Waitress

This quirkily endearing romantic comedy is the final film from writer-director Adrienne Shelly, who shows that she learned what to do and what not to do from director Hal Hartley (Trust, Henry Fool) during her tenure on his go-to roster of actors. Jenna (Keri Russell) is trapped in a loveless marriage to a childish, jealous dick and takes refuge in creating specialty pies at the diner where she works, pies she dubs with titles that serve as a culinary diary of the events that shape her day-to-day existence. On the verge of making a break for it, she finds that she’s been knocked up. Whoops. Things take a turn for the brighter when an awkwardly attractive obstetrician (Nathan Fillion) slaps her feet in the stirrups, if you know what I mean. And since this is a romantic comedy, you pretty much have most of the pieces here to figure out what happens next. Except if you’re expecting just another clichéd rom/com—that’s not what you’re gonna get. This is the kind of independent film that gives the breed a good name, and to be critically lazy: If you liked My Big Fat Greek Wedding, this is better. Much better. You’ll not find a better romantic comedy this year.