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‘Waiter’ (Wisconsin Film Festival)

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Also by Cailley Hammel:

'Waiter' (Wisconsin Film Festival) (April 3, 2008)
'Superbad' book super-amusing (March 28, 2008)
'Things learned' from UW alumni (March 10, 2008)
'Warpaint' more like finger paint (March 6, 2008)
'Detours' proves emotional, cheerful route worth taking (February 12, 2008)

by Cailley Hammel

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Since the Wisconsin Film Festival offers a cinematic buffet, it may be hard to settle on just a few movies. It was only in a seemingly blind manner that I came across “Waiter,” or “Ober,” as it is originally called in Dutch. But don’t panic — it has subtitles.

The film tells the story of Edgar, a waiter. Working at a slightly upscale restaurant, Edgar is fed up with more than his job, including everyone around him. From his wife to his neighbors and even his mistress, nothing is satisfying and Edgar’s life is going nowhere fast. With the realization that his life has been entirely produced by a screenwriter, Edgar is quick to demand some change to his mundane life, from more dignity to a sexy new girlfriend.

What makes this film intriguing is the obvious similarity to the Will Ferrell movie “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006). Yet it is that similarity that makes this film worth seeing. For a different perspective on a story we may have heard before — or just because the movie itself is Dutch and that’s cool too — give it a shot.

“Waiter” will be screened this Thursday in the Memorial Union Theater at 7 p.m.

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