Sneha Jaiswal (X | Instagram | GoodReads)
Okay, I whipped a nice big glass of cold coffee with just a teeny bit of extra sugar to see the 2023 movie “Sitting in Bars with Cake” because I didn’t want to be dying for dessert while watching it. Funnily enough, the film begins with an upbeat song titled “Sugar”, there’s plenty of cakes too, but I should’ve also grabbed some tissues for some of the unexpected water-works in the second-half. If you are a movie-crier, you’ve been warned. And while the plot itself is slightly ludicrous & not very amusing, it’s the actors who breathe heart into this film.
Directed by Trish Sie, “Sitting in Bars with Cake” is by Audrey Shulman and is loosely inspired by her own life. The story introduces us to Jane (Yara Shahidi), a bashful introvert who’s knee-deep in LSAT books but harbors a sweet obsession with baking cakes. Enter her vivacious childhood bestie and flatmate, Corinne (Odessa A’zion), with a quirky idea: why not lure in potential suitors with Jane’s irresistible cake creations at local watering holes? Thus begins their whimsical journey as they pledge to conquer New York’s bar scene, making a plan to whip up 50 cakes in a year. However, just when life seems sweet and spicy, tragedy strikes as Corinne is diagnosed with a life threatening disease.
The screenplay exudes playfulness and fun, although some scenes could’ve been better lit. Jane’s creations are cleverly announced on screen as text integrated into the scene itself. For instance, her inaugural creation for the bar project, the “#1 Red Velvet Cake With Cream-Cheese Frosting,” pops up atop a wooden plank transported by construction workers right in front of the bar she’s bound for. Similarly, “#14 Chocolate Chili Cake” materializes as text artfully woven into a bar painting.
Yara Shahidi and Odessa A’zion are endearing in their roles as childhood friends Jane and Corinne. Their distinct yet sunny personalities make “Sitting in Bars with Cake” a heartwarming celebration of friendship. Each weekend, Corinne dutifully accompanies Jane to bars, hoping to help her find that special someone. However, it’s Jane who carries the emotional weight of the friendship, stepping up to care for Corinne as her health takes a downturn. Even though the film starts on a frivolous note about finding date-worthy men, the spotlight shines entirely on the authentic affection shared between these two young women, unwavering in their support for each other. The tagline “sisters before misters” fits Jane and Corinne’s relationship perfectly.
Martha Kelly and Ron Livingston play Martha and Fred respectively, Corrine’s parents, who are quite weird and yet have their own ways of showing just how much they love and care for their daughter. In the second half of the film, there’s a poignant scene where Jane and Fred visit a pottery cafe while Corinne is in the hospital. Frustration over their helplessness in the situation drives Jane to throw her cup on the ground, and in a moment of shared emotion, Fred follows suit, breaking the bowl he had painted. What stands out is how they depict the two of them, amidst their grief and overwhelming emotions, picking up the pieces and clearing the road.
“Sitting in Bars with Cake” starts deceptively sweet, gets a little slow in between and then becomes a dramatic ode to platonic friendships.
You can stream the film on Amazon Prime Video.
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