Review of Rachel Getting Married (2008) by Vipula G — 26 Jul 2010

My first impression of this movie based on its cover and cast was that it would be a light hearted chick flick. Boy, was I wrong. Starring , Anne Hathway, ?Rachel Getting Married? is a docudrama that deals with issues like drug addiction and rehabilitation.

Kym ( Anne H) is a chronic drug addict who has been in and out of rehabiliation for the past 9 years. She gets a few days of leave to attend her sister, Rachel?s ( Rosemarie DeWiit) wedding. The story is very ?slice of life? ? the focus being how Kym who tries to fit in with her ?normal? family who are always conscious of her illness and are watching her. Interesting relationships are potrayed ? the overprotective dad who dotes on Kym even though she has disappointed them in several ways, the tender and deep bond between Kym and Rachel which has strains of tension due to the long separations and rivalry for their dad?s attention. The story gets interesting as more traumatizing family secrets tumble out of the closet.

Anne H was very convincing as a disturbed person in a dark place and though I dont have any sympathy for drug addicts , I could empathize with Kym?s struggle to live a normal life. Rosemarie D. acts beautifully and juggles the role of bride-to-be, loving sister and distraught daughter.

One thing that I found strange and was wondering about the whole Indian theme of the wedding ? since neither the bride nor the groom , Sidney ( Tunde Adebimpe) were Indians. If there was a deeper message with all the rituals than I missed it ? and its kind of strange cause I am an Indian myself.

Though not an entertianer and probably not the best movie on the subject, it is something that can be watched once.