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Movies / On DVD / The Cake Eaters
The Cake Eaters

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The Cake Eaters (2009)

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Reviews Counted:22

Fresh:15

Rotten:7

Average Rating:6.2/10

Consensus: Though light on theme and craftsmanship, The Cake Eaters relies on fine performances and brisk direction to provide an affecting tale of small-town life.

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: For her directorial debut, actress Mary Stuart Masterson (BENNY & JOON) has created a subtle, textured film. In THE CAKE EATERS, Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) stars as Georgia, a 15-year-old girl with... For her directorial debut, actress Mary Stuart Masterson (BENNY & JOON) has created a subtle, textured film. In THE CAKE EATERS, Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) stars as Georgia, a 15-year-old girl with a rare, debilitating neurological disorder. Sheltered by her artist mother, she's eager to experience life in the little time she has left. She begins a romance with 20-something Beagle (Aaron Stanford, THE HILLS HAVE EYES), while her grandmother (Elizabeth Ashley, EVENING SHADE) continues a decades-long affair with Easy, Beagle's father (Bruce Dern, COMING HOME). Easy's prodigal son (Jayce Bartok) returns from a three-year absence to find an angry brother and a jilted ex-fiancée. Masterson's clout as an actress couldn't have hurt in gathering such a strong cast. The young Stewart's performance carries the film. Though Georgia's motor skills are impaired, her movements never eclipse the emotion on Stewart's face. It's a mature and adept appearance for the actress. At the other end of the spectrum is veteran Dern. He's frequently the highlight of films in which he appears, and THE CAKE EATERS is no exception. Bartok wrote the film's screenplay and plays the man who tries to go home again. Although he's a better writer than actor in this film, he allows his fellow cast members to shine. In addition to the great performances, Duncan Sheik's relaxed piano and acoustic guitar score perfectly matches the film's rural New York State setting. [More]

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford, Bruce Dern, Elizabeth Ashley

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford, Bruce Dern, Elizabeth Ashley, Melissa Chessington Leo, Jesse L. Martin, Miriam Shor

Director: Mary Stuart Masterson

Director: Mary Stuart Masterson
Screenwriter: Jayce Bartok
Producer: Jesse Scolaro, Allen Bain
Composer: Duncan Sheik
Studio: 7-57 Releasing

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Reviews for The Cake Eaters

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
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As we fade out with Easy and sons bonding over steak and beers, our cockles are warmed -- the movie forgotten.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
03/10/09
Aaron Hillis
Aaron Hillis
Village Voice

Stand out performances, interesting character dynamic but overall, kind of a flat film that really doesn’t have you too emotionally invested.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
03/23/09
Ben Lyons
Ben Lyons
At the Movies

There are only so many story threads an ensemble cast can hold.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
03/27/09
Erin Meister
Erin Meister
Boston Globe

The Cake Eaters is a bland ensemble drama with an unremarkable script.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
03/12/09
Gary Goldstein
Gary Goldstein
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

formulaic tripe, catharsis-by-the-numbers.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/17/09
Jason McKiernan
Jason McKiernan
Filmcritic.com

The Cake Eaters mistakes characters and story quirks for character and story development.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
04/09/09
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The story is so wispy that it feels only half-written; basically, nothing much happens here. Not a total washout, but it seems more like a TV movie.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
03/27/09
Stan Hall
Stan Hall
Oregonian

I think there is a future in directing for Mary Stewart Masterson.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
03/23/09
Ben Mankiewicz
Ben Mankiewicz
At the Movies

These are people whose company you enjoy, in good times and bad. Taking place over a short period of time, it's a small slice of life, yes. But as the title implies, it's a tasty one as well.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
03/18/09
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

An old-fashioned minor key drama, "The Cake Eaters" is the exact type of film that is the cornerstone of modern American Independent cinema.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
03/06/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Pleasant, low-key drama about two small-town families with secrets. Though familiar in many respects, Mary Stuart Masterson's feature directorial debut has a quiet charm.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/16/09
Eric Monder
Eric Monder
Film Journal International

A small movie in every way, but solidly crafted and respectably acted.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
03/12/09
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

Loaded with potentially maudlin material, Mary Stuart Masterson’s directorial debut turns out to be an economical, affecting slice of small-town naturalism.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
03/11/09
Joshua Land
Joshua Land
Time Out New York

Kristen Stewart is lovely, as is Masterson's beautifully crafted first film.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment 1 Comment
03/13/09
Marcy Dermansky
Marcy Dermansky
About.com

Masterson draws beautifully modulated performances from her strong ensemble cast ... It balances sweetness and sadness without ever leaning too heavily on either quality.

Full Review Source: Hollywood & Fine | comment Comment
03/10/09
Marshall Fine
Marshall Fine
Hollywood & Fine

In her first feature film, Masterson creates a slice of life that is very believable (especially if you’ve ever seen The Jerry Springer Show), and often endearing.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
04/10/09
Michael Esposito
Michael Esposito
Chicago Tribune

Disease of the week suds are subverted in Kristen Stewart's oddly empowering disability sex romp. And though Cake is half baked at times, these impulsive humans going for the metaphorical dessert in life while skipping real sustenance, has a goofy appeal.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
03/09/09
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze

The Cake Eaters is a small but rewarding slice of realism that is a nice antidote to the surfeit of slasher movies that have been polluting the ozone lately.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
03/11/09
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer

Masterson, like many actors, is an assured director even in her debut; working with her brother Pete as cinematographer, she creates a spell and a tenderness and pushes exactly as far as this story should go.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
03/12/09
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Superior acting elevates a small, overcrowded ensemble piece set in rural upstate New York into something a little deeper.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
03/13/09
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for The Cake Eaters

May 25, 2009: Disease of the week suds are subverted in Kristen Stewart's oddly empowering disability sex romp. And though Cake is half baked at times, these impulsive humans going for the metaphorical dessert in life while skipping real sustenance, has a goofy appeal. Opens in new window
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