“Waitress” is a charming comedy that is simple, sweet and satisfying.

The film doesn’t have any A-list actors. It doesn’t have elaborate costumes or set designs. Nor does it have imaginative special effects. But it charms and it works.

Keri Russell (“Mission Impossible:III”, “Felicity”) plays Jenna, the gloomy waitress who is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband, Earl, played by Jeremy Sisto, is controlling, possessive and clueless. He tells Jenna he loves her, and he may, but treats her more like property than a wife.

When Jenna finds out she is pregnant, she is miserable – to say the least. She doesn’t feel very motherly and while she decides that she’ll keep the baby, she lacks her maternal instinct throughout her pregnancy. Her abysmal husband, Earl, is excited to hear the pregnancy news, but makes his wife promise she will not love their child more than him. Can’t you tell how mature and paternal he is?

Jenna finds support through her quirky Southern waitress friends Becky (Cheryl Hines) and Dawn (Adrienne Shelly). The trio works together at Joe’s Diner where Jenna makes amazing pies and conjures up new recipes with her life situations such as “I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby Pie” and “Pregnant Miserable Self Pitying Loser Pie.”

Hines is sassy and sharp in her no-nonsense role of Becky. The late Adrienne Shelly, who was also the director and screenwriter for the film, is lovable in her role as the mousy and peculiar Dawn. Without these friendships, Jenna wouldn’t know where to turn.

Nathan Fillion (Serenity) plays Jenna’s gynecologist, Dr. Pomatter. Fillion adds humor and flair to his role as the nervous and sensitive doctor.

From the moment Jenna meets Pomatter, it’s obvious that the two will fall in love. But Jenna is terrified of Earl and continues her lifeless and miserable marriage. Jenna continues to look forward to her doctor appointments and Pomatter brings out the best in the indecisive but nimble Jenna in their full-blown affair.

Andy Griffith also shows up in the film as Joe, the crusty owner of the diner where the girls work. Joe is a regular at the diner. With his picky orders and morsels of advice, he and Jenna form a special friendship.

It’s not until her baby is born when a spark of life is truly ignited in Jenna. Her heart and life change instantly with one look into her offspring’s eyes.

The film is predictable at times. We knew she’d fall for the doctor. We knew she’d fall in love with her baby. But watch the movie to find out if she’ll leave her domineering husband and shack up with the doctor.

The storyline, although simplistic, feels original with the life the lovable characters breathe into it. “Waitress” will have you laughing at times, hating Earl many times and maybe leave a tear in your eye.

The movie will have you singing Jenna’s “Gonna Make a Pie” song as you leave the theater and the film will surely leave a sweet taste in your mouth and heart.

Amy Ball can be reached at [email protected]