Cake - C+

Rated R, 92 minutes
Wes's Grade: C+

Aniston's strong performance best part of the unsatisfying indie "Cake"

The best part about the downbeat, low-key new independent dramedy is Jennifer Aniston, who gives a restrained, convincing turn as a damaged woman struggling with some clear issues. While Aniston is quite good in a part that's clearly against type, it's also uneven, downbeat and hard to follow. The acerbic Claire Simmons (Aniston) becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman (Anna Kendrick) in her chronic pain support group. As she uncovers the details of the suicide, she grapples with her own personal demons. Directed by Daniel Barnz ("Won't Back Down") and written by Patrick Tobin, "Cake" is a serviceable, downbeat redemption film highlighted by Aniston's dressed-down, often witty turn as a bruised, sarcastic woman who can't seem to come to terms with her own identity. The film is a mixed-bag, some of it works well, some of it doesn't. For one, it has a great cast. In addition to Aniston, the low-budget film has a strong suppoting cast, particularly Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza ("Babel") in a memorable turn as Claire's long-suffering maid and assistant, giving the film a stable voice of reason and upstaging Aniston in most scenes. Sam Worthington, Felicity Huffman, Anna Kendrick and in one well-staged scene, William Macy. Aniston is herself is quite affecting in a wholly unsympathetic part, popping pills, wearing no makeup, sporting a big scar and spouting her lines with some genuine saracasm ("you'll end up in porn, it's what happens to girls from Idaho," she tells a hitchhiker). Still, "Cake" is frustrating because it lacks a great script: its characters aren't fully drawn, and struggles with as many identity problems as its lead, alternating awkwardly between comedy and drama. This uneven, sluggish feel makes it a tough sell with perhaps a better fit would've been an HBO or Showtime mini-series, where it could've given Aniston more long-term exposure and accolades ala "True Detective." The mildly entertaining but unsatisfying "Cake" is so named as a metaphor for Aniston's character way of redemption, though it's not clear if she ever changes. A curiosity piece at best for Aniston, there are better things to do and better movies to see.