Review of Rachel Getting Married (2008) by Simona B — 13 Aug 2010

There is a peculiar Woody Allen feel to Rachel Getting Married: it is quirky yet reminiscent of old school ensemble dramas. It is also one of the very few films that appears to tick all the boxes my list has available for ticking, yet leaves something wanting in its make-up.

Granted, Rachel Getting Married looks great on paper: Cinematography (pretty, I didn?t even mind the hand-held camera), Direction (Demme), Editing (steady), Acting Performances (competent, well rehearsed), Story (cleverly spiced up with humour), Production Design (a treat. Blimey if Rachel?s wedding did not look like the coolest wedding ever!). So why did I not love it? I liked it alright, but love ...? No. One of the reasons might be that this film left me with a slight impression of prosaism. Also, Kym?s relationship with her mother is marginalised to the point where the mother becomes a placeholder of a character.

I can?t put my finger on it, but instead of being awed and moved by Rachel Getting Married I was only mildly entertained.