Cake: Una razón para vivir

This film tells the story of a woman with chronic pain, who becomes fixated with the suicide of a member in her support group. She works through the death of the friend, in order to work through her own grief.

Jennifer Aniston is only vaguely recognisable in this film, because she has scars on her face, she looks older, put on weight and basically is not looking glamorous at all. She plays this woman who is misusing pain killers, which gives her hallucinations. It is sad to see that she is so troubled by the events. I was also impressed by Adriana Barraza, who gives a stunning tirade in Spanish after Jennifer Aniston's ordeal on the train tracks. The tirade somehow leads to the satisfying ending, which is a subtly happy one.

It is not immediately apparent why the film is called "Cake", if you have not watched it. After watching it, I see why it is called cake, but I still find it a little to far fetched to be related to the central story line.

Claire Bennett (Jennifer Aniston) suffers from constant pain and struggling with a tragic lost. Her housekeeper Silvana (Adriana Barraza) is her constant and mostly her only helper. She goes to a support group where Nina Collins (Anna Kendrick) just committed suicide. After threatening group leader Annette (Felicity Huffman), she gets Nina's address and befriends Nina's husband Roy Collins (Sam Worthington). She's hooked on pain killers and haunted by Nina's presence.

Aniston does a great job. The story isn't much and there is a need for more tension. I am still not sold on Sam Worthington. His character has potential to give Aniston something to play off of but he provides very little. In contrast, William H. Macy has a juicy scene and goes to town on it. This is a simple story that needs something to elevate the danger. It's relying too much on simply will she or won't she.

The reviews were for this were... not good. Perhaps it was because of lowered expectations, but this was a perfectly fine, solid film. Not a great one, no, but a solid film that serves as a vehicle for some really good acting. Barraza injects a lot of humanity and compassion in her character, even if sadly, she's not given as much screen time as she deserves. And while it seemed like all of the hype for Jennifer Aniston was for the reason of who she was (and it probably was) she's strong here. There's no real ounce of superficiality or showing off, certainly not when the character isn't a very showy one to showcase. She would actually be deserving of an Oscar nomination.

An excellent film with an intriguing plot, delivered with a refreshingly down-to-earth storytelling. The buzz about Jennifer Aniston is actually true -- it takes very little time for Aniston to disappear on the screen (and after 15 years of daily Rachel, that in itself is a big achievement). It is someone new we are introduced to in the film, and well... I followed Claire with a mix of annoyance, empathy and curiosity, totally absorbed.

The central story is very good and the big answers are withheld from us in such way that you keep trying and paying attention not to miss anything, because in this film, there is much beauty in the detail. Much to Aniston's credit, it's her performance that grabs you, and the subtlety in how the story is revealed makes our understanding of what's happening to this broken body and soul both moving and endearing. There is humour as well, dark and quick, and it does not let you soak on it for too long. Just as life.

There are some minor "deviations" in the story which don't really add much to the realism of everything else, and it somewhat pulls you back from the emotional depth you had been immersed until then - but those are brief moments.

Small budget, great script, great direction and a solid, moving performance by Aniston (which led me to tears). The remaining cast deserves praise as well, and all comes together really nicel. But it should be said, Aniston has done a brilliant job on this one. She has talent. I would hope Hollywood-land is paying attention and allow us to enjoy more of her in more of these.

I am not a Jennifer Anniston fan although I have enjoyed the odd thing she has done over the years but she truly is gifted in this portrayal. The movie hinges on this character so if it was not done with great integrity and clarity and humor --it would not work. Ms. Anniston actually looks like a person and not terribly attractive at that --not a movie star in any way. Which is crucial to entering into this story. The supporting characters particularly her "maid" who is absolutely wonderful and integral to the story are mostly well drawn. It is not a movie that to entertain in the light vein (needless to say) but it is well worth watching for this compelling story of a woman in many kinds of pain and how she begins to overcome that overwhelming pain.