Film Review: ‘Waffle Street’
Could you imagine working for a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, being on the brink of a promotion, and then being fired and having to work minimum wage at a chain waffle restaurant as a server?
This riches-to-rags story is true for James Adams, who wrote his memoir on making a career out of corporate greed to creating a life based on work with honesty and integrity. The film adaptation, “Waffle Street,” stars James Lafferty (“One Tree Hill”) as Jimmy Adams and Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”) as Edward, the waffle cook that teaches Jimmy about hard work and passion.
Told as a first person narrative, Jimmy Adams paints himself as a child that always had a goal to make money and be successful. The adult Jimmy Adams emulates the same ideals as the VP of a thirty billion dollar hedge fund. On the brink of becoming a partner, Jimmy’s world is turned upside down when the company he works for, Alpha, fires him as a scape goat for their actions. His wife, Becky Adams, played by Julie Gonzalo (“Drake and Josh”) is supportive, but distraught about their finances as Jimmy starts working for Papa’s Chicken and Waffles, a chain restaurant from his youth, with the ultimate goal of owning a franchise. His revelation about the necessity for honest, hard work, is realized in his actions of taking a, what some would say, bad job.
Being a “One Tree Hill” fan, it was hard for me to turn over the idea of James Lafferty as a character other than Nathan Scott, however as the film begins with a montage of old photographs and typography, my doubts about Lafferty’s credibility as another character melted away. Perfectly cast, Lafferty’s acting is superb and very refreshing after his apparent hiatus from acting over the past few years.
Glover’s role as a passionate, dependable mentor for Jimmy at Papa’s brought the audience into the intimate relationship they shared and I believed that Glover and Edward were one in the same, not just a character he was playing. Although the movie was based off a much lengthier novel, I wish there had been more character development between Jimmy and Edward. For most of the movie, I wanted more interaction between the pair to justify the plot line. Edward plays a big role in Jimmy’s lifestyle changes; he inspires him to work hard and tells him there is hope for a better future, despite your background.
Becky and Jimmy’s relationship, although not the focal point of the film, was a vital plot line in the story. The complete upheaval of Jimmy’s career is bound to take a toll on his family and future. The on screen chemistry between Lafferty and Gonzalo was lacking in terms of realness. While it did not detract from the film, I wish there was more emotion to their relationship.
The highlight of the film is the humor. As an effect of a well-cast set of actors, “Waffle Street” is filled with hilarious characters that the audience wants to befriend. I found myself laughing throughout the movie. From Dale Dickey playing a lovable, but mentally unstable woman, to William Knight playing a sharp, insulting grandfather, the movie is filled with characters that hold their own, despite the centrality of Jimmy Adams as the main character.
“Waffle Street” is a feel-good movie that completely reverses the idea of the classic rags-to-riches story. With a well-cast crew, the movie emphasizes the importance of honesty and passion versus greed and cheating. While teaching an important lesson about what really matters in life, “Waffle Street”, as based off of a true story, shows the amazing journey James Adams undertook and came out of, richer than before.
I can’t wait to see this movie hit major theaters.
Watch the trailer here:
Reach Staff Reporter Sierra Lai here.
