwashers, hostess', and managers all do in a day's time. I actually went to see this movie twice in theaters and can't wait for the day that it comes out on DVD so I can own it. My best friends have a bet that I will call off of work in order to go buy this movie. I believe if you never worked in a restaurant before that you wouldn't get the full effect of this movie.
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neon475 May 2006First off just to clear this off: I work at an Applebees. I know that often times customers aren't any better than the dirt underneath your finger nails; so when I heard about this movie I was, in short, excited. Finally a movie that exposes the rotten customer, but after seeing it I felt empty. Half of this movie was one big long dick joke. I spent 96-ish minuets watching a movie that focused more on how guys flash each other when what I wanted to see was 96-ish minuets of real-to-life customer and server interaction. While yes, the customer interactions in here were very real, the truth is there wasn't enough. The acting was decent, but the loud screaming chick annoyed me to no end. The story danced around a decision. I snickered at a few parts but I never found myself laughing out loud. The sexual humor felt very American Pie-esquire in some cases when I was expecting more of an Office Space/Dilbert style. If you serve, cook, host, or bartend at a restaurant you'll find some of this movie to be funny, but not enough to save it's soul.
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Movieguy_blogs_com2 November 2005In 'Waiting' Ryan Reynolds plays Monty, the seemingly head waiter at a Shenanigan's restaurant. Monty hates his job, like most, but he is like a god at Shenanigan's and gets away with almost anything. His bud and roommate Dean (Justin Long) is just a little more dissatisfied, but starts to see things in perspective once he is offered an assistant manager position.
This movie really is not that deep. In point of fact, it is hilarious. I loved this film, but I cannot recommend it to everyone. It is full of very crude humor (just the kind I like). If you combined 'Clerks' with 'Van Wilder' you would have 'Waiting'. Ryan Reynolds plays a very similar character to 'Van Wilder', only much more vulgar. Both Luis Guzmán (Raddimus) and Chi McBride (Bishop) are terrific in their respected roles.
I did notice that the cinematography in this seemed poor, making it look like a cheap film. But who cares? What this movie lacked in a budget, it more than makes up for in laughs. Unless you are easily offended, go see this movie. -
danielmanson18 February 2024Early 2000s comedies are one of my favourite things to watch and seeing the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long & Anna Faris then I had to watch and it's not a bad watch if I'm honest.
I will say it will NOT be for everyone. I mentioned it's like Office Space and it is, but it's in a restaurant and more crude. The plot itself is a little pointless it's more like a day in the life of these workers. I think if you're like me and enjoy these comedies then you'll have a good time, there's definitely some laugh of loud moments and the characters are all very unique and funny in their own way. But, the lack of direction of the plot I definitely think will put a lot off. The ending isn't as such an ending either, like I said it's more just like a behind the scenes of a restaurant.
So yeah it's a fun little movie and I'll happily rate this a 6/10. I would have liked more direction and some more of a plot, but it's a niche comedy and I have to respect that! -
niceguyjohn11 November 2008I cant understand how someone that takes the time to refer to IMDb for movie info, can think this is a movie worth paying to watch.
It was recommended to me by a friend. I have stopped listening to his movie recommendations.
The basic idea is that someone who worked as a waiter, has taken the time to write down all the horror stories/ urban kitchen legends down, and then stapled the pages together. Job Done, well done lads thats another script for the movie making machine to churn out.
No story, no plot, just a string of anecdotes. I don't mind this. If its done well. Pulp fiction for example, is a superb film. Well executed script keeps you interested despite the fact there is no great point or conclusion. The acting is unspectacular.
The "game" played by the staff is milked and massaged to fill the cavernous gaps in the story. The game could have been explained in 3 minutes, not used to bring the movie to the usual 90 minute attention span and bladder limit of most movie go-ers.
In short, if you are channel hopping, and happen to come across it, and there is nothing else on, then watch it. Or better still, have a sleep. Just don't pay actual money to watch it. -
EarthAD18 October 2005FINALLY! A movie about young adults working at a restaurant. I am 21 and I've only worked in restaurants. Since I was 15, I've been a busser, dishwasher, host, or a cook. And I have to say that this movie is 100%, dead-on accurate. Not only was it flawlessly written and the actors were natural and likable, but it also shows the people the other side. People don't realize all the B.S. servers and cooks have to go through every single day. So, the next time you chew out a server because your steak is medium instead of medium-rare, just remember one thing...We control your food, we can do whatever we want to it. So, chill out and remember it's only food and it's not the end of the world.
Funny, well-acted. Loved Dane Cook, Andy Milonakis, and Ryan Reynolds of course; Justin Long, Anna Faris, Alanna Ubach(HILARIOUS!), and John Daley who I haven't seen since Freaks and Geeks when he was a little guy. This movie is full of priceless one-liners and your typical coming-of-age moral without telling you it's a moral. 10/10! -
jfgibson738 August 2021I only worked in a restaurant one summer, but this comedy definitely feels like it was written by a cultural insider. The performances are nothing special, the script isn't the greatest, and there are some gross out moments I couldn't handle (worse than watching gore). But it was fun enough for a watch, especially when it is exposing the customers for the wack jobs they are. I didn't laugh uncontrollably, but years after watching it, I can still remember several standout moments pretty clearly. Wait till I get those hydroponics!
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bookembarnes17 May 2006I've worked in the restaurant business all of my life, and therefore was critical going in about how they would structure the comedy. I'll tell ya, some of it was dead-on accurate and extremely funny....including the "penis showing game" which I have been exposed to in past employment. While fun in it's premise, it is flawed in it's execution. The actress who plays the generic, loud, bitchy waitress is almost as annoying as listening to Barbara Streisand talk politics. The character was written right, but portrayed horribly wrong. She'd make a great porn star though. Also the Andy ?mikalowskiesneigenbager? or whatever his name is, was just retched and made me want to fast forward through every ridiculous moment. His "wannabe" friend was just as bad, and lowered the movie a complete star on my rating. I won't go on about negative things, but there aren't enough positives to continue either, so I will just shut up and only recommend this film to people looking for a movie to make fun of, or fans of fart-like comedy....good luck. 4/10
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jaywensley200410 January 2015Anyone reading this review is sufficiently familiar with the internet to understand the precision with which internet search engines can target potential customers. And the movie industry is well-aware of the built in audiences for its products: to wit, the success of the "Harry Potter," "Twilight," and "Lord of the Rings" franchises demonstrate the viability of the formula: Movie+cultural familiarity=An audience. The only variable is; is the culturally familiar audience large enough to make a movie profitable? By this formula, "Waiting" is enough of a sure thing to answer another question: Why was this movie commercially successful? "Waiting" is simultaneously an accurate (if, due to being overly-condensed, unrealistic) depiction of the life of food-service employees and a "warning shot" to the customers of this industry (aka: Everyone else). And while it succeeds at both of these, it fails to be funny, which I believe is its ultimate goal. Instead it focuses on food-service workers as under-achieving, low-brow and resentful people who should be feared for their for their emotional dysfunction and their capacity/position to appropriately handle the anger and frustration that are part of every work situation.
"Waiting" lacks wit, which I define as intelligent, insightful humor. It seeks to be a Kevin Smith film ("Clerks") but lacks the intelligence and wisdom of Kevin Smith. "Waiting" is gross and vulgar, even containing physical archetypes of Jay and Silent Bob, but is absent the self-awareness of Smith's characters.
"Waiting" serves adequately to warn restaurant guests that they are interacting with people. But that is not funny.