The Absent-Minded Waiter
The Absent-Minded Waiter

Movie spotlight

The Absent-Minded Waiter

1977
Movie
7 min
English

Bernie Cates requests the services of the most absent-minded waiter he's ever seen, who pours water before setting the glasses, endlessly repeats questions, brings wrong orders, and ruins everything- but the bill.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: Robert BentonGenres: Comedy

Plot Summary

A successful writer, George, finds himself in a precarious situation when his affair with a married woman is discovered by her jealous husband. George attempts to navigate the chaotic fallout, which escalates into a series of comedic misunderstandings and near-disasters involving his concerned lawyer, his mistress's husband, and his own increasingly suspicious wife. The situation becomes a desperate attempt to maintain appearances and avoid professional ruin.

Critical Reception

The Absent-Minded Waiter received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics appreciated its witty dialogue and the performances of its ensemble cast, particularly Buck Henry, others found the plot convoluted and the humor to be somewhat dated. It did not achieve significant commercial success or critical acclaim, often being overshadowed by other comedies of the era.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp, witty dialogue and Buck Henry's performance.

  • Criticized for a plot that could be perceived as too complicated or unfocused.

  • Some found the humor to be a bit too dry or niche.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Absent-Minded Waiter' is not widely documented on Google reviews, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes.

Fun Fact

The film's script was written by actor Buck Henry, who also starred in the movie and was known for his work on 'Get Smart' and 'Saturday Night Live'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

A couple arrive at a fine dining establishment and specifically ask for the table serviced by "Steven" (Steve Martin). This man can barely hold his pencil up the right way and the ensuing service is shambolic at best. Not unreasonably, she ...