Rachel Getting Married - REVIEW

Movies like "Rachel Getting Married" are always tricky to review. Much like "Margot at the Wedding" or "The Squid and the Whale", the story is driven mostly by layers of emotion, rather than a structured A to B, B to C, C to D, etc... type format. However, "Rachel" does have a bit more structure than the other two, and it boasts something even more striking: realistically dysfunctional people who DON'T make me want to kill myself. Though they bicker and snipe, the discord in the central family is somewhat understandable - it stems from a significant family trauma. However, like Margot at the Wedding, it does boast a very strong central performance, only this time it's Anne Hathaway. That's right, that girl from "The Princess Diaries" can actually act, and she can act damn well. Though at times shrill, her character Kym is actually pitiable because of what has happened to her (unlike Nicole Kidman's Margot, who I wanted to strangle). In one particular scene, Kym stands to toast her betrothed sister Rachel (Mad Men's Rosemarie Dewitt), and as she continues to fumble, she begins to briefly breakdown, before regaining her composure. It's a mature and strong performance that showcases Hathaway's till now unutilized acting skills. However, best of all, the film manages to end on something of a high (ish) note, as opposed to the randomness of Margot or Squid's endings. The wedding itself, is obviously jovial, and brings everyone together after two days of fighting, but even it is punctured by brief glimpses of Kym struggling with her past. My biggest complaint with the film, however, is that once we get to the wedding, director Jonathan Demme seems more interested in focusing on the music (there's barely any dialogue during the reception), and limits his actors. However, as a whole, this devastating little movie is still much better than the usual "realistic dysfunctional family drama" movie, especially considering the main character, who for once, has shreds of likeability.

Grade: B+

Nominations: Best Actress - Anne Hathaway(#1 WINNER), Best Supporting Actress - Rosemarie Dewitt(#4)

Number of 2008 films seen: 36
Top 10 of the Year:
1. The Dark Knight
2. WALL-E
3. In Bruges
4. Burn After Reading
5. The Fall
6. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
7. The Duchess
8. Tropic Thunder
9. Rachel Getting Married
10. Boy-A