Amy Adler
Philippa "Pippa" McGee (Heather Graham) is the freelance journalist daughter of a respected publishing giant. One of dad's publications is Wedding Bells, an advice rag for those who intend to walk down the aisle in the near future. Pippa's mother was once involved with this particular magazine but she passed away when her daughter was but 13. After her mother's death, Pippa developed many of her free-spirited ways, including her personal rejection of a "happily ever after" marriage. Instead, Pippa covers such events as Spain's running of the bulls and her only romantic encounters are of the very short-lived variety. A close friend (Sandra Oh) helps the freelancer through life's rough moments. But, after her father suffers a heart attack, Pippa decides to help him out by becoming the new editor of Wedding Bells. This displeases most of the staff, including a sales director, Roxanne (Cheryl Hines) and a handsome financial adviser, Ian (David Sutcliffe). Yet, although Pippa's first efforts fail badly, she learns quickly from her mistakes and is determined to succeed. She may even discover some lessons in love and marriage that she has previously dismissed as nonsense. Will there be a rose-colored future for our Pippa and her magazine? This is a slight but satisfying romcom for those insatiable fans of the genre. Graham excels in her role as the vagabond beauty who explores new truths about her own existence while Sutcliffe is a charming, attractive foil to Pippa's flighty personality. Oh, Hinds, Taye Diggs and others also offer fine turns as the supporting cast members. The scenery is quite nice, as are the costumes and production values. As for the story, it takes a lot of twists and turns, sometimes to excess, but ends up tying ups its loose ends nicely. If you are not a fan of romantic comedy, this one will probably have you biting your fingernails. But, for those who adore those funny tales of love, this one will "take the cake" for you.
zoodle328
Although I wouldn't vote this movie as Oscar worthy, I do think that because it's a chick-flick, it receives a bad rap. Pippa, a headstrong travel-writer is a sweet ingénue, and Heather Graham does a very good job of displaying Pippa's weaknesses and confusion. While yes, this movie does have a plot centralized around a wedding magazine, it also shows a slight sophistication with it's talk of gay marriage, and it's final climax has substance. And let's not forget David Sutcliffe as Ian...talk about beautiful. And in one special scene, the chemistry between Pippa and Ian is charge! Don't discount this movie because of it's cutesy title and seemingly silly plot. I guarantee a fun time while watching Cake!
TallPineTree
Maybe because it is the weekend before Valentine's day and I have watched too many romantic comedies this weekend... but I was rolling my eyes throughout much of this movie as I watched it on the Lifetime channel today.The story is about how a late 20s/early 30s adventurous world-traveling single woman puts her life on hold to edit a magazine her father owns after he becomes ill. This woman doesn't believe in settling down or getting married; and what is the magazine about? Wedding bells. Toss in some father issues, commitment issues, single friends getting married issues.While the story had a promise of being a different take on a standard romantic comedy, it was weighed down with stereotypes that were predictable and quickly became boring. "Absent father, uptight rival at the magazine, helpful male gay assistant, danger the magazine will be closed or taken over, etc." Each stereotype was there, but not fully developed, nor the actors appealing enough to make you accept the stereotype.The main male lead was far too good to be real: sensitive, helpful, caring, honest, patient, romantic. He was the ideal boyfriend. I don't remember his name but it should have been "Prince Charming". He was so good I wondered why he was interested in Heather Graham's character. I certainly wasn't interested in her as she seemed too neurotic and self centered. After each plot point would keep the two main characters apart, I thought (for the guy) "Good, you are better off. Go find someone else."I appreciate that none of the men in the movie were the typical male movie jerks. But the movie went overboard in making everyone nice. The only tension was a result of misunderstandings.And the ending? Give me a break.I did like the music selections. However I really wished most of the soundtrack was quieter and in the background. A number of times I had trouble hearing what the lead characters were saying.Net result, if you are going to watch it, see it with your 20s-something female friends. Leave your guy out of it or his tongue will be sore from biting it.
frederickalan1
I was skeptical at the screening of Cake (not my kind of movie, generally) but was pleasantly surprised. Smarter, funnier and sharper than most of the romantic comedies I've seen. Heather Graham gave her best performance since Rollergirl, and Cheryl Hines and Sandra Oh were great--why aren't they in everything? The movie works as a light romantic comedy (the setting--at a bridal magazine--puts us firmly in that genre), but has more substance than the genre generally allows (or even needs...). The characters all felt real--as if they were dealing with actual real-life concerns, but were just more attractive and better dressed than normal people. Moments that would have been lost in the hands of a less skilled and attentive director (Heather Graham running, falling to the ground and muttering that her boobs hurt, Cheryl Hines trying to get sit on a waterbed with a full martini glass complaining it was like cirque de soleil) were priceless. Good fun, great acting, exciting director to watch.
AD
