Nos soirées gâteau-bar

Knowing nothing about this movie going in, the first 20 minutes sets up like it's going to be a romantic comedy. Introvert learns how to be outgoing and gains the confidence to talk to the guy she has a crush on. What you get instead is something much more poignant and, at times, tough to watch. The whole second half of the movie is pretty sad, with just a few moments of much-needed levity from Corinne's parents. It's not a great movie, but it's hard not to get caught up in the story and feel something by the end. It did make me want to bake a cake or two. And I love the idea of the two Billies tour. Let's make that happen.

It's so fitting that Bette Midler appears in this movie as it does have strong Beaches vibes. I love her role as boss lady with a big heart. But the real gems are the two leads who play best friends. We see their highs and lows, their wrestling with the decisions in young adult life, but also their complete sacrificial love for one another as the movie progresses. Another thing I loved was that both girls had strong parental support (imperfect, but definitely loving and supportive). It's rare these days to have main characters with parents still married. Love that. You get really drawn into loving both female leads. I loved the ending, which I don't often say with movies. It felt right and good. This is sweet. Sad, yes, but so sweet and endearing. It will stick with you.

As described by the literal title of this 2023 tearjerker, it's a wafer-thin concept wrapped around a familiar terminal illness story based on a significant chapter in screenwriter Audrey Shulman's own life. Directed in an uneven manner by Trish Sie, the plot focuses on best friends Jane and Corinne, early twenty-somethings who have been close since age seven. Similar to this film's predecessors from 1971's "Brian's Song" to 2022's "Spoiler Alert", the two are total opposites in their approach to life, but they bond even deeper through the inevitable tragedy. The two leads do solid work - Odessa A'zion as the outgoing Corinne and Yara Shahidi as introverted Jane even though her character's awkwardness is laid on awfully thick initially. The emotionalism behind the drama really can't transcend the predictable plot machinations and aggressively tearjerking moments like the concluding karaoke scene. The supporting performances feel marginalized, in particular, Rish Shah as Jane's smitten love interest and an underutilized Bette Midler as Corinne's firebrand boss. Ron Livingston and Martha Kelly manage a few good moments as Corinne's parents. Fans of this familiar film genre will likely enjoy it.

If you are expecting a romance or comedy, this is not the movie for you. But it is a lovely movie of friendship and finding and following your dreams. Good cast. Clever premise. A different take on the coming of age movie that's relevant to today's world. Bring lots and lots and lots of tissues because you will start crying halfway through it and won't necessarily stop crying. Heart wrenchingly lovely-you should be clued in by Bette Midler that you will be getting something more like Beaches. The cakes are fantastic to look at and in the end you'll be satisfied, as long as you realize Corrine is a foil and it's all about Jane.

Shy Jane (Yara Shahidi) and outgoing Corinne (Odessa A'zion) are longtime best friends living together in L. A. Jane likes to bake cakes and brings one to a club. Corinne suggests keep making cakes for their club nights. There is a dark life turn.

The cake premise is silly. I get that it's a true story. It's silly as preparation for this dark turn. Jane needs to be more shy and nerdy. Corinne is bringing her out of her shell. The movie should steer harder into that premise. Yara Shahidi is too self-assured. She's a cool chick. Her persona is far from Jane. The movie needs to try harder or pick another actress. Once the dark turn happens, It's sappy to the core and that's great. It should wallow in the sappiness. I'm happy with the second half.