What Pie Would You Invent?

And now a break from regular programming: Last weekend I went to see the movie, "Waitress," starring Keri Russell (Ms. Felicity). It's a charming independent movie by the late director Adrienne Shelly (she was killed by a contractor in her New York building). You know how some movies are known for featuring food ("Eat. Man. Drink. Woman." and "Under The Tuscan Sun" come to mind)? Well, I think "Waitress" should be among these films. I've never seen a film that so seductively shows the creation of oddly interesting pies. The slow pour of chocolate or the rising puff of a meringue all shines in this wonderful movie about a waitress (Russell) in a pie diner (do these actually exists where people only serve pies all day?) who's stuck in an abusive marriage and pregnant.

Russell's character dreams of breaking the cycle of her dreary existence by coming up with the daily pie special. And it's not your ordinary apple or key lime pies. Her pies have names like "I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie" (Earl is her abusive husband, played convincingly by Jeremy Sisto) or "I Can't Have An Affair Because It's Wrong and I Don't Want Earl To Kill Me Pie."

I like to support independent films, especially when it has a creative message. So check your local listings (it was showing at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco) and go to see "Waitress" with its fantastic ensemble cast this weekend before it gets squeeze off the screen by the summer blockbusters.

For fun, here are some of the pies I'd create:

"I'm Bored At Work and Wish I Could Blog About Food Pie" made with vanilla cream cheese mixed with espresso to keep you awake.
"I Hate Dating Pie" made with bittersweet chocolate topped with strawberries and flambe with Grand Marnier.
"I Live In A Small Studio And Need A Garden Pie" a savory kitsch made with prosciutto, potatoes, lavender, rosemary, and topped with roasted tomatoes.

OK, what pies would you make to reflect your life today?

To support women in films, I encourage you to visit a foundation set up in memory of director and actress Adrienne Shelly. Go to http://www.adrienneshellyfoundation.org/.

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

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