REVIEW: 'The Cake Eaters'

Kristen Stewart in 'The Cake Eaters'. Photo supplied.

> The Cake Eaters
Director: Mary Stuart Masterson
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Bruce Dern, Melissa Leo, Elizabeth Ashley, Aaron Stanford, Jayce Bartok.
Rating: (G)
Four stars (out of five)

The release of The Cake Eaters two years after its completion in 2007 provides a fascinating insight into Kristen Stewart's talent prior to her global recognition via the Twilight saga.

In rural America, Stewart's character Georgia suffers from a degenerative disease affecting her nervous system.

Struggling to make sense of her life in the knowledge that her condition will worsen, Georgia determinedly pursues sexual intimacy before it is too late.

That, in a nutshell is what The Cake Eaters is all about . . . except it's not.

Actress Mary Stuart Masterson could not have picked a more testing ensemble piece for her directorial debut.

Aside from the implications of Georgia's predicament, all we have to focus on is the return of a prodigal son and the whiff of infidelity.

But what eventuates is among the most heartwarming 90 minutes you will see in a long time.

Rather than attempt to tie up every loose thread, The Cake Eaters moves at a languid pace.

Shots are held for what seems like eons, and set-ups allow for expression rather than rapid sound-bites.

As a hard-to-describe drama about intertwined families, The Cake Eaters surely caused considerable consternation for marketers.

Fortunately, it has seen a life beyond a straight-to-DVD release; the strong characterisation and lyrical images thoroughly deserve the big screen.

Best thing: Kristen Stewart. Acting a disability that affects movement and speech could have come terribly unstuck, but thankfully doesn't.

Worst thing: The prodigal son character Guy (Jayce Bartok).There is nothing wrong with the acting; the character just doesn't add anything.

See it with: Your parents: they will love a film that totally avoids violence or bad language in getting its feel-good message across.