** WARNING -- SPOILERS CONTAINED WITHIN ** The plots contained within the inexplicably named "Cake" seem forced and very contrived. However, the relationships and characters make this romantic comedy an enjoyable enough way to spend an hour and a half. The hoary chestnut of a plot has pseudo-feminist Graham, committed to never making commitments, awkwardly fulfilling her obligations as a bridesmaid to friend Sarah Chalke, before winding us, at her father's behest, taking the helm of a bridal magazine after the old man suffers a heart attack. Sandra Oh, Taye Diggs, Cheryl Hines, and Sarah Chalke all supply superior comedic support with their character roles. I wasn't familiar with the young actor playing Graham's main stereotyped gay assistant at the magazine, but he is very good, making me enjoy him and care about him despite his stereotypic roots.
Heather Graham seems to be imitating Kate Hudson throughout, but she makes an agreeable-enough substitute. Bruce Gray is monotonously one-note as the father. I also would've much rather seen her wind up with much more interesting Diggs than cookie-cutter leading man Sutcliffe, but the film wasn't made for taking those types of risks. And Sutcliffe has a nice-enough smile that you can't really begrudge him his happy ending too much. Conclusion, if you have an hour and a half to kill and want to watch a harmless romantic comedy, Cake will more than adequately satiate you.
Heather Graham seems to be imitating Kate Hudson throughout, but she makes an agreeable-enough substitute. Bruce Gray is monotonously one-note as the father. I also would've much rather seen her wind up with much more interesting Diggs than cookie-cutter leading man Sutcliffe, but the film wasn't made for taking those types of risks. And Sutcliffe has a nice-enough smile that you can't really begrudge him his happy ending too much. Conclusion, if you have an hour and a half to kill and want to watch a harmless romantic comedy, Cake will more than adequately satiate you.