Jennifer Aniston Gets Oscar Buzz For ‘Ugly’ New Role

Jennifer Aniston’s performance as a facially-scarred woman suffering chronic pain in indie dramedy ‘Cake’ has sparked rumours of awards recognition for the actress after the film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.

Aniston plays Claire, a troubled 40-something  who begins a relationship with a man (Sam Worthington) whose wife (Anna Kendrick) has killed herself.

Not wearing any make-up and donning facial prosthetics, the 45-year-old former Friend has garnered strong reviews for her performance, fuelling Oscar buzz.

Read more: Eddie Redmayne Leaps To Head Of Oscar Pack For ‘The Theory Of Everything’

Read more: What Happened To Newt From Aliens?

“Jennifer Aniston sensational in very moving new film CAKE just premiered at TIFF,” wrote Deadline’s Pete Hammond on Twitter. “This could be her “Monster”. Award worthy for sure.”

Charlize Theron won the Best Actress Oscar in 2004 after de-glamming to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

Aniston also executive-produced the movie, which is directed by Daniel Barnz, who personally wrote to the star explaining why she’d be perfect for the role. Once she signed on, she spent time interviewing people who have the same condition as her character.

It was Barnz who believed she should be make-up-free. “You can see the wrinkles in her face and the pores,” he told Variety.

Read more: Jennifer Lawrence Leaked Nude Photos - Will Scandal Harm Her Career?

“She’s not wearing make-up because that’s true to the character: this is a woman who doesn’t take care of herself.”

‘Cake’ doesn’t have a release date in the UK yet.

Photos: Getty/PA/IMDB