Performance & Direction: The Absent-Minded Waiter Review
Last updated: February 1, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Absent-Minded Waiter (1977) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Absent-Minded Waiter features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve Martin . Supported by the likes of Teri Garr and Buck Henry , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Absent-Minded Waiter
Quick Plot Summary: The Absent-Minded Waiter is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Absent-Minded Waiter
Ending Breakdown: The Absent-Minded Waiter concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Absent-Minded Waiter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Absent-Minded Waiter?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Top Cast: The Absent-Minded Waiter
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The Absent-Minded Waiter Parents Guide & Age Rating
1977 AdvisoryWondering about The Absent-Minded Waiter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Absent-Minded Waiter is 7 minutes (7m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Absent-Minded Waiter is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1977 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Absent-Minded Waiter worth watching?
The Absent-Minded Waiter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Absent-Minded Waiter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Absent-Minded Waiter identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Absent-Minded Waiter?
The total duration of The Absent-Minded Waiter is 7 minutes, which is approximately 0h 7m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Absent-Minded Waiter
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 (Teri Garr) isn't very impressed with her husband (Buck Henry) for suggesting this place but he's clearly got a plan - and it could be the gift that keeps on giving. We had a slew of compendium sketch shows in the UK in the 1970s and this would have fitted easily within one of them, only not at what seemed quite a long seven minutes. It's just too ridiculous on just about every level, and isn't really very funny either. Not really for me, sorry.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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