First of all, I LOVE this movie. I think the acting is terrific and I just get sucked into it every time I change the channels and see it on. All performances are A+++.
My question is, does anyone know why they call Tim Hutton's character "Cake"? Maybe they discuss it in the book but I've never heard why in the movie. I've always been curious and would like to know. Thanks.
Sorry i can't answer your question, but i've seen the movie several years ago and i loved it!
it's very much underrated
the acting was excellent as well!
In the novel, "Cake" is a nickname given Donnie by the maid (Clarissa) of a central character named "Judge" Frank Pace, a father-figure/counselor to both Donnie and Gavin. I haven't seen the film, but from the IMDB website there does not appear to be such a character in the movie (or maybe the name is changed?)
Jim Ashford
the only reference to it is when Leslie asks about it when she hears Babs call him that when they arrive for the reunion weekend he replies "don't ask"
it seems like it's not unusual for southern films from a certain era to have unexplained but affectionate nicknames for certain characters