Cake

The characters are what you might expect for this type of film, but nonetheless are well-cast and played in good fun.

Things work out mostly like you'd expect, but that doesn't stop it from being a pleasant way to pass the time with a few smiles.

I gave it a 7 because It was a lighthearted way to end my evening and made me feel good.

When you watch a movie, what more do you really need?

Philippa "Pippa" McGee (Heather Graham) is the freelance journalist daughter of a respected publishing giant. One of dad's publications is Wedding Bells, an advice rag for those who intend to walk down the aisle in the near future. Pippa's mother was once involved with this particular magazine but she passed away when her daughter was but 13. After her mother's death, Pippa developed many of her free-spirited ways, including her personal rejection of a "happily ever after" marriage. Instead, Pippa covers such events as Spain's running of the bulls and her only romantic encounters are of the very short-lived variety. A close friend (Sandra Oh) helps the freelancer through life's rough moments. But, after her father suffers a heart attack, Pippa decides to help him out by becoming the new editor of Wedding Bells. This displeases most of the staff, including a sales director, Roxanne (Cheryl Hines) and a handsome financial adviser, Ian (David Sutcliffe). Yet, although Pippa's first efforts fail badly, she learns quickly from her mistakes and is determined to succeed. She may even discover some lessons in love and marriage that she has previously dismissed as nonsense. Will there be a rose-colored future for our Pippa and her magazine? This is a slight but satisfying romcom for those insatiable fans of the genre. Graham excels in her role as the vagabond beauty who explores new truths about her own existence while Sutcliffe is a charming, attractive foil to Pippa's flighty personality. Oh, Hinds, Taye Diggs and others also offer fine turns as the supporting cast members. The scenery is quite nice, as are the costumes and production values. As for the story, it takes a lot of twists and turns, sometimes to excess, but ends up tying ups its loose ends nicely. If you are not a fan of romantic comedy, this one will probably have you biting your fingernails. But, for those who adore those funny tales of love, this one will "take the cake" for you.

Director Nisha Ganatra and writer Tassie Cameron seem to have most of their experience in TV movies so this little slice of the industry is a change for them. Would that it were wholly successful because it seems as though both had a fine idea for something to say but just didn't know how to make it work. And again, blame the PR folks for making a cover for the DVD that not only seems silly, it has little to do with the story inside.

Pippa McGee (Heather Graham) is a travel writer, a hedonist, and an independent woman who avoids relationships like the plague. The film starts with a goofus dash for a wedding in which she is once again a bridesmaid on the run. After the ceremony she jokes with her best friend Lulu (Sandra Oh) who is equally against long term relationships beyond a quick shag, and she also meets one Ian (David Sutcliffe - Under the Tuscan Sun, Testosterone, Happy Endings etc), a handsome if shy young man who though attracted to Pippa, sees her as dangerous territory.

Pippa soon discovers that her father Malcolm McGee (Bruce Gray), a wealthy successful owner of a magazine conglomerate, is ill, has a heart attack, and though the father and daughter have had a negligible relationship, Pippa offers her help. Of course, her assignment is to be editor of 'Wedding Bells' magazine her departed mother started, and Pippa takes on the epitome of everything she loathes about relationships and marriage and tries to make a go of it. She discovers that Ian is her father's vice president and thus in charge of her new and loathed assignment. Pippa partners with the handsome magazine photographer Hemingway Jones (Taye Diggs), has a fling, and becomes close friends and partners in an attempt to change the look of the wedding magazine. There are far too many subplots to discuss, but suffice it to say that changes occur in the personalities of everyone involved and the ending, while entirely predictable, has enough humor and warmth to make a good evening out of a shaky story.

Heather Graham handles her 'challengingly bad' role with great aplomb: she is a delight to watch. The remainder of the cast does their best with the lines they're given. This is a bit of fluff, aimed at the 'chick flick' devotees, but it has its moments. Grady Harp, July 06

Cake is about finding out that however lofty your ideals maybe, you can always be wrong.

This comedy, as all good Hollywood productions, starts by over doing the traits of its main character. At some point, her zealousness runs her into a wall and then the movie starts to be a bit more realistic, a bit more sensible.

The story itself is simple, the plot elements unsurprising, and, even if the dialogs hold their own and are funny, they are uninventive.

The big attraction of the movie is that it is entertaining, and it doesn't screw up. You'll spend a good evening if you're interested in seeing an over idealistic, over energized young woman make a mess of things and then save the day in true Hollywood fashion.

A Freelancing Directionless rich kid is faced with a huge problem, his father is ill and no one is ready to take over the company apparently other than HER. There she tries to bring down the company only to discover that it might be on its last legs.

Ok, this starts horrendously. Nothing really beats a romcom than the most insufferable characterization. Heather Graham's Pippa is a bottom pit person. She is so full of herself that it was so grating. I actually wanted to stop midway how awful she comes off. Graham, as an actress, did not even instinctively tried to make her character at least likable. She just read her lines.

Also, The logical leaps on this one is horrendous. Firstly, there is no reason for her to lead the company. David Sutcliffe's character literally can lead AND is willing to lead. Her action from the start has no sensible reason - especially since she knows what company this is AND also her trying to get it with the photographer is such a icky line crossed especially since she is a boss.

It did get better though. I think once the idea that she actually needs to work for the company is set in motion, at least certain level of likability is achieved in this film. It also makes a lot of her problems at least baked well into the narrative. Its not top notch rom-com by any means but David Sutcliffe (Gilmore Girl Chris fame) and Graham has a certain chemistry in it. It lifts the film on a certain level.

Still not recommended. Very rough start.