🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Rob McKittrick
- Genre: Comedy
- Release year: 2005
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (109K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of bored waiters play genital-flashing games and mess with customers’ food while a guy contemplates becoming a manager, basically a documentary disguised as a comedy.
🍿 Waiting…: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to ShenaniganZ
The film introduces ShenaniganZ, a fictional chain restaurant similar to TGI Fridays or Applebee’s, where a group of young, disaffected employees work. The opening scenes establish the mundane and often frustrating nature of their jobs, highlighting their shared boredom and resentment towards rude customers.

Dean’s Existential Crisis
Dean, a waiter who’s been stuck at ShenaniganZ for four years, faces an existential crisis when he learns a former high school classmate is now an engineer. He begins questioning his life choices and feels the pressure to move on from his dead-end job. Dan, the manager, offers Dean an assistant manager position, presenting him with a difficult decision.

Monty’s Misguided Mentorship
Monty, the charismatic but immature head waiter, takes on the task of training Mitch, a new employee. Monty exposes Mitch to the crude and often inappropriate antics of the restaurant staff, including their infamous ‘penis showing game.’ This serves as a crash course in the toxic work environment and the lengths to which employees go to alleviate boredom.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Monty (Ryan Reynolds): A charismatic but immature waiter who embraces his dead-end job and mentors the new trainee.
- Dean (Justin Long): A conflicted waiter contemplating his future and whether to accept a promotion or pursue his dreams.
- Mitch (John Francis Daley): The new waiter who is initiated into the restaurant’s chaotic culture and pranks.
- Serena (Anna Faris): A sarcastic waitress and Monty’s ex-girlfriend who offers a grounded perspective on the restaurant’s antics.
- Dan (David Koechner): The uptight and somewhat pathetic manager who tries to groom Dean as his successor.
- Raddimus (Luis Guzmán): The eccentric head chef whose crude humor and antics contribute to the restaurant’s chaotic atmosphere.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Monty: “I’m gonna be like 30 still working here, chasing jailbait.” – Monty says this while reflecting on his future, or lack thereof, at ShenaniganZ.
- Naomi: “Like that bitch needs to be eating dessert anyway.” – Naomi says this displaying her general disdain for customers.
- Raddimus: “I’m gonna stick my d*ck in the mashed potatoes!” – Raddimus says this while joking about what the cooks can do to customers’ food.
- Mitch: “You guys are all terrible.” – Mitch says this as he gets his revenge on the other staff members, at the end of the movie.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $3,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $16,124,543
- Worldwide Gross: $18,637,690
💥 Waiting… Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I worked at a Bennigan’s in college, and this movie hit way too close to home! The ‘game’ was a bit extreme, thankfully we didn’t do *that*, but the complaining, the weird customers, the feeling of being stuck – it was all there. Ryan Reynolds is hilarious as Monty, and Justin Long perfectly captures the ‘what am I doing with my life?’ vibe. The movie is definitely not for everyone, but if you’ve ever slung burgers or waited tables, you’ll probably find something to laugh about. The ending was kind of abrupt, but overall, I enjoyed it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of raunchy comedies like ‘Road Trip’ and ‘American Pie'”
- “Anyone who has worked in the restaurant industry and can relate to the film’s depiction of workplace dynamics”
- “Viewers who appreciate dark humor and aren’t easily offended”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor including explicit sexual content”
- “Frequent strong language”
- “Depictions of potentially offensive pranks”
- “Drug use”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While it boasts a talented cast, ‘Waiting…’ relies too heavily on shock value and juvenile humor, ultimately failing to deliver on its comedic potential. The film feels like a series of disconnected skits, lacking a cohesive plot or insightful commentary.
- Metacritic: “Though it attempts to capture the frustrations and absurdities of working in the service industry, ‘Waiting…’ suffers from inconsistent writing and a reliance on cheap gags. The performances are decent, but the material prevents the film from reaching its full potential.
- IMDB: “Waiting… may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it has carved out a solid niche, particularly among those who have worked in the food service industry. Its humor, though crude and often juvenile, resonates with the day-to-day realities of restaurant work, making it a cult classic.
Audience Reactions
The crude humor and relatable scenarios made this movie a cult classic for restaurant workers.: Viewers who have worked in the restaurant industry appreciated the film’s realistic portrayal of the job.
Ryan Reynolds’ performance as Monty was a standout, bringing comedic energy to the film.: The cast’s chemistry and comedic timing were praised, especially Ryan Reynolds.
Overall Consensus: A polarizing comedy that resonates strongly with those who have worked in the restaurant industry, but may be too crude or juvenile for others.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The restaurant ‘ShenaniganZ’ was filmed at a converted Bennigan’s, explaining the similar decor. After filming, the restaurant was renovated into a Verizon store.”
- “Director Rob McKittrick has stated that many of the characters and situations in the film were based on his own experiences working in the restaurant industry.”
- “Dane Cook’s role, while memorable, was relatively small due to his stand-up comedy touring schedule at the time.”
🖥️ How to Watch Waiting…?
Waiting… is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable VOD options. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also available through online retailers like Amazon and major brick-and-mortar stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Waiting…, you might like these similar films:
- Office Space (1999): Both films capture the drudgery and humor of working a dead-end job with quirky coworkers.
- Clerks (1994): Focuses on the mundane and comedic aspects of working in a retail environment, similar to the restaurant setting.
- Empire Records (1995): Explores the lives and relationships of young employees working in a record store, capturing a similar slacker vibe.
- Party Down (2009-2010): A comedy series about cater waiters in Los Angeles who are all trying to make it in Hollywood while working demeaning jobs.
🛒 Waiting… Related Products
- Waiting… (Unrated) [Blu-ray]: Unrated Blu-ray edition with extended scenes and uncensored content for die-hard fans of the film’s raunchy humor. Features behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast.
- Shenaniganz Restaurant T-Shirt: Show your love for the infamous Shenaniganz restaurant with this exclusive T-shirt. Made from high-quality, comfortable cotton, it features the restaurant’s logo and tagline.
- Waiting… Inspired ‘Don’t Mess with My Food’ Poster: A humorous poster inspired by the movie’s iconic line, ‘Never, ever, f*ck with someone who handles your food.’ Perfect for kitchens, restaurants, or anyone with a dark sense of humor.
- Restaurant Employee Survival Guide: A Humorous Take: A digital book filled with humorous anecdotes, tips, and survival strategies for navigating the chaotic world of the restaurant industry. Inspired by the movie’s themes.
🎧 Soundtrack
Waiting… features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While not directly based on one specific true story, ‘Waiting…’ draws inspiration from writer/director Rob McKittrick’s own experiences working in the restaurant industry. Many former restaurant employees have commented on the film’s accuracy in portraying the day-to-day realities of the job.
The ‘penis showing game’ is a recurring gag in the movie where male employees attempt to trick each other into looking at their exposed genitals. This is used as a way to pass the time and assert dominance within the group. The game’s crude nature is a key element of the film’s humor.
The ending is somewhat ambiguous, but it suggests that while some individuals like Dean are able to escape the confines of their dead-end jobs, others remain trapped. Mitch’s rebellion hints at a potential shift in the restaurant’s dynamics, but ultimately, the film implies a continuation of the cycle of boredom and frustration.
🔥 Bonus Content
Movie Summary: Waiting…
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant? This video gives you a hilarious glimpse into the lives of the staff at Shenaniganz, from quirky characters to the chaos of a busy day. Get ready for a good laugh and a new appreciation for your next dining experience.
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