The Cake Eaters

An old-fashioned minor key drama, "The Cake Eaters" is the exact type of film that is the cornerstone of modern American Independent cinema. Seasoned actress Mary Stuart Masterson makes a notable directorial debut with Jayce Bartok's story about two small-town families in upstate New York. The impossibly romantic Kristen Stewart plays Georgia Kaminski, a terminally ill 15-year-old girl whose over-protective art photographer mother insists on using Georgia as the sole model for her photographs. While in the care of her understanding grandmother Marge (wonderfully played by Elizabeth Ashley) Georgia meets Beagle (played by Aaron Stanford) and strikes up a romantic liaison. Little does Georgia know that her grandmother is involved in a long-term affair with Beagle's dad Easy (played by Bruce Dern). The recent death of Easy's wife Cici from cancer, and the belated return of his son Guy (played by Jayce Bartok) coincides with the romantic inertia that blossoms. Naturalistic performances from its terrific ensemble of actors, concise camerawork and elegant storytelling coalesce to form a truly inspired independent film.

(7-57 Releasing) Not Rated. 95 mins. (A) (Five Stars)