Directed By - Jonathan Demme
Starring:
Anne Hathaway
Rosemarie DeWitt
Bill Irwin
Debra Winger
Plot: A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister's wedding.
Review:
Rarely does heavy handed drama and joyous celebration make for a good mix on film. In 'Rachel Getting Married' the haunting past of a family collide with the union of marriage. Kym (Anne Hathaway) has just been released from nine months of rehab on the eve of her older sisters wedding. We learn very early that she has made a big mistake in her life but we do not know what that is. She is picked up by her father Paul (Bill Irwin) and head home. Once there we meet Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) who is getting ready for the big day.
Hilarity ensues.
Ok, I made that part up. What unravels is the story of a woman torn by her actions within her addictions. Kym feels suffocated by her family while Rachel is angry that her sister gets all of the attention. Especially now on her wedding weekend. There are arguments, crying and even a few punches thrown. Directer Jonathan Demme (Silence Of The Lambs) shot this film with mostly a hand held camera, reminiscent of the Dogme 95 faded movement. This gives the movie an almost documentary feel. As if we were eves dropping on someones home movie. (This was shot in digital though so no need to worry about grain)
You could break this down into three acts, so lets do that shall we.
Act 1. The Wedding Rehearsal - This is where we meet the families of the bride and groom, just as they are meeting each other for the first time. It is here we learn that Kym's parents are divorced and both remarried. There is nervous tension as Rachel has to explain why her sister is not the brides maid. Kym, ever the chain smoker also has to report to meetings and as she says "I'm here to pee in a cup." We start to figure out that there is something under the surface that this family has yet to come to terms with. Enter Kym's mom Abby (Debera Winger, finally back on screen) She is hours late and once she arrives it is easy to tell she loves her daughters but almost at a distance, uncomfortable. Demme uses this time to depict a long dinner scene where both families stand up one at a time and make a toast to the almost married. Here we learn about them through the eyes of others. Kym makes her toast all about the wonders of her personal 12 step journey, much to the anxiety of the other guests. It is in a scene like this where a movie transforms into real life. Eyes at the table wander and cringe while we are eventually brought back to the point, sort of.
Act 2. Emotional Breakdown. Our family is now back at home where Rachel has a few things to say about Kym's toast. A sit down conversation turns into a full blown war and Rachel wins by declaring that she is pregnant. "Thats not fair" says Kym. This middle act becomes the arch of the movie. Full details are released about what Kym did and how everyone involved has struggled with it for many years. Hathaway earned an Oscar nomination for this role as she plays this tortured person so vividly and chaotically. You know she cares, you see her change but she just cant get out of her own way. This leads up to Kym fleeing to her mothers house. **SPOILER TIME!** The conversation soon escalates into violence as Kym asks her mother why she left her alone at age 16 with there younger brother Ethan. See, Kym was a junkie and drove her car off a bridge, unable to get her brother out of his car seat, he drowned. She asks "Why? You knew who I was!" her reply? "Because you were at your best with him."
Act 3. The Wedding. After an emotional scene between Rachel and Kym making amends we can now start the nuptials, and what a wedding this is. The vows are full on songs from the heart. Literally as the groom sings to his wife to be. The ceremony proceeds and once again we are back into home movie territory. This is where the movie starts to lose me as we are subject to endless songs while (mostly) everyone dances around. This is not your normal movie soundtrack, everything played is live during the filming. A very nice touch but goes on for far too long. We eventually find ourselves at the next morning where the ending does not cheat us after investing so much time with these people. In the end all you have is family and regardless of what you do you know they will be there for you.
I have to mention Rosemarie DeWitt. She is the rock within this production. She deserves praise for her role. At times she is scared, at times she is happy, at times she is angry but all the time grounded and gives an astonishing performance.
This movie is not for everyone. The pacing can be slow and the elaborate musical expression, while fun, drags on just a bit too long. However, if you enjoy truly wonderful performances from a highly gifted cast, dealing with extreme emotional baggage. This is a keeper and a truly amazing film.
3 1/2 Crowes out of 4.
