Summary
This film offers its audience the chance to laugh and cry through an undeniable friendship. A year of hospitals and taking cakes to bars, it’s a quirky and emotional rollercoaster.
Here is our review of the 2023 Prime Video movie Sitting in Bars with Cake, which does not contain significant spoilers.
A recipe for success. This film is based on the book of the same name written by Audrey Shulman.
In 2013, Shulman baked a cake and took it to a bar for her best friend’s birthday. It was such a hit that for a whole year after, Shulman continued to do this once a week in the hopes of getting a boyfriend. This officially became called “cakebarring”. During this time, her best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer; this film is dedicated to her.
The film stars Yara Shahidi, Odessa A’zion, Bette Midler, and Ron Livingston and follows the story surrounding Corinne, who convinces her baker best friend, Jane, to commit to a year of baking cakes and bringing them to bars with the goal of meeting people, developing confidence and maybe finding a new romantic partner.
Sitting in Bars with Cake Review and Plot Summary
The film’s opening montage of cakes and bright colors had me instantly hooked and had a “my best friend’s wedding” opening vibe. We’re thrown straight into the bar with everyone drinking but a reluctant Jane, our star baker, going home.
READ: Is Sitting in Bars with Cake based on a true story?
The acting is first class. Strongly written characters and the actors have excellent chemistry on screen. Their friendship is completely believable, and the two had me laughing, giggling, and then almost crying. Bette Midler steals the show during her scenes, obviously.
The storyline is quirky mixed with real hard-hitting drama. Corinne receives a life-altering diagnosis roughly a third of the way into the film which is handled very well.
Emotional, but not overly dramatic. This drives the narrative forward and gives the film some serious depth as the two girls navigate their friendship, health, emotions, and careers.
READ: Is It Cake? Season 1 Review
I especially loved the line, “We’ll look back on this as the weird year we spent in hospitals and bars.” It just sums up the film, and that scene was incredibly poignant.
With an emotional steamroller of an ending, I was left feeling fulfilled and satisfied, and that is down to great story-telling.
Is Sitting in Bars with Cake good or bad?
It’s great. I will officially be trying this in my hometown with my single friends. My only criticism is the length — again, it’s a two-hour film, and at times, it feels long, and there are certain sections that could have been cut/didn’t feel necessary.
However, that is not a reason not to watch this film. It’s definitely one you can re-watch each autumn.
Is Sitting in Bars with Cake worth watching?
Yes. This is a beautiful film about best friends who go through the thick of it and create an epic cakebarring experience. Colorful and creative cinematography, with a bouncy soundtrack mixed with heart-wrenching emotion, makes this film a must-watch for any rom-com fan.
What did you think of the 2023 Prime Video movie Sitting in Bars with Cake, and how would you review it? Comment below.
