Metacritic reviews

Mostly thanks to Barnz's direction and Aniston's performance it all starts to gel.

Aniston submits an honest, sturdy performance. However, the film, directed by Daniel Barnz (Phoebe in Wonderland, Beastly) and written by Patrick Tobin, is less emotionally potent than it wants to be.

To be sure, Aniston leads with her scowl here, in the sort of performance that often gets called “brave” but is, in fact, more accurately described as a well-executed change of pace.

It's a letdown that the film itself, written by Patrick Tobin and directed by Daniel Barnz, doesn't take half the chances its leading lady does and is content to paddle around the shallows rather than plunge into the deep end.

Aniston's portrayal feels honest, but the film doesn't rise to the level of her performance.

The film is a study of grief that drowns in a cold bath of grim self-pity.

Aniston gives the character personality and heft, but the script gives the character nothing to do.

There are moments when the fabrication behind Claire’s arc breaks to reveal a real person, and the filmmaker’s have Aniston to thank for this, because it’s certainly not the bland dialogue or unremarkable events.

Aniston’s drab-act is diverting, but it’s not enough to sweeten a character who is one hell of a pill.

Cake chokes you on its self-seriousness, even as it trots out potentially interesting supporting players.