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| Movie Review: Rachel Getting Married Alternate Title: Coming Home
Story: Whoa! This is a tough
film to sit through but hang onto your popcorn and get ready for one
fascinating cinematic ride. The family depicted in this film have been
trough the ringer. Daughter Rachel is about to be married. Other daughter
Kym, is being let out of nine months in rehab to attend the wedding.
There is an unspoken family tragedy and emotional scars are evident
everywhere. The film is exquisitely directed by Jonathan Demme
and sensitively written by Jenny Lumet. This is a character driven piece that requires
forgiveness and understanding on the viewer's behalf. How this scarred
family gets through the highs and lows of what should be a joyous occasion
are at the heart of the story. Can amends be made and redemption found?
Will Kym be able to step outside of herself and let her sister be the
star? Will the bride be able to let go of some of her anger? Will the
family be able to reconcile any of the unspoken events? If you like cinema that is raw, honest and does
not give you a Hollywood ending - this is your film. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8OWaUj3diI
Acting: Anne Hathaway as Kym, has
had a break out role in her otherwise ingenue career. She handles it
well. Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel, is simply put - sensational.
Bill Irwin as the father is terrific. Tunde
Adebimpe as bridegroom Sidney, is fine in a small role. Debra
Winger as the mother gives a knock out performance. Kudos to
her.
Trivia: Jonathan Demme directed 7 different actors
in Oscar-nominated performances: Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Christine
Lahti, Dean Stockwell, Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster and Tom Hanks.
Steenburgen, Hopkins, Foster and Hanks won Oscars for their performances
in one of Demme's movies. Bill Irwin is a graduate
in theatre arts from Oberlin College, OH, a graduate of Ringling Brothers
and Barnum & Bailey's Clown College, FL, and received a MacArthur
Genius Grant in 1984. Writer Jenny Lumet is the daughter
of director Sidney Lumet and granddaughter of Lena Horne.
Predilection: I like Jonathan Demme films.
Critters: A beautiful standard black poodle
Food: Food glorious food. The father in this family
cannot serve enough food. It is the panacea for everything that ails
this troubled group.
Sex Spectrum: A quickie in the garage.
Blatant Product Placement: Pepsi
Soundtrack: Lots and lots of music by Zafer
Tawil and Donald Harrison, Jr Demme's own
son is one of the guitarists.
Opening Titles: Black background with an interesting
selection of fonts.
Visual Art: This is an upper class family from Connecticut
and the house displays that good taste on its walls.
Theater Audience: Two other guys in the secret balcony
with me.
Weather: It is fall in CT. Sun, rain and a little
of everything else.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The depth of problems in this family
is squirmy.
Drift Factor: I thought there were passages that could
have been tightened.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times.
Oscar Worthy: I would be delighted to see Debra
Winger get a Best Supporting nod for her amazing performance.
The Academy likes the type of roles that Ann Hathaway plays in this
film - but I do not think it Oscar worthy.
Big Screen or Rental: Either will do. You can rent
many films about weddings including, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Monsoon
Wedding, Father of the Bride, Runaway Bride, My Best friend's Wedding,
Muriel's Wedding, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Wedding Singer, Bride
and Prejudice, The Wedding Planner, Love Actually and Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
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