Review: Rachel Getting Married

Marital Bliss

Walking into this film, you might not know what exactly to expect. You might have an idea about the premise and the surrounding buzz, but nothing is really concrete enough for you to form a definite opinion about it. You'll be surprised by whatever outcome it has. I would certainly encourage all who are willing to experience this film, which is a great showcase for nearly every player involved.

Anne Hathaway plays Kym, a drug addict recently released from rehab who gets a break this weekend as she attends the wedding of her sister Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt). With that comes the emotional baggage of dealing with her over controlling father (Bill Irwin), winning the attention of her passive-aggressive mother (Debra Winger), falling into a mild romance with another addict (Mather Zickel) who is also the best man, reconciling a strained sibling relationship with Rachel, attempting to overcome her addiction and, the heaviest of all, trying to come to terms with her past actions that resulted in the death of her infant brother.

The centerpiece of the film is clearly Hathaway. She is another in a long line of actors that have flexed their acting muscles in good roles (Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada), but past work (The Princess Diaries, Ella Enchanted) has also prevented them from being taken seriously as a professional. This is the type of role that is truly breakout and Hathaway presents a character that can be subtle in one scene, overly dramatic in another, and yet always feel authentic in every one. As the title character, DeWitt is in a fantastic role that does well opposite Hathaway, always seeming frank and honest but never intentionally cruel. Other good supporting performers would be Irwin in an emotionally ranging role and Winger, though her character I think adds too much to late at a certain point in the film.

This is the first "real" movie Jonathan Demme has made since his remake of The Manchurian Candidate. Up until now, Demme has delved into documentaries, whose subjects have included Neil Young and Jimmy Carter. You get that sense of a documentary filmmaker in this film, especially in the beginning. The first moments of the film feel like Demme's transitioning from the documentary style into narrative film, and it's a little distracting at first. Then Demme settles down and lets the actors and story take precedence. The script by Jenny Lumet (Sidney's daughter) is filled with great moments, although much of it does meander into dragged out out territory and some elements and actions are written rather conveniently in order to move the story along. Also, when one first hears the score, it is unusually upbeat and creatively hidden (much of it is onscreen being played by the wedding's band), but it eventually builds up to a long dance scene that, to quote a favorite movie of mine, has "too many notes."

If anything, this is a superbly acted drama, with Hathaway dancing beautifully at the center. The premise drags on a bit and the script might be wrapped up a little too nicely, but these are flaws that do not bring great harm to the bigger picture. Anne Hathaway has finally been given the film that shows everyone she's more than just a face Disney used to employ, and I hope she, as well as Jonathan Demme, continue to make projects that excel even above this one. ***1/2 / ****; GRADE: A-