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Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · English
Echo score 73
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Directed by
Trish Sie
Starring
Ron Livingston, Yara Shahidi, Bette Midler, Navid Negahban, Aaron Dominguez, Will Ropp

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Sitting in Bars with Cake
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Sitting in Bars with Cake Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Formation of a Unique Bond

    In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, childhood friends Jane and Corinne share a deep bond characterized by trust and companionship. While Corinne is outgoing, Jane's reserved nature makes her more of an observer in their friendship.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  2. Corinne's Career and Jane's Crush

    Corinne is working as an assistant to a tough talent agent named Benita, showcasing her ambition and drive. Meanwhile, Jane works in the mailroom, struggling with her feelings for a charming intern named Owen, who studies law, yet hesitates to express her affections.

    Where
    Talent Agency, Los Angeles
  3. A Birthday Surprise

    On March 7th, Jane surprises Corinne for her birthday with a homemade cake, which ignites an adventurous idea from Corinne's brainstorming. They decide to embark on a year-long project of visiting different bars weekly, paired with uniquely themed cakes, known as 'cakebarring'.

    When
    March 7th
  4. Revamping Jane’s Wardrobe

    Corinne takes the initiative to help Jane gain more confidence by overhauling her wardrobe. This transformation is aimed at enabling Jane to break out of her shell and become more socially active as they venture into the cakebarring project.

    Where
    Jane's Home
  5. Concerns from Jane’s Parents

    During a visit for a legal conference, Jane's parents express their worries about her baking ambitions, fueling Jane's internal conflicts and pressure. Their concern adds to the weight Jane feels as she tries to navigate her friendship and aspirations.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  6. Jane's Cakebarring Progress

    As Jane engages in her cakebarring adventures, she records her interactions with men, some flirty and others more innocent but memorable. This marks her growth in trying to socialize and break free from her initial timidity.

  7. Corinne's Promotion

    Thanks to her dedication and hard work, Corinne earns a promotion to junior agent under Benita's guidance. This milestone highlights Corinne's growth in her professional career while bringing her joy amid the ups and downs of life.

    Where
    Talent Agency, Los Angeles
  8. Corinne’s Shocking Diagnosis

    After suffering a severe headache and seizure, Corinne receives a devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor. This unexpected twist abruptly alters both friends' lives and casts a shadow over their cakebarring plans and dreams.

    Where
    Hospital, Los Angeles
  9. Family Support and Tough Choices

    Corinne's parents, Ruth and Fred, arrive to support her and discuss potentially moving her to Phoenix for treatment. Nevertheless, Corinne chooses to stay in Los Angeles, opting to remain close to Jane during her battles ahead.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  10. Fundraising 5K Event

    In a demonstration of solidarity, their boss organizes a fundraising 5K in Corinne’s honor, complete with fun activities. This event inspires Jane to finally approach Owen, providing a moment of joy amid Corinne's health struggles.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  11. Opening Up About Struggles

    Corinne speaks with Jane’s parents, Tasha and Isaac, about her health challenges and her troubled relationship with Dave. This poignant conversation brings to light the emotional burdens both friends face as Corinne’s condition deteriorates.

  12. Jane's Cakebarring Determination

    With Thanksgiving approaching and Corinne frequently hospitalized, Jane resolves to finish the last 17 cakes for their cakebarrow venture. This determination fuels her recent clarity about prioritizing their friendship over her past ambitions.

  13. Resigning from Work

    As Corinne's health worsens, Jane decides to resign from her mailroom job to devote herself to caring for her best friend. This emotional farewell marks a turning point in Jane’s life, as she chooses friendship over career aspirations.

    Where
    Mailroom, Los Angeles
  14. Creating Lasting Memories

    Throughout their journey together, Jane and Corinne experience emotional highs and lows. A memorable moment arises when Jane confronts her stage fright and joyfully joins Corinne in a karaoke session, creating laughter amidst adversity.

    Where
    Karaoke Bar, Los Angeles
  15. Celebrating Corinne’s Life

    The journey concludes with a tribute to Corinne's life in Arizona, where Jane honors her friend by delivering the 50th cake, a symbolic birthday cake. This act culminates in Jane's commitment to open the Silverlake Cake Bar in LA, celebrating their enduring friendship.

    Where
    Arizona

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 18:04

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Timeline questions answered

Sitting in Bars with Cake Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Corinne start the cakebarring project with Jane?

Corinne initiated cakebarring as a way to help Jane break out of her reserved nature and gain confidence in social situations. After Jane surprised her with a homemade birthday cake, Corinne suggested they visit a different bar every week for a year, each with a themed cake designed for that crowd. The project was specifically intended to help Jane practice talking to new people and overcome her timidity.

  • cakebarring
  • Corinne
  • Jane
  • confidence
  • social anxiety
Q2

Why did Jane quit her job at the talent agency?

Jane resigned from her mailroom position to fully dedicate herself to caring for Corinne as her brain tumor diagnosis progressed and her health deteriorated. This decision reflected Jane's realization that life is too precious to spend on work that no longer fulfilled her, choosing to prioritize her friendship with Corinne during her final months.

