Independent Films, Film Profiles

Waiting...

Waiting... (2005) is an American independent film starring Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long and Anna Faris. It was written and directed by Rob McKittrick. McKittrick wrote the screenplay while working as a waiter. Friend and producer Dean Shull, who met McKittrick while he was dining at an Orlando, Florida, T.G.I. Friday's, teamed up with Rob to help make the film. The film is the first effort by McKittrick as a writer–director.The script was initially sold in a movie deal to Artisan Entertainment, but was released by Lions Gate Entertainment (which purchased Artisan in 2003). Producers Chris Moore and Jeff Balis of Live Planet's Project Greenlight fame also took notice of the project and assisted. The film made over US$6,000,000, more than twice the budget of the movie, in its opening weekend.The film focuses on several characters. One of the main protagonists, Dean (Justin Long), has been a waiter for four years since graduating high school. He hasn't earned a degree during his four years at a community college. When Dean learns a former high-school classmate, Chet, now has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, he begins to rethink his seemingly dead-end life. Dean's lecherous friend and co-worker, Monty (Ryan Reynolds), is in the exact same situation, but couldn't care less and has accepted the fact his future lies with the restaurant, Shenaniganz. While being more concerned with partying and girls, Monty is put in charge of training Mitch (John Francis Daley), a newly hired waiter who never seems to get a word in edgewise. Also working with Dean is Calvin, who despite his good nature can never seem to hang onto a relationship, and Dan, the uptight manager who is grooming Dean as his protege. Rounding out the staff are Natasha, the hostess, sultry bartenders Danielle and Tyla, waitresses Serena, Naomi and Dean's girlfriend Amy, stoner busboys T-Dog and Nick, head chef Raddamus, his crazy deputy Floyd, the disheveled kitchen staff, and the pensive and philosophical dishwasher Bishop.The waiters preoccupy themselves with endless gossip, complaining about the customers, seeking covert revenge on particularly rude patrons, and playing a special kind of game which involves flashing genitalia at a fellow worker (the Penis Showing Game). Each employee has his or her own problems and stories, which are interwoven with the ebb and flow of business.Minutes before the restaurant closes, however, Chet and his girlfriend come in for dinner and leave Dean a tip worth $68.91. This prompts Dean to quit his job (turning down an assistant manager position Dan offered him at the beginning of the film) and seek a more promising future.When the shift ends, the staff head to a party at Monty and Dean's house. At the party, Monty is able to resist having sex with the underage Natasha (although he says they will have sex the following Wednesday, when she will be 18), Calvin's relationship problems begin to improve, and Mitch bashes most members of the staff after being constantly interrupted throughout the day. He concludes by giving them all The Goat from the "Penis-Showing Game," for which Monty declares him a god and swears his undying allegiance to him. The film ends with the staff talking about the incident with Mitch, Dan showing up at a disgruntled customers' house after Natasha gave him the wrong address to the party, and the hip-hop music video debut of Nick and T-Dog.