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The Cake Eaters

Play trailer Poster for The Cake Eaters R,  2009,  1h 35m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 64% 25 Reviews Tomatometer 48% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
64% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The death of the Kimbrough family matriarch affects the three male survivors of the clan. Widower Easy (Bruce Dern) tries to reconnect with his old flame, Marg (Elizabeth Ashley). Eldest son and struggling musician Guy (Jayce Bartok) moves back to town, feeling guilty that he missed the funeral. His brother, Beagle (Aaron Stanford), who was his mother's caretaker, falls for Marg's granddaughter, Georgia (Kristen Stewart), a chronically ill girl who fears her time is growing short.
The Cake Eaters

What to Know

Critics 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.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Esposito Chicago Tribune Apr 10, 2009
3/4
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. Go to Full Review
Erin Meister Boston Globe Mar 27, 2009
2/4
There are only so many story threads an ensemble cast can hold. Go to Full Review
Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic Mar 18, 2009
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
MaryAnn Johanson Flick Filosopher Jul 6, 2010
[W]hat seems at first like a lean, spare psychic space in which much is left unspoken swells to burn white-hot. Go to Full Review
Jason McKiernan Filmcritic.com Apr 17, 2009
2/5
formulaic tripe, catharsis-by-the-numbers. Go to Full Review
Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Apr 9, 2009
2/4
The Cake Eaters mistakes characters and story quirks for character and story development. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leia S Apr 29, 2018 Mary Stuart Masterson directed this slow-moving drama.
Luke M Jul 7, 2017 Heart-warming, heart wrenching This is an emotional story about human love in a rural American setting. As such it will probably bring tears to your eyes. I know it did to mine. The script by Jayce Bartok and the direction by Mary Stuart Masterson are carefully composed to create a celebration of love that defies convention. BEWARE SPOILERS Georgia (Kristen Stewart) is a 15-year-old girl suffering from Friedreich's ataxia. When her to-be lover, cafeteria worker Beagle (Aaron Stanford), asks if she is going to get better, Georgia says, "No, this is pretty much as good as it's gonna get until my heart gives out." She has invited him into her bedroom to help her with her homework. At one point she says, "You can kiss me if you want to." Stewart plays the part with limbs all askew and dangling almost helplessly. Yet her face is so, so pretty and healthy looking that the contrast is striking. The next day they go to a motel. She is determined to experience love before she dies. The idea is so touching. Also sure to pull your heart strings is the older and mostly secret love affair between Easy Kimbrough (Bruce Dern) and Marg Kaminski (Elizabeth Ashley). Bittersweet is Guy Kimbrough's (Jayce Bartok) realization that his girlfriend Stephanie (Miriam Shor) has married and started a family in his absence. All of this could easily go from pathos to bathos to the maudlin except for the careful direction by Masterson and the fine acting all around. What I have been trying to figure out is why the movie is entitled "The Cake Eaters." What came to mind was Marie Antoinette's infamous, "Let them eat cake," but I couldn't see the connection. --Dennis Littrell, author of the movie review book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote" See more
Anakin S May 18, 2017 Very Scattered Movie. A disabled teenager on the hunt too lose her virginity, played by Stewart and not well at all. The guy she wants too lose it too is taking care of his elderly father, who's wife just past away. He's been cheating on his wife for years with a booze hag Who apparently is his dream girl. The so called bad ass musican brother pops in Bec he failed at being a rock star. Oh how bad ass he is with his guitar pick neckless and turtle tattoo!! Not! Not one character is likable. Just Yuck acting and pointless. See more
Leia R Feb 19, 2017 This indie drama is fair; the story just doesn't have enough meat on its bones to fully draw you in. The story evolves too slowly and basically goes nowhere. Better than average performances make it watchable. I think Stewart does an admirable job with her role as a terminally ill teen. I don't understand why she is consistently bashed for her acting. See more
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The Cake Eaters

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Movie Info

Synopsis The death of the Kimbrough family matriarch affects the three male survivors of the clan. Widower Easy (Bruce Dern) tries to reconnect with his old flame, Marg (Elizabeth Ashley). Eldest son and struggling musician Guy (Jayce Bartok) moves back to town, feeling guilty that he missed the funeral. His brother, Beagle (Aaron Stanford), who was his mother's caretaker, falls for Marg's granddaughter, Georgia (Kristen Stewart), a chronically ill girl who fears her time is growing short.
Director
Mary Stuart Masterson
Producer
Allen Bain, Darren Goldberg, Mary Stuart Masterson, Elle Key, Jesse Scolaro
Screenwriter
Jayce Bartok
Production Co
The 7th Floor
Rating
R (Some Language|Sexual Material Inv a Teen)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 13, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 35m
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