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Waiting is a 2005 American film directed by Rob McKittrick that depicts the lives of waiters and waitresses working in a chain restaurant called Shenaniganz. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long, Anna Faris, and Luis Guzmán. The film takes place over the course of one shift at Shenaniganz and follows the lives of several waiters and waitresses as they deal with the challenges of their jobs and the frustrations of their personal lives. The main character is Dean, played by Justin Long, who is a waiter at Shenaniganz and is awaiting a promotion to assistant manager. Dean is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, but begins to question whether he wants to settle down or stay a waiter for the rest of his life.

Other characters in the film include Monty, played by Ryan Reynolds, who is a slacker waiter that is constantly trying to avoid work and find ways to entertain himself. There is also Serena, played by Anna Faris, who recently graduated from college and is struggling to find direction in her life. Rounding out the cast is the veteran waiter, Raddimus, played by Luis Guzmán, who dispenses advice to the younger waiters and tries to keep the restaurant running smoothly.

Throughout the course of the film, the characters deal with a variety of challenges, ranging from difficult customers to personal relationships. The character development is driven primarily by the interactions between the various waiters and waitresses, as they gossip, joke around, and occasionally argue.

One of the major themes of the film is the idea that working as a waiter is a dead-end job with no future prospects. This is highlighted by the various characters who are all stuck in the same job for years and are unable to move up in the company. This theme is underscored by the fact that the restaurant they work in is part of a chain, which further emphasizes the lack of individuality and creativity in their jobs.

Another major theme is the idea that the restaurant industry is inherently exploitative, with the waiters and waitresses being underpaid and overworked. The film depicts several instances of the management staff taking advantage of the waiters and waitresses, such as requiring them to work overtime without pay or making them clean the bathrooms on their breaks.

Despite these negative themes, the film is ultimately a comedy and contains a lot of laughs. The humor is primarily derived from the interactions between the various characters and the absurd situations they find themselves in. There are also a number of running gags throughout the film, such as Monty's ongoing quest to "weed out the weak" by making the new employees quit.

Overall, Waiting is an enjoyable film that provides a humorous and somewhat dark look at the life of a waiter or waitress. The characters are relatable and likeable, and the film does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of a real restaurant. While the film is not particularly deep or profound, it does provide some interesting commentary on the restaurant industry and the challenges faced by those who work in it.