While I can’t say I was ever a huge fan of the hit television series Friends, it would be foolish to discount the talent of its stars, especially the under-rated work of Jennifer Aniston. The problem for Aniston is that her performances tend to get overshadowed by media frenzy (surrounding her relationship with her ex-husband and his wife) and the latest barely-there outfit she dons to show off her post-40 body. Personally, I would much rather focus on her subtle turn in The Good Girl from back in the day or the wild and wooly time she has had in the two Horrible Bosses movies. Which is why there’s real intrigue hovering over her latest project, Cake (from writer Patrick Tobin and director Daniel Barnz), which explores the travails of a woman (Aniston) dealing with chronic pain who becomes fascinated by the suicide of a member of her support group. This minor film festival player generated considerable buzz recently, almost enough to land Aniston an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Sounds like Cake might be a tasty treat for those looking to sample more than all of those stale social media morsels being passed around the newsfeeds. (Opens Friday at Esquire Theatre) (R) Not screened in time for review
