Review of Cake (2014) by Harry W — 19 Aug 2015

"Jennifer Aniston deserved a better slice of cake compared to this slice of moldy cheese".

DVD Movie Review: Cake.

Date Viewed: April 24 2015.

Directed By Daniel Barnz (Beastly and Won't Back Down).

Written By Patrick Tobin.

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza,.

Mamie Gummer, Anna Kendrick, Felicty Huffman, Sam Worthington, Chris Messina,.

Lucy Punch, Britt Robertson and William H. Macy.

Jennifer Aniston received a lot of Oscar attention for her work as a damaged woman in "Cake". Among the few snubs the Oscars got right last January, they failed to nominate her for Best Actress. No wonder, everybody in North America including myself never even heard of this movie. I love to see Aniston doing serious work and she has proven that in small movies like "The Good Girl" and "Friends With Money". Sure, she has made a lot of dreck (Love Happens, The Bounty Hunter, Horrible Bosses 2, The Switch and Just Go With It) but Aniston is a fine actress.

At first, you might think that "Cake" is a food movie but no, it's about an acerbic but pleasant woman named Clarie (Aniston) trying to get over the suicide of Nina (Anna Kendrick), a young woman who was in her chronic pain support group. Her abrasive anger has driven everybody out of her life except for her house-maid Silvana (Adriana Barraza). Why does she have chronic pain? Well, she became embittered with her life after surviving a car accident, which killed her son. Claire may be finally putting her life back in order after she makes friends with Nina's husband, Roy Collins (Sam Worthington).

"Cake" is a movie that can use some anti-depressants because it is too serious for it's own good. Aniston just because you don't have makeup on you that doesn't mean you're getting an Oscar nomination. You need to have a script that suits you well for your dramatic chops. Director Daniel Barnz (Beastly and Won't Back Down) apparently didn't back down on this unsatisfying script. Jennifer Aniston gives a really good performance as a damaged woman trying to repair herself but the movie itself doesn't know where to go with her. She deserved a better slice of cake compared to this slice of moldy cheese.