Cake

So... a pretty, funny, former sitcom actress... gives us a few signs that she might be capable of playing roles outside of the 'amusing chick' rom-com regular.

She does parts that secure her reputation of being a talented American 'cutie', she plays 'off-beat' characters with ease... and only occasionally lets the 'pay-day' Hollywood 'starlet' see the light of day.

Then she does this. A film that explores suicide, mental illness, self-loathing and the morality of friendship.

At the age of 60, I have gotten used to the annual round of 'Oscar Worthy' films being shoved down our throats... but this is different. Fine writing, authentic story telling... and unnecessarily great acting.

Any 'Oscar' hungry actor could have made a decent job of this... but Ms Aniston makes a brilliant job of it. She is no 'pretty-girl' actor here... she displays vulnerability, courageous wit... and does it all with aplomb.

If she doesn't get 'Best Actress'... the 'Oscars' are irrelevant.

Every once in a while, and admittedly not often enough, an actor or actress opens your eyes to talents you weren't aware they inhabited. Over the past few decades, I think of performers like Charlize Theron in "Monster" or Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball" as prime examples. Joining the elite list is the beautiful and incredible Jennifer Aniston in Daniel Barnz's "Cake" co-starring Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza. In a turn that stands as the single best performance by an actress this year, Aniston offers her heart and soul in the role of her career. "Cake" tells the story of Claire Simmons, a woman addicted to pain killers who begins to hallucinate and see visions of Nina (Anna Kendrick), a woman who commits suicide from her chronic pain support group. Not so long after, she starts a friendship with Nina's husband Roy (Sam Worthington), all while worrying the heart of her angelic housekeeper Silvana (Barraza). Screenwriter Patrick Tobin, a relatively unknown scribe whose only credit is "No Easy Way" nearly twenty years ago, gives a strong focus on the creation of Claire. In partnership with Aniston's talent, Claire comes off like the female equivalent to Melvin from "As Good as it Gets." Snippy, darkly funny at times, but mostly emotionally driven by an aching pain. Tobin's work on character creation is top-notch however, with his ability to move the story along fluidly, there's still some work to be done. When we dig into the people that surround Claire, it's only Silvana that doesn't feel like a clichéd representation of every sappy independent movie you've seen over the years. Director Daniel Barnz has a confident hand on the material and does his very best to elevate the script's flaws. With huge misfires like "Won't Back Down" and "Beastly" under his belt, he finally shows what some of his aesthetic beats can create with the right material. The movie has many interesting questions, some of which feel satisfying and comfortable to ask, other things however feel so small scale that the film itself can't keep up with it. The film lives and breathes, succeeds and soars, and stands tall by the work of Jennifer Aniston. I've liked Aniston since "Friends," my single favorite sitcom of all-time but her film choices have left much to be desired. I never knew that Aniston could dig so deep. I pray to the movie Gods that this is not a one-trick pony for her career. Aniston allows herself to be submerged, and overtaken by all the things that plague Claire's life. A single scene involving a large wall picture will bring many to tears. Adriana Barraza is nearly just as effective as Aniston in a role that will hopefully remind Hollywood that they are not tapping into one of the finest actresses working today. An emotional pillar to the story, Silvana's heart is worn on her sleeve, weaving in and out of Spanish, and presenting brilliant chemistry with Aniston. Sam Worthington continues to try to find his place in Hollywood. Subtle but emotionally distant for anyone to relish. Surprisingly moving, though brief is Chris Messina as Jason. He's a role or two away from having THE role that propels him to stardom. Anna Kendrick is haunting in a performance that beckons and calls for a change of pace for the actress. Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy are effective in brief, underwritten roles. We also get a final look at the late Misty Upham, which is tragic on its own. Overall, "Cake" hits the center of grief and loss just good enough to warrant a positive reaction. Jennifer Aniston's performance is something that most actresses will pray to be able to achieve, but never come close. An effortless turn that doesn't fade in the distance or crumble under the cloud of a faulty script. She excels in a performance that demands respect from her peers, and movie- goers everywhere.

