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Rachel Getting Married 2008
As you’d expect, this independently produced drama, directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence Of The Lambs/Philadelphia), features a woman called Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt). And indeed she’s getting married – to a guy called Sidney (played by the singer of band TV On The Radio, Tunde Adebimpe). But the film centres on her troubled sister Kym (Anne Hathaway), who returns from rehab on the eve of the nuptials, resurrecting all sorts of angsty familial demons.
Written by Jenny Lumet (daughter of directing legend Sidney), this is shot in a naturalistic documentary style and has been highly praised for its deep emotional kick, garnering a Best Actress Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for Hathaway.
Starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mather Zickel, Debra Winger
Directed by Jonathan Demme ('The Silence of the Lambs', 'Philadelphia')
Written by Jenny Lumet
Romance, Drama | 1hr 53mins | Rated (M) | contains sex scenes and offensive language | Origin: USA
Flicks review
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I’m going through a phase at the moment in which I’ve developed a keen interest in observational movies. I like it when the director takes a non-intrusive approach, the camerawork doesn’t draw attention to itself and there’s a sense of realism achieved. So I got right into Jonathan Demme’s Rachel Getting Married.
The movie creates an experience of staying with this family over a rainy weekend in Connecticut. Taking part in their arguments, toasting the happy couple over a dinner or dancing the night away post-ceremony. The handheld camerawork observes family tensions boiling over and invites the viewer to become a participant.
Anne Hathaway is terrific as the black sheep of the family. Her Kym isn’t mentioned in the title, but that’s entirely the point – so much attention goes into the elaborate wedding preparations that the weird rehab girl in the corner is seen as a hindrance. She hides her fragile ego behind a veneer of sarcasm and self-depreciation.
The family bickering, which is fairly frequent, could grate on some viewers’ nerves. Some actors are definitely stronger than others. A couple of story beats don’t quite convince. But the film remains unique in its study of the redeeming bonds of family. You can’t choose your relations. But you can learn to appreciate them.By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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Looking forward
Looking forward to a sweet saturday night at the movies with my Girl's watching this one. It looks a goody!
By Mads (:
Press Reviews
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Chicago Sun-Times [Roger Ebert]
A friend asked: "Wouldn't you love to attend a wedding like that?" In a way, I felt I had. Yes, I began to feel absorbed in the experience. A few movies can do that, can slip you out of your mind and into theirs.
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Empire (UK)
4 4 out of 5 stars
One of Hollywood’s forgotten masters and one of its brightest new actresses team for what could well be an Oscar wild card.
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Entertainment Weekly [USA]
A triumph -- Demme's finest work since "The Silence of the Lambs," and a movie that tingles with life.
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Hollywood Reporter
A film whose lightness of touch rides a wave of family conflict to perfectly balance smiles and tears.
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New York Times
It’s a small movie, and in some ways a very sad one, but it has an undeniable and authentic vitality, an exuberance of spirit, that feels welcome and rare.
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New York Times
It’s a small movie, and in some ways a very sad one, but it has an undeniable and authentic vitality, an exuberance of spirit, that feels welcome and rare.
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TV3 (Kate Rodger)
4 4 out of 5 stars
Full to the brim with the delightful, dysfunctional anarchy that only family can provide. It’s certainly worth a gander, and not just for Hathaway.
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Variety [USA]
Brimming with energy, elan and the unpredictability of his "Something Wild," Jonathan Demme's triumphant Rachel Getting Married may just lay the wedding film to rest, being such a hard act to follow.
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