Waitress 2007

Jenna, portrayed by Keri Russell, is a waitress whose life in the American South is overshadowed by her grim marriage to Earl, a man who embodies jealousy, control, and abuse, played by Jeremy Sisto. Employed at Joe’s Pie Diner, Jenna channels her emotions into creating imaginative pies, including the notorious “I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby” pie—a reflection of her unexpected pregnancy. As she dreams of escaping her oppressive circumstances, Jenna secretly saves money to make her getaway.

Her only support comes from her fellow waitresses, Becky and Dawn, as well as Joe, the cantankerous owner of the diner, who pushes her to seek a new beginning. Everything changes when she meets her OB/GYN, Jim Pomatter, played by Nathan Fillion, who has relocated to their small town. What starts as a forbidden romance evolves into a deep friendship, offering Jenna a glimpse of hope amid her despair.

Through journal writings addressed to her unborn child, Jenna articulates her dreams, worries, and a heartening bond with the baby she initially believed she wouldn’t love. The moment she lays eyes on her baby girl, whom she names Lulu, a profound transformation takes place within her. Confronted by Earl, who forces her to choose between him and her burgeoning affection for their child, Jenna finds the courage to assert her independence. She declares her intention to leave Earl behind, despite his retaliatory refusal to pay for her hospital expenses, leading to her abrupt discharge.

As her friends assist her in making preparations for life after the hospital, Jenna discovers a card and a check from Joe, spurring her to take that leap of faith. With a newfound resolve, she ends things with Jim and starts anew. In a hopeful epilogue, we see Jenna victorious in a pie contest and taking ownership of the diner, rebranded as Lulu’s Pies, where she serves vibrant pies to her loyal customers and friends. The story culminates with a heartwarming scene of Jenna walking home, hand in hand with toddler Lulu, embodying the future she fought to create.