Jennifer Aniston at the premiere of Cake at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto - The sheer physicality of playing a character in chronic pain was the most challenging part of starring in the film Cake, Jennifer Aniston said of a leading role that turns one of the world's most glamorous actresses into a bitter, unpleasant woman.
In the film, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, Aniston plays Claire Simmons, a woman suffering from constant pain and pill addiction who is haunted by hallucinations of a fellow support-group member who committed suicide.
To prepare for the role, the former Friends star drew on the experiences of two friends who lived with chronic pain. She also wore a brace that prevented her from slouching to mimic the stiff movement required.