MovieChat Forums > The Cake Eaters (2009) Discussion > Kristen's performance

Kristen's performance

posted 15 years ago by scissor_me_timbers
53 replies | jump to latest

Although Kristen is the current "new sh*t" right about now, I haven't really seen a lot of movies starring the young starlight that really allows her to stretch her acting legs.
Years ago she was definitely the one to watch for after seeing "Panic Room". Her movies since ("The Messengers", "Twilight", etc) are certainly entertaining and she does well, but definitely not much to work with.
I thought this movie as a whole was good...definitely not life altering but good. And I have to say that it made me think twice about her acting skills. The moment her first scene kicked in she broke my heart and I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. She was consistent and genuine and believable. Well done :)

[–] Rachel_Sue 15 years ago

I think that people underestimate this girl.

There's a whole league of people that despise her for simply BEING in Twilight, either because they hate the books or thought the film was lame. In regards to Twilight, I have no strong opinion either way. I thought the books were overrated. And I have a problem comparing books to films. Twilight the film is NOT horrible. Great cinematography, good directing -- and as far as the acting goes, I think a lot of people accredit the dialogue in film to bad acting. These actors did not write the script. And as far as I'm concerned, the dialogue was cheesy at points -- but THAT cast (Kristen Stewart, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, even Robert Pattinson) saved that movie for me.

So for the haters -- I just suggest actually watching another film -- like The Cake Eaters. Her performance is just incredibly believable. I don't know many people, who at 15 or 16 years old (this movie was shot in 2006), could pull off a performance like this.

Stewart completely exceeded my expectations, even though the movie itself was one that I felt ended a little abruptly. She did so similarly in Adventureland, which I would recommend to anyone -- not just because of how much a fan she's made me. Not to mention, her performance in In the Land of Women wasn't bad either.

[–] scissor_me_timbers 15 years ago

Exactly. I haven't seen Adventureland yet, but will definitely go out of my way to watch her perform after seeing Cake Eaters.

And I agree. I don't think the ridiculous amount of hype over Twilight is really necessary, but the actors definitely made it fun.

On another note, I really feel bad for the poor girl. It seems that every time I log on to Youtube (or something similar) there's postings of her being mobbed by paparazzi while she's trying to get gas or take a piss. I feel that she signed on to Twilight because she thought it would be fun and perhaps expose/promote herself a little more. However to this level is disgusting. I hope the media doesn't tear every shred of her personality out from under her because she certainly seems like a cool role model.

Woo!

[–] Rachel_Sue 15 years ago

Agreed. I can't even watch those paparazzi videos without feeling like a horrible person for just like... giving them an audience.

It seems like every time I see anything about her anymore, it's a picture of her pumping gas with Dakota Fanning in the car. Like... wow... she's pumping gas. Millions of people do that.

From what I've heard, she hadn't even read the books before she signed on to do the Twilight film or whatever. I'm pretty sure they all thought it was just a job. Now it's like (unfortunately) their lives...

[–] mikebourkefan 11 years ago

Kristen really is underrated as an actress. while I loved the first movie in the series and thought the others were ok. I see why most of the cast HATE all the attention

Rob Zombie is one of the greatest directors today

[–] LLOwens 15 years ago

Her role in "Adventureland" was her best performance to date. Her most flattering role has got to be a supporting piece she played in "Into The Wild".

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[–] JayPetey 15 years ago

If you want to see another really great performance from Kristen, do yourself a favor and get "Speak".. it's amazing, and she did so well.

[–] manna77 15 years ago

i agree with you Jay.i was thinking exactly the same thing.I saw the movie speak a while ago and thought that this girl has something.
I saw most of her movies and i think she might potentially be good.
I think she has a certain charisma ,she cool in a strange way.
i just hope the paparazzi don`t destroy her.

[–] robbinslarry69 15 years ago

"Fierce People." If you guys havent seen it yet, that is a movie thats a little odd, but if you wanna watch all of Kristen Stewarts work then i'd say give that a rogering.

[–] LLOwens 14 years ago

I agree that Kristen's role in "Fierce People" was a little odd as well considering her age since it seemed as if she was making out in half of her scenes. But like I've said before, she is mature beyond her years as far as acting goes.

[–] BernardoLima 14 years ago

in the last two weeks I watched like 4 or 5 films with her and I have to say she is a great actress. Despite being in that twilight crap.

[–] LLOwens 14 years ago

I am having a difficult time getting a hold of a "Speak" DVD. Even Blockbuster online and Netflix have long waiting lists for this movie. This is one of the few movies I have not seen where Kristen Stewart plays a substantial role.

[–] YWMcB 14 years ago

LLOwens, I sent you a PM about speak.

[–] curlyqt1986 14 years ago

I saw SPEAK on lifetime and thought Kristen was great. Since then I became a fan. She is a great actress and I can't wait for more movies.

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[–] YWMcB 14 years ago

What are you smoking? She did not "suck" in Speak. It is one of her best performances.

