Cinema Voyage - Michael Pearson

This blog is PRIMARILY about movies. Some dvd and some that are still in the theater. Also, links are provided on some movies if you decide you want to purchase it. Also, I write and read quite a bit. So, you may, from time to time see a book review here from an up-and-coming author or an interview with one. If you have a book that you have written, please don't hesitate to contact me if you want an unbiased opinion. I would be happy to read and review what you've written. We should value our creative people more.

[ Previous ] [ Next ]

Review - Rachel Getting Married

March 16th 2009 10:42

Weddings are a very personal event and having attended quite a few in my time, it often makes me wonder why people invite so many guests - is it for the gifts? Intensely personal and private, weddings bring up all kinds of emotions and in my opinion, wedding speeches should only be for the ears of a select few. They are intensely private, not to mention dull, and they can be uncomfortable for those who have to listen to stories and inside jokes that they are otherwise not privvy too. And this is how Rachel Getting Married made me feel. I was the gatecrasher at a stranger's wedding and yes, without the wine to go with the toasts, a little bored at times.

The movie is entitled Rachel's Wedding although Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) is, much to her dismay, not the focus of the situation. Rachel's little sister Kym (Anne Hathaway) is a recovering drug addict. She is the prodigal daughter returning home for Rachel's wedding to Record Producer Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe). Although whilst she is in rehab, she is far from well. Her emotional role was nominated for an Oscar and her self loathness takes over her actions and thoughts in a pitiful and, sometimes painful to watch, cry for help.

Upon first meeting her sister who she has not seen for a long time she asks her whether she has been "puking to lose weight as she looks asian". Upon finding out she is pregnant instead of congratulating her she responds with "that is so unfair". She clearly has many issues to iron out. But as all good dysfunctional family's go - she is not the only one. Kym starts off her congratulatory speech with "I am Shiva the Destroyer and your harbinger of doom for this evening." She is talking in jest but the underlying tone is that there is more than a small element of truth to her words. And as much as her family are supportive of her issues, Rachel particularly is annoyed for the simple fact that everything revolves around Kym.

Bill Irwin is fantastic as Paul, the father and it is great to see Debra Winger return to the big screen with her role of Abby, and exwife to Paul.

Filmed in the realistic Dogma style of shooting movies, the entire film was captured like a home movie and was also dedicated to Robert Altman for his highly naturalistic style. Written by Jenny Lumet (daughter to Sidney Lumet) and directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia), the movie managed to truthfully portray a very dysfunctional family with a long history of issues over the span of a few days.

Voyage Review: 3.5/5

Check out the preview below:

Vote

subscribe to this blog

follow this blog on Orble

start your own blog

[ Link ]

Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

Related Posts:

Relate This Post

Recent Posts:
      300
      New Discoveries I'd Like to Share
      The Funniest Viral Video of 2010
      Apologies
      Harrison Ford Wants Indiana Jones to Die!

[ Previous - Review - Surveillance ]

[ Next - Review - Thick As Thieves (The Code) ]