Cake

Courtesy of Cinelou Releasing, Freestyle Releasing, After Dark Films, and Echo Films

Starting out, I think it prudent to say I think Jennifer Aniston is the epitome of strength, driven acting, and pure beauty. No one would argue that Aniston gives a career turning performance in this film, about a woman burdened with grief, and addicted to painkillers after a terrible accident. The general narrative of the cloistered, rich lady addicted to pills is subverted through a heartbreaking story of companionship in mourning.

What people remember most about this film was that Jennifer Aniston only wore a little, if no, makeup throughout the shooting of this film.  As huge as this is (sense the sarcasm?) what many others remember is everyone saying that Aniston was a contender for a Best Actress nomination at the 2015 Academy Awards. While it would make sense for her to gain a footing, compared to the nominees from this year, it has always been seen as a long shot.

The story centers on an accident suffered by Aniston, which leaves her in intense pain. Her marriage falls apart, and it's hinted that she may have lost someone else dear to her. She finds solace in the recent suicide of former groupmate Nina (Kendrick) who comes to her in hallucinatory glimpses she can't touch but desperately wants to experience. Made cynical and unable to cope with the people around her, her only friend is her maid and caretaker, Silvana (Barraza).

 The film drags, making it a little too long, and at times repetitive, and there's a cameo from Britt Robertson that need not exist, but overall this is a solid film that tells a heartbreaking, if familiar, story. If there had been more attention to editing, this may have been lauded as one of the best films of the last year. As it stands it’s an actors’ film dealing with common themes.