Waffle Street

source: Waffle Street

I really enjoyed watching this with my wife. It was fun, entertaining, funny and had a really good message. Knowing that all of this really happened really added to it.

James Adams (Jimmy Adams ) gets fired from his job as a Financial Manager living by the mantra, "If it is legal, it is not unethical." He downsizes his life with an expecting wife (Julie Gonzalo) and does penance working at the local Papa Waffles. Here he learns the problems of everyday people and makes some real friends, mostly ex-cons. This is based on a true story and book by the same name. The film has a Disney, "all well that ends well" aspect to it. Julie Gonzalo was a remarkably supportive wife and I wonder how much of the story was sanitized for our protection. There were not any great drama scenes. The drama scenes were minor and may have been stretched to create a theme about hard work, or loving what you do, or something like that. I never really felt sorry for the main character as he had savings and family and an education he could always fall back upon if he got tired of cleaning toilets. Most people in those positions don't have those options. PLOT SPOILER: Rich guy loses his job, spends a 1,000 hours (less than 6 months) at a real job, has an epiphany about labor, then starts his own financial advisement firm. How nice for him. Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity. Family friendly film.

When the movie started stating this story was based on real life events I was expecting that the main character James Adams was going to accomplish something stunningly remarkable but in the end it's just not that exceptional, on the contrary it's quite dull and non significant. That said the story is still pleasant to follow, with good acting from James Lafferty, Julie Gonzalo and the rest. Danny Glover plays a character we're familiar with for him by now, the old wise guy that has seen it all, nothing spectacular but it works in this movie. I wouldn't say I laughed a lot, just some giggles, but for a dramady it's worth a watch. It made me crave some waffles though.

If you're like me and think most American comedies sucks, watch this one. It proves that comedy is a genre that works best with unknown actors, and revolves around every day problems and ordinary people. It completely a avoids the common stereotypes seen in so many American films, and balances each character quite well. Even the "villain" owner who owns the cafe has his disappointing choices explained. The criminals working in the cafe are actually good people. This is an honest modern take on the working class. The only big name actor here, Danny Glover, plays a surprisingly good supporting role.

Such a good movie! It is so cute and every seen is made with love

I thought this movie was a refreshing take on a story that could be told a dozen different ways. It felt real. As many people who worked in food service can tell you, there was a lot to identify with in this story. Going from finance to being a server in a chain restaurant, there will be one huge difference: in a financial job, you don't leave the work behind at the office. Unless you own the restaurant, or have major management duties, you WILL leave it physically and mentally at the end of your shift. The main character in this film experiences that. Working double shifts (been there, done that!) is one way he can accumulate hours. But once he's out there, he's OUTTA there. This is a wonderful thing. No e-mails at 3 a.m. or phone calls at 5:30 a.m. No second-guessing a decision you made that might have you fired. No waking up in a panic because you realize you sent the wrong report to the company copy center. Sweet simple absence from the place of work, in every sense, at the end of the day. Then - it starts all over again at the next scheduled shift. Jimmy, our hero, appreciates this. Who wouldn't? It's relaxing just to see that simple balance portrayed on the screen. What other things are going on shows that the job may be simple but the financial players involved are not. You don't stray far from the ways that money corrupts. Ever. All of these things, along with Ed (Danny Glover's character) commenting on what must be really important, make this film have the ring of truth for anyone who has EVER had a job. You've had a job? Then it was 9 to 5 or it was round the clock. Take your pick, which would you like? You'll pay for your choice. This movie is about the price.

There is something morbidly fascinating about watching a former finance executive struggle with working in a fast food franchise. A trader in mortgage backed securities gets sacked for some scapegoat reason and decides to do something down to earth. This isn't a comedy - it's kind a of a life change drama told in a semi serious tone and it gets quite depressing when they sell their home. One surprising thing is his wife is supportive beyond belief putting up with his whims and fancies and changing their life situation so much. James Lafferty of One Tree Hill and Julie Gonzalo of Veronica Mars are quite appealing leads. Danny Glover plays an ex con cook. Interesting but a little sad.

Jimmy Adams is a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a very popular waffle shop. Among the madness of the 24-hour diner, Jimmy befriends Edward, an ex-con grill master who serves up not only the best grits in the business, but lessons about life, boxing, and mastering the grill... This is one of those films that is nothing more than a big warm hug. Even if you appear to be at your lowest ebb, this film will brighten your day and probably inspire you. And that's my only gripe with the film, everything feels just too safe, and even though it is based on fact, the film depicts that Adams really has nothing to worry about, even though he sacrifices a lot, because he has numerous subliminal cushions to fall back on, in case of an emergency. Everyone warms to him almost instantly, and the two characters who don't, really add nothing tho the films narrative. Glover is excellent as the Mickey/Duke homage from the Rocky films, guiding this well educated man down the common sense road. Jimmy helps everyone out, even the customers, and although his plans sound extremely delusional, his loving wife hardly ever becomes concerned about his well being. There is a hint of loss for about two minutes toward the end, but that soon subsides thanks to the bank of Dad. But it's a well made film, the restaurant scenes have genuine warmth and camaraderie that is rarely seen in recent cinema, and like I've already said, it's one of the most feelgood films I've seen in a very long time...

In the end titles we see photos of actual people depicted in an enjoyable, but light weight, story. The amusing idea of a well-to-do financier having to find work serving in a fast-food joint was based on real events. The film chose the feel good option, touching fleetingly on some serious economic issues. People relationships feature, centred on the fantastically lovey-dovey central couple. There are glimpses of other less happy couples. I enjoyed the film because of the humour and the occasional flashes of human dilemmas. I feel more of the people's dilemmas in this context would have made a less humorous but a much better film.