  • Jane
  • resignation
  • mailroom
  • caring for friend
  • sacrifice
Q3

Why did Corinne decide to stay in Los Angeles instead of moving to Phoenix for treatment?

Corinne chose to remain in Los Angeles to stay close to Jane rather than moving to Phoenix for treatment with her parents. Despite her diagnosis of a brain tumor, Corinne prioritized maintaining her support system and friendship with Jane, who vowed to stand by her through the illness.

  • Corinne
  • Los Angeles
  • Phoenix
  • treatment
  • parents
Q4

What was the significance of the 50th cake in the story?

The 50th cake represented the completion of Jane and Corinne's year-long cakebarring journey. Jane made it as a birthday cake for Corinne, delivering it at the tribute celebration in Arizona after Corinne passed away. This final cake symbolized their enduring friendship and the promise Jane had made to complete their adventure together.

  • 50th cake
  • birthday
  • tribute
  • Arizona
  • completion
Q5

Why did Jane decide not to go to law school anymore?

Jane abandoned her plans for law school after witnessing Corinne's health decline and realizing how fragile life is. This epiphany came during conversations about Corinne's illness and the cancer fundraiser, prompting Jane to reassess her priorities and focus on what truly mattered to her.

  • law school
  • Jane
  • priorities
  • life lessons
  • Corinne illness
Q6

What gave Jane the courage to finally talk to Owen?

Jane finally approached Owen during the fundraising 5K event organized in Corinne's honor. The supportive atmosphere and Corinne's encouragement gave Jane the confidence to approach the intern under the pretense of discussing international property law, adding a moment of joy amid Corinne's health struggles.

  • Owen
  • Jane
  • courage
  • fundraiser
  • intern
Q7

What was going on with Corinne and Dave's relationship?

Corinne's relationship with Dave was failing around the same time she received her brain tumor diagnosis. She opened up to Jane's parents, Tasha and Isaac, about both her failing relationship and her health struggles, adding to the emotional burden she carried as her condition worsened.

  • Corinne
  • Dave
  • relationship
  • breakup
  • struggles
Q8

What was the importance of the karaoke scene between Jane and Corinne?

The karaoke moment marked a significant milestone in Jane's personal growth, as she overcame her stage fright to sing alongside Corinne. This scene represented how Jane had transformed from a shy, reserved person into someone willing to step outside her comfort zone, bringing joy to both herself and Corinne during difficult times.

  • karaoke
  • Jane
  • Corinne
  • stage fright
  • personal growth
Q9

Why did Jane open the Silverlake Cake Bar in Los Angeles?

Jane opened the Silverlake Cake Bar as a tribute to honor Corinne's memory and their friendship. After completing the 50th cake at Corinne's tribute in Arizona, Jane fulfilled her promise by creating a permanent legacy of their cakebarring adventure, turning her grief into something positive and continuing the joy they shared.

  • Silverlake Cake Bar
  • Jane
  • legacy
  • tribute
  • friendship
Q10

What caused Corinne's seizure and brain tumor diagnosis?

Corinne suffered a severe headache followed by a seizure, which led to the diagnosis of a brain tumor. This sudden health crisis abruptly changed both friends' lives, disrupting their cakebarring plans and forcing them to confront the reality of Corinne's terminal illness.

  • Corinne
  • seizure
  • headache
  • brain tumor
  • diagnosis

Movie threads

More Movies Like Sitting in Bars with Cake, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Sitting in Bars with Cake tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about transformative friendship like Sitting in Bars with Cake

Heartfelt stories where profound friendships shape identity in the face of hardship. If you enjoyed the powerful bond between Jane and Corinne in Sitting in Bars with Cake, you'll appreciate these movies about life-changing friendships. These stories explore how deep connections with a friend provide support through life's toughest challenges, leading to profound personal growth.

  • heartfelt
  • supportive
  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • uplifting
  • Tone: bittersweet, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with the formation of a close-knit friendship, showcasing its uplifting and supportive nature. A major life event—such as an illness, a personal crisis, or a shared goal—introduces emotional weight, transforming the friendship into a crucial support system. The journey is marked by shared experiences that highlight both the joys and the inevitable sorrows of deep connection.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together because they share a focus on the central role of friendship in personal transformation. They balance moments of genuine warmth and humor with deeply emotional, often bittersweet challenges, creating a resonant and uplifting yet realistically poignant viewing experience.

Movies about processing grief and legacy like Sitting in Bars with Cake

Stories that process profound loss by finding purpose in memory. For viewers who appreciated how Sitting in Bars with Cake handled themes of loss and carrying on a legacy, this collection features similar stories. These films thoughtfully explore grief, showing characters channeling their sadness into meaningful action to honor someone they've lost.

  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • contemplative
  • nostalgic
  • heartfelt
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central character experiencing the loss of a close friend or loved one. Instead of focusing solely on despair, the story follows their journey to navigate grief by engaging in an activity or project that was meaningful to the departed. This process becomes a form of healing, culminating in a tribute that ensures the person's spirit and influence live on.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their sensitive and hopeful approach to the theme of grief. They avoid being purely tragic, instead emphasizing resilience, memory, and the creation of a positive legacy. The tone is consistently bittersweet, balancing melancholy with a quiet, uplifting resolution.

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Every angle

Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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