Cake Eaters (2009)

For her directorial debut, actress Mary Stuart Masterson (BENNY & JOON) has created a subtle, textured film. In THE CAKE EATERS, Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) stars as Georgia, a 15-year-old girl with a rare, debilitating neurological disorder. Sheltered by her artist mother, she's eager to experience life in the little time she has left. She begins a romance with 20-something Beagle (Aaron Stanford, THE HILLS HAVE EYES), while her grandmother (Elizabeth Ashley, EVENING SHADE) continues a decades-long affair with Easy, Beagle's father (Bruce Dern, COMING HOME). Easy's prodigal son (Jayce Bartok) returns from a three-year absence to find an angry brother and a jilted ex-fiancée.

Masterson's clout as an actress couldn't have hurt in gathering such a strong cast. The young Stewart's performance carries the film. Though Georgia's motor skills are impaired, her movements never eclipse the emotion on Stewart's face. It's a mature and adept appearance for the actress. At the other end of the spectrum is veteran Dern. He's frequently the highlight of films in which he appears, and THE CAKE EATERS is no exception. Bartok wrote the film's screenplay and plays the man who tries to go home again. Although he's a better writer than actor in this film, he allows his fellow cast members to shine. In addition to the great performances, Duncan Sheik's relaxed piano and acoustic guitar score perfectly matches the film's rural New York State setting.