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[–] YWMcB 14 years ago

Stir the pot? Sorry, your memory is failing you. I will have a debate or call someone out on their ignorance anytime but I don't pick fights, argue with trolls or "stir the pot".

I didn't say her every movie/performance is good, please don't put words in my mouth. I'm saying it's kinda ridiculous that you say she "sucked" in Speak compared to her other roles when everyone else considers it one of her best if not the best. It is one of the movies all of her fans would say is a must see(especially performance wise). It was my favorite until seeing The Runaways.

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[–] LLOwens 14 years ago

In my humble opinion, Kristen's role as Georgia is on par with Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar nominated performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Yet to be fair, it was not quite as good as Daniel Day-Lewis' Oscar winning performance in My Left Foot. But still, Kristen undoubtedly turned in a mesmerizing performance in The Cake Eaters. I would highly recommend this film to any fan of Kristen Stewart's work as well as to those who are interested in watching movies about those who are physically and mentally challenged.

[–] LLOwens 15 years ago

The song that was playing in the background in the scene where Georgia was riding on the moped with Beagle was almost surreal. This title "Begin" by The Wailin' Jennys is as beautiful as Kristen Stewart.

[–] EluriaSK 14 years ago

I watched Cake Eaters and i have to say that her facial expression is better than in Twilight BUT she's still breathing the whole time (one of her first scenes where she's getting back from the ladies room). It was even more horrible than in Twilight. The blinking is still there and can't controll her mouth. Either it's always open or she's opening it for no reason.

Ukraine I'm SO proud of YOU!

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[–] ozygaro 14 years ago

I have to admit, Kristen is amazing in this movie, two thumbs up !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odkkEj7EJ_0

[–] Lythas_85 14 years ago

I just watched this movie and I thought it was alright.
She delivered a solid performance.

The thing people point out about her performances is that they all seem the same. You pick her manerisms, the stuttering and you get her Bella Swan.. and also the one she made in Adventureland (but a bit less since she wasn't the main character on the story) and probably a few other roles as well..
This one is a bit different just because she talked differently because of the disease. Otherwise, that would probably be similar.. with the heavy mouth breathing and smirks..

Overall, the story was good and the cast did well.. so I got no major complaints.

Laters

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[–] Busylizz 14 years ago

I agree she is brilliant in this film. It's a scary role to take on and you don't want to offend anyone. But she embodied this character. You forget you are watching Kristen and that Georgia is real. It broke my heart to watch her sometimes. Especially the opening scene when her mother is telling her to keep still while taking the photo

This is my favourite performance of Kristens. People even said to Mary S Masterson that they thought they had gotten an actor with that illness. Shows how good her performance was!

Scatter, you beautiful stray dogs! Scatter into the night!

[–] blue-eyed-girl07 13 years ago

OP, I completely agree. My jaw dropped the first moment when she came on screen and she had me crying within 15 minutes. She was absolutely phenomenal. Her performance was completely heartbreaking, which is exactly what it's supposed to be.

Kristen's Mafia#36

[–] movielover2011 13 years ago

I really wish that I could agree with the majority of posters in this thread that Kristen's performance was amazing.

I watched this hoping to see her finally show some range. Instead I saw the same open jawed, doe faced, awkward girl that she always plays in every role since her adolescence. Granted, I loved her as a kid in Panic Room.

At times she even forgot to slur her speech and it seemed as if I was looking at Bella Swan. And shame on the hairstylist, you can see where her extensions begin before she cuts her hair, and then that wig they put on her after the hair cut was one of the cheapest wigs ever.

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[–] movielover2011 13 years ago

Yes, I agree with you, pre 16 she was great, I really noticed her in panic room. If I had to take a guess, I'd say that she is one of those actors who stopped taking acting classes too early, shot to fame, and can't possibly go back to take acting classes now with the media being so intrusive.

If you watch Twilight (which I only watched because I was taking a friend's young daughter) her acting was horrible, and like this film, she stumbles on her words and mumbles. The only difference between that role and this one is that in this role she was disabled and was supposed to be acting that way. I do hope to see her improve as she "practices" in new roles. Look at Keanu Reeves, he was positively horrible and he's much better now...granted he's no Liam Neeson or Harrison Ford, but at least we can watch him without cringing now :)

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[–] movielover2011 13 years ago

Very true, if anyone disagrees with the majority of fans they get called trolls.

Possibly she's too embarrassed to take acting lessons at this point. Or possibly she thinks she is already a good actress, after all, she has tons of fans and the Twilight saga is a blockbuster. But really, we can only speculate as to why her acting quality not getting better. I believe she was just nominated for another Razzie, so she must know to some extent that the majority of people over adolescence have voted her acting quality as generally poor. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she gets back to the way she was when she was younger, she was amazing at such a young age in Panic Room.

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[–] KristenStewartForever 13 years ago

She's a very beautiful actress and very talented. Twilight Saga is her best. Speak is her second. Adventureland third. I think this would come in fourth.

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