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Comedy drama

Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) movie poster

Sitting in Bars with Cake is a 2023 comedy drama directed by Trish Sie, starring Yara Shahidi as Jane, Odessa A’zion and Bette Midler. Critics gave it 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
77%
Echo Score
73
Metascore
64
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Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) movie poster
Released
Director
Trish Sie
Genres
Comedy , Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sitting in Bars with Cake About?

The premise of Sitting in Bars with Cake without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Two contrasting women, the outgoing Corinne and the reserved Jane, forge an unexpected friendship in Los Angeles. They offer each other support and understanding as they experience the challenges and joys of early adulthood. Through shared laughter and heartfelt moments, their connection strengthens, demonstrating the power of finding common ground and discovering happiness in unexpected places.

Sitting in Bars with Cake Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
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Cast & crew

Sitting in Bars with Cake Cast & Characters

Yara Shahidi leads the cast as Jane, with Odessa A’zion as Corinne and Bette Midler as Benita. Directed by Trish Sie; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sitting in Bars with Cake

· 15 more
From the director

More from Trish Sie

More films directed by Trish Sie, best-rated first: Pitch Perfect 3, Step Up: All In, Players and The Sleepover.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sitting in Bars with Cake Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sitting in Bars with Cake 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

73 /100

Sitting in Bars with Cake Echo Score Breakdown

Sitting in Bars with Cake delivers a heartfelt blend of friendship and loss, anchored by strong central performances and a vivid visual palette. Critics note uneven narrative stretches, yet many reviewers appreciate the film's emotional sincerity and appealing soundtrack. Production elements such as costumes and editing receive commendation, while the story’s originality is viewed as modest. The consensus leans positive, yielding a solid overall rating reflective of its emotional resonance and competent craftsmanship.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases an agile edit and detailed production design, especially in costume and cake visualizations. Critics point to occasional underdeveloped scenes and uneven pacing that blunt the overall polish. Nevertheless, the cinematography receives praise for its atmospheric quality. The mixed feedback results in a respectable but not outstanding art score.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, the leads deliver nuanced performances that anchor the narrative. Reviewers repeatedly highlight Shahidi and A'zion’s chemistry and the supporting cast’s effective presence, including a memorable cameo by Midler. Some criticism notes limited utilization of secondary actors, yet the dominant sentiment affirms strong character work, driving the higher score in this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The story and flow oscillate between engaging and contrived, with the central cake premise sometimes feeling imposed. Users acknowledge a sluggish opening but commend the emotionally charged second half. Critics describe the plot as both heartwarming and occasionally muddled. This balance of praise and critique places the narrative squarely in the moderate range.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Sensory experience receives positive remarks for a lively soundtrack and cohesive visual style, especially the vibrant depiction of cakes and bar settings. While sound design is not heavily discussed, the overall sensory package is described as appealing and fitting the film’s tone. The favorable consensus yields a solid sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor is tempered by the film’s emotional intensity; viewers report strong initial impact but suggest limited repeat appeal due to its melancholic core. Some audience members express a desire to revisit the heartfelt moments, yet the overall sentiment leans toward viewing it as a one-time emotional experience, resulting in a modest rewatch score.

Plot

Sitting in Bars with Cake Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Sitting in Bars with Cake from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the bustling city of Los Angeles, childhood best friends Jane and Corinne have forged a unique bond over the years, built on trust and companionship. While Corinne embodies an outgoing spirit, Jane prefers a more reserved approach, finding comfort in the observation rather than participation.

Corinne’s position as the assistant to the fierce talent agent Benita stands in stark contrast to Jane’s more modest role in the mailroom. Burdened by her secret crush on the charming intern Owen (a budding lawyer), Jane grapples with expressing her feelings, her timidity holding her back from pursuing her desires.

Full summary

The whole story of Sitting in Bars with Cake, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Sitting in Bars with Cake Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Mr. Rogers
  • Clip What's Better Than Cake in Bars?
  • Clip Corinne and Jane’s Emotional Heart-To-Heart Convo
  • Featurette Meet the Characters
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sitting in Bars with Cake?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Jane's secret aspiration?

Details

Sitting in Bars with Cake Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “La vida es un pastel” and “坐在酒吧里吃蛋糕”.

Also known as
  • La vida es un pastel
  • 坐在酒吧里吃蛋糕
  • Nos soirées gâteau-bar
  • Cincuenta tartas para Jane
  • Bares
  • Bolos e Amizades
  • 私がケーキを焼く理由
  • Сидячи в барах з тортом
  • יושבים בברים עם עוגה
  • 酒吧蛋糕寻爱记
  • Sezení v barech s dortem
  • Una torta per l'uomo giusto
+10 more
  • Rendezvous mit Torten
  • Przesiadując przy cieście w barach
  • สูตรเค้กสื่อรัก
  • Torta extrákkal
  • 케이크 들고 술집에 가는 여자
  • Сидя в барах с тортом
  • Baruri și torturi
  • Tortas tinkamam vyrui
  • 帶著蛋糕在酒吧
  • Ραντεβού στο Μπαρ με Κέικ

Seen Sitting in Bars with Cake?

FAQ

Sitting in Bars with Cake FAQ: Cast & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sitting in Bars with Cake, each answered in a sentence.

When was Sitting in Bars with Cake released?

Sitting in Bars with Cake was released on September 8, 2023.

Who directed Sitting in Bars with Cake?

Sitting in Bars with Cake was directed by Trish Sie.

More films by Trish Sie

Who is in the cast of Sitting in Bars with Cake?

Sitting in Bars with Cake stars Yara Shahidi as Jane, Odessa A’zion as Corinne and Bette Midler as Benita, among 19 credited actors.

How is Sitting in Bars with Cake rated?

Sitting in Bars with Cake has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Sitting in Bars with Cake have a post-credit scene?

No. Sitting in Bars with Cake has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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