Review of Rachel Getting Married (2008) by David T — 01 Sep 2012

Jonathan Demme's movies are at their best when they capture the messiness of ordinary life. "Rachel Getting Married" succeeds brilliantly in doing just that. This is the best movie Demme has made in years.

He sets the story during the celebration of a family wedding and unveils the joys and sorrows typical of families that often occur at such a major event. Anne Hathaway is Kym, a young woman who is released from drug rehab in order to attend her sister Rachel's (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding.

The screenplay by Jenny Lumet, daughter of Sidney Lumet, does a masterful job of teasing us with revelations of friction in the relationship of this family because of Kym's drug abuse. There are scenes that are so painful in their honesty in the resentments and regret being expressed that we want to look away.

Yet Demme's humor emerges as he lets family rituals - often shot with a handheld camera - play out, such as a dishwasher stacking contest and the dinner gathering of family and friends. These scenes feel authentically improvisational and are heartbreaking in their intimacy.

Music plays a significant role as Sister Carol East and Brooklyn Demme give live performances that become a part of the ambiance. Anne Hathaway and Rosemarie DeWitt are exceptional at making us believe they are really sisters.

Casting the great Debra Winger as the zonked out mother was a shrewd choice. With Bill Irwin, Mather Zickel, Anna Deavere Smith, Anisa George, Tunde Adebimpe.