"Thank you for ruining my life. Thank you for ruining Casey's life. Thank you for leaving me in this mess. I hate you so much I can barely breath."

"Way to go Jennifer". For me she's the first one who succeeds in removing the yoke of the sitcom "Friends" and play a character that doesn't remind you of that caricature appearance she played in it. Look at David Schwimmer in "The Iceman" and you see Ross with a totally wrong,fake mustache. Even Matthew Perry's can't hide the characteristics of Chandler in "Numb". Lisa Kudrow tries in "Scandal" to resemble an extremely cool and tough presidential candidate, and yet you expect a crazy remark followed by that wonderful bizarre giggle. And Jennifer Aniston couldn't put the Rachel-type aside in "The Break-Up" and "We're the Millers". But in "Cake" she succeeded in that above all expectations. She delivers a sublime and admirable performance here as Claire Bennett. A scarred woman, physical and psychological. You can see the pain in that tired look and those languid eyes. Even the sneering and cynical humor that she uses, can't cover up the agonies she's suffering from.

After a fatal accident Claire stays behind all alone, with visible and invisible scars. A mangled body patched up afterwards. But she can no longer enjoy life to its full extent. And then there's also the unbearable pain caused by the loss of her son. The result is a bitter, suffering and obnoxious woman abandoned by everyone. The support group prefers her to seek a different kind of help because of her anger issues. The physiotherapist is giving up on her because she has the impression that Claire makes no attempt to rehabilitate. Her husband left her for an unknown reason. Is it because of her moods and harsh remarks? Is there some reproach? Has Claire thrown him out because she doesn't tolerate pity? We can only guess. Similarly, the conditions or cause of the accident are unknown. The only one who sticks to Claire, is her faithful housekeeper, the likable Mexican Silvana.

It's a magnificent portrait of the life course of a presumably wealthy lawyer who slowly but surely sees everything collapsing around her due to the traumatic event. Both her marriage and professional career falters while she's losing herself because of the amount of painkillers and sleeping pills she's taking. What's left is a human wreck without any zest for life. There's only one critical element missing : the courage to finally put it to an end. A backbreaking attitude to life with pent-up grief and eternally recurrent pain as a central issue. You can truly feel the pain. And this all is perfectly played by Jennifer Aniston, who isn't worrying about a perfect makeup and a flashy hairstyle which would be massively hyped afterwards. Her appearance always looks as if she just crawled out of bed after a sleepless night. A face battered by scars, unkempt messed up hair and shabby clothes. A depressed and weary bitchy woman. But one who occasionally brings up funny and sarcastic remarks.

Gradually Claire expresses interest in a participant from her support group who committed suicide and it seems to be her ultimate salvation. Is it the drugs that causes Claire to start hallucinating about Nina (Anna Kendrick) ? Or is her subconscious the reason ? Whether appropriate or not Nina appears and tries to convince her to take that final step. "You don't believe in God...heaven or hell. You don't believe in anything. What about now. Just do it. Don't be such a coward." Claire is intrigued by the character Nina and starts digging in her life. Finally she meets Roy (Sam Worthington), which is the start of a slow recovery. Maybe it's all a bit too much peppered with poignant clichés that'll ensure some sad moments filled with tears, but overall it was a bold and moving portrait of someone torn apart by grief and pain.

Perhaps an Oscar nomination was worthwhile. At least Jennifer Aniston got nominated for a Golden Globe. And by the way well deserved. This "Friends" star delivered a terrific performance as the distraught,addicted-to-pills woman. And speaking of the symbolic meaning of the movie title, this is subtly revealed at the end. Splendid movie. And also because of leaving out sensational footage of the accident. An admirable choice that only strengthens the whole!

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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.

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.