Review of Rachel Getting Married (2008) by Jimmy J — 26 Nov 2010

Man, I wanna go to this wedding.

A raw and dark film, Rachel Getting Married is kept afloat by Anne Hathaway's stunning performance as the out of control recovering addict who just loves to mar others time.

The plot goes as this: Kym, the recovering addict, is released from Rehab for a couple days to attend her sisters wedding. It's a simple idea, but it's a helluva ride.

When Rachel arrives at her childhood house she hasn't seen in so long, she slowly ponders each room that is filled with new people planning her sisters wedding. You really do feel like your in Kym's shoes as she wanders through her forgotten house. The cinematography is wonderful, switching gracefully to a steady-cam to a full-on hand held.

The performances here make or break a film like this; if any of the mains had made a single line unbelievable, this film would've been a train wreck. Luckily, the cast is impecably cast and there isn't a single flaw in their acting.

In particular, Anne Hathaway's Kym is that bitchy, sardonic chick you see outside of those gas stations smoking a cigarette. She is such a jerk and sarcastic young woman she says to her sister "You're so skinny - it's like you're Asian!" It's a mess of a role and Hathaway milks it for all she's got. Although I haven't seen all the nominees for the Oscar she was nominated for, I believe she should have one based on her intensity and ferocity. She sure has grown up from the Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted.

Another standout is Debra Wringer as Kym and Rachel's mother. She doesn't have much screen time but when she does she tries to command the scene, combating with Hathaway, making a probably unintentional but pivotal tension that must be between the two characters in order for the cogs in this machine to work. It all culminates to, as if it were an action film, a final battle that had my heart literally pounding.

There are other standouts, such as Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel, the fed-up sister who plays with an intense wit, and Bill Irwin as the eccentric father trying to make sure Kym doesn't kill herself, not seeing that he's such a smother that she might have to to escape his grasp.

One aspect of the film that lulled me was the fact that the film spends so much time on rather stupid things, such as speeches at the rehearsal wedding that don't aid the plot at all, or a rather long dishwasher section. Another flaw is a small lack of use of the extras; they really could have made something out of that belly dancer.

In the end, it's a wonderful film, filled with great cinematography, humor, angst, and performances that are haunting. 80%.