Review of Rachel Getting Married (2008) by Augustine H — 07 Jan 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Anne Hathaway, who came into her own as an actress with this movie, portrays Kym Buckman, a 20-something woman who has been struggling to control her chemical-induced demons nearly her entire life. She is temporarily discharged from her treatment center to return home for the wedding of her sister, Rachel. Upon her arrival, the tension is felt between her and her family. Her father, played by Bill Irwin in a marvelously understated performance, exhibits all the love a father should have for a daughter, but is even put to the test himself by Kym's action, past and present. Irwin's portrayal of the head of the household is more than noteworthy. Hathaway does little to endear her character to the audience -- which is the entire point. You're never quite sure if Kym's self-absorption is what fuels her addiction, or vice versa. This not necessarily a movie about addiction, but it is an excellent demonstration on the toll that addiction takes not only on those afflicted with the disease, but by those around the afflicted.

Jonathan Demme's direction of this film should not have gone as unnoticed as it did. Its narrative style carried some of the scenes that would have seemed otherwise overly extended and too drawn out (such as the rehearsal dinner scene and the dishwasher scene) in a manner that suited the film's element. His handheld camera style won't be for everyone, but I felt it added a certain layer of depth to the movie. Demme's direction provided great continuity from scene to scene, and the audience feels as if they are actually watching the wedding and family festivities while at the events themselves.

This is also one of the more well-written films I have seen recently. I picked up a cheaper, previously viewed copy of this movie simply because I never got around to seeing it at the theater. Should something happen to my disc, I'll be replacing it immediately. I highly recommend this film.