The Cake Eaters (2007)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Mary Stuart Masterson

Writer:

Jayce Bartok (writer)

Release Date:

13 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

life can be as sweet as you make it...

Plot:

Two families are brought together by the return of one family's son -- a reunion that conjures up old ghosts and issues that must be addressed.

Plot Keywords:

Low Life | Bus | Letter | Long Hair | Barn

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Kristen Stewart	...	Georgia
Aaron Stanford	...	Beagle
Bruce Dern	...	Easy
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Marg
Jayce Bartok	...	Guy
Miriam Shor	...	Stephanie
Talia Balsam	...	Violet
Jesse L. Martin	...	Judd
Melissa Leo	...	Ceci
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marylouise Burke	...	Babe
E.J. Carroll	...	Vito
Tom Cavanagh	...	Lloyd
Mary E. Freeman	...	Flea Market Shopper
Andrew George Jr.	...	Young Beagle
Elizabeth Girardeau	...	Maggie Lynn
Zoe Hunter	...	Girl on the Bus
Grant Monohon	...	Bum
Elisa Pugliese	...	Stacy
Vincent Rao	...	Flea Market Shopper
Nicole Signore	...	Flea Market Shopper
Elizabeth Van Meter	...	Hippy Chick

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and sexual material involving a teen.

Runtime:

95 min | Germany:100 min (European Film Market)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Catskill, New York, USA

Company:

57th & Irving Productions

Quotes:

Ceci: You know what, you are not going anywhere without your wheelchair.
Georgia: Mom, I don't need it yet.
Ceci: Georgia, you are covered in bruises.
Georgia: I know that! I'm the one that's dying remember, it's not you.
Ceci: What did you say?
Georgia: I just don't need you reminding me all the time.

A Cake For All

"The Cake Eaters" is so subtle a story and pleasing a film you won't notice how great it is until it is over. Much credit is due to Jayce Bartok, the screenwriter, as well as, Mary Stuart Masterson, the director, to fulfill the hearts of its characters while filling the souls of the audience. "Eaters" sweet subtleties meet heavy hearts touching on such powerful subjects as love, death, secrecy, adultery, disability, virginity, abandonment, and rebellion. With each character involved in one or more relationships: father/son, mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter, brothers; love: new, old, rekindled, exes; they are pulled apart at the seams, some almost to a breaking point, only to be shown how close they are.

At the heart of the story, in between all the eaters of cake, is Georgia, a young woman "living" with a rare genetic disorder that affects her mobility but not her spirit. Georgia is played wonderfully and with grace by Kristen Stewart ("Into the Wild"). Her performance is at the center of this story and is worthy of any if not all accolades (Oscar?). You find yourself so enmeshed in her ability to convince, that she makes "The Cake Eaters" truly magnificent.

As up-state New York sets the tone for the story it throws you back in time, maybe the 70's, while staying in the present. The film opens with footage of old home movies and settles nicely in a gray, rainy, folk art town, where everyone knows your name. And it sure seems nice to have been a part of it.