Watch The Absent-Minded Waiter

The Absent-Minded Waiter is a comedy short film that tells the story of a hapless waiter named Steven, played by Steve Martin. Throughout the film, Steven continually forgets orders, spills drinks and generally creates chaos in the restaurant he works at. Despite his incompetence, he's still trying his best to be a good waiter, providing hilarious hijinks along the way.

The film begins with Steven serving an elderly couple at a table, diligently trying to ensure their satisfaction but failing miserably. He spills a glass of water all over the husband and later accidentally pours coffee on the wife, leaving them both disgusted with his service. The next customer, played by Teri Garr, tries to order a hamburger but Steven misunderstands and brings her a banana split. Steven then loses one of her shoes, causing her to complain about his forgetfulness, and demanding a different waiter.

In an attempt to redeem himself, Steven tries to memorize the orders of the other customers in the restaurant while balancing plates on his head. This, of course, leads to more chaos and mishaps.

The manager of the restaurant, played by Buck Henry, evokes sympathy for Steven's character, saying that he has a good heart and always tries his best, even if that doesn't always translate into good service. However, when Steven undermines his boss and forgets the name of a VIP customer at the restaurant, he realizes that he may be in danger of losing his job.

Throughout the film, Martin's comedic timing is spot-on, and his physical comedy is excellent. The viewer can't help but laugh at his misadventures, even as he continues to make his customers' lives miserable. The supporting cast, including the hilarious Buck Henry and the ever-entertaining Teri Garr, deliver excellent performances, elevating the humor of the film.

The Absent-Minded Waiter was written by Martin, who was relatively unknown at the time, and directed by Carl Gottlieb, who was famous for his work on Jaws. Despite its short run time of just 7-minutes, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film, Live Action in 1977. The film helped launch Martin's career, and it showcases his exceptional talent as a comedian and actor.

Overall, The Absent-Minded Waiter is an absolute delight to watch. The humor is timeless, and Martin's performance is a masterclass in physical comedy. The film provides a glimpse into the early days of Steve Martin's career and showcases his exceptional talent as a comedian and actor. Even after all these years, The Absent-Minded Waiter is still a must-watch film for anyone looking to laugh and enjoy a good comedy.