Waiting...

A ragtag crew of servers and cooks kill slow shifts at Shenanigan's, a family-style chain where tips are small and the drama is large. Monty and his coworkers trade insults, schemes, and petty revenge to get through long nights while flirting with real-life possibilities outside the restaurant. Customers with impossible orders, an overzealous manager, and office-style rivalries keep the tempo fast, and the cast turns everyday service work into a backdrop for offbeat jokes, awkward romances, and escalating practical jokes. The film keeps its tone loose, focusing on the daily grind without giving away any big twists.

Released in 2005 and directed by Rob McKittrick, Waiting... features Ryan Reynolds as Monty, Anna Faris as Serena, Justin Long as Dean, David Koechner as Dan, and Luis Guzmán as Raddimus. The ensemble casting helped sell the film's comic energy and timing.

The film had a modest theatrical run, drawing a niche audience rather than mainstream box office dominance. It performed stronger on home video and among viewers who appreciate workplace comedies, which extended its visibility beyond theaters.

Critics were mixed, and audience scores reflect a middling but fond response, with a vote average around 6.2 out of 10 from hundreds of voters. Viewers who enjoy abrasive humor and workplace banter tend to like its tone, while others flag its crude bits. Major themes include boredom at low-wage jobs, camaraderie among coworkers, and the small rebellions people use to make dull jobs feel tolerable.

Waiting... left a mark as a recognizable bar for service-industry comedies, especially among servers and restaurant regulars who quote its riffs and recall its set pieces. It helped raise the profiles of several cast members, and scenes from the movie pop up when friends trade stories about awful customers and the ridiculous rules of tipping culture.