Rachel Getting Married

I was terribly surprised and saddened to see all of the negative reviews that have been written up for this movie. After skimming quite a few of them, I was surprised to see that some of the reviewers seemed to have missed the point of the film. Rachel Getting Married is certainly not an action film. There are no explosions, guns, dead bodies, ghosts, or slimy monsters. Nor is it a romantic comedy. I think perhaps the attention from the academy- whose selections are often more conventional and showy- might have caused many people to have false expectations for the film. Fans of other academy favorites, like "A Beautiful Mind," or "Gladiator," might be disappointed with this movie. My father, for example, would probably never sit through this movie- neither would my brother, for that matter. Its just not how either of them would want to spend his Friday night. I don't think everyone should like this movie, but I think that it should be judged with appropriate expectations in mind. I noticed that one reviewer mentioned that he/she could not enjoy the film because he/she found Anne Hathaway's character to be so unlikeable. I have to wonder if that viewer watched the movie all the way through. Rachel Getting Married is a portrait of a family faced with the seemingly insurmountable challenge of forgiveness. The director shows us who this woman is through the relationships she has, rather then through her actions. In the beginning of the film I also despised this character- she appears to be a narcissistic, selfish woman obsessed with her own flaws, greedily feeding off of the attention of everyone around her. As the movie progresses, however, the director mercilessly peels off layer after layer of the recovering addict- and as the minutes tick by, the viewers get swept up into the emotional turmoil of the film. I found myself empathizing with the character, and loving her despite her tremendous flaws. Once the film had ended, I realized why it was necessary to react violently to her in the beginning. I believe that the director was trying to remind the audience what it truly means to be a family, and how difficult it can be to forgive someone you love, even when you know that they are still punishing themselves. Rachel Getting Married is hard to watch, perhaps because many viewers must have people in their life that they cannot bring themselves to forgive- including themselves. How many of us have had a brother, and uncle, a parent, who did something so despicable, so terrible, that we could not look at them without being reminded of it? How many of us have known addicts who have