Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa A’zion) are roommates, colleagues, and lifelong best friends, yet they are complete opposites. Corinne is an outgoing extrovert with boundless energy whose career at a music agency is on the verge of taking off. Jane, on the other hand, is a shy introvert who is preparing to go to law school. However, her heart isn’t in the complex world of law; it’s in sweet pastries. She is a master cake baker, experimenting with recipes and designs. Corinne comes up with a brilliant idea: she suggests that her friend bring desserts to Los Angeles bars to overcome her shyness and meet men. In an odyssey filled with all sorts of creams, chocolate, and sponge cake, the girls enjoy the city’s nightlife and achieve some success. But the fun is overshadowed by unexpected news: Corinne is diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Yara Shahidi in a still from “Sitting in Bars with Cake”
The Real Story Behind the Sweetness
“Sitting in Bars with Cake” is based on real events. Screenwriter Audrey Shulman released a book of the same name about how she and her best friend went on a tour of bars with cake in hand. Audrey, like the film’s protagonist, baked once a week and offered a slice of dessert to patrons of various establishments. The fact that what is happening on the screen is a collection of the author’s memories gives the picture a special flavor. No matter how many minuses, holes, and clichés are found in the plot, the viewer does not forget: the picture about two inhabitants of the City of Angels is a tribute to a dearly loved friend.
Bette Midler in a still from “Sitting in Bars with Cake”
From Rom-Com to Heartfelt Drama
The film begins in the spirit of typical 2000s rom-coms. A shy girl can’t talk to a guy she likes. Jane generally has difficulty communicating, which is not the case with Corinne, the life of the party and an avid party-goer. Cakes become a bridge to socialization: the confectioner treats people to pastries, listens to compliments, and shares her phone number. This would have continued if it were a pure rom-com. In the end, Jane would have gained self-confidence and fallen in love with the most important person in her life – herself. This happened, but it turned out to be not so simple. Soon, the film’s tone changes noticeably: Corinne is no longer laughing at bar counters but lying on a hospital bed. The romantic comedy turns onto another path, and from now on, the viewer watches a bitter drama about a fading life.
A still from “Sitting in Bars with Cake”
A Recipe with Too Many Ingredients?
The change in mood can be confusing, as the film turns into a kind of cake with too many ingredients. It looks very nice, but it is quite difficult to finish. But the chaotic nature of the genres is easy to explain by the fact that this is how you can convey the screenwriter’s feelings: carefree youth is abruptly interrupted by a terrible disease and the risk of losing a loved one. Meeting boys and decorating cakes fade into the background. Now the routine consists of holding a friend’s hand and distracting her from excruciating pain with stories. However, at Corinne’s insistence, Jane does not stop the project. The fiftieth cake will be baked, the plan will be completed, and self-love will be restored.
A Love Letter Baked with Imperfection
“Sitting in Bars with Cake” is an uneven film, sometimes resorting to emotional blackmail. We have seen hundreds of similar stories and cried just as many times, promising ourselves never to fall for such melodramas again. But the new Amazon Prime film, with all its shortcomings, appears as a love letter from Audrey Shulman to her friend. And importantly, the film is not based on a romantic story, but a touching opus about sisterhood. This alone gives the film an additional plus. Jane and Corinne grow up together, drown in mindless chatter, and invariably support each other. The two girls have formed an island of calm around themselves, where you can get an unlimited amount of love and sweetness. Warning: after watching, you’ll want to bake a cake and chat with a friend for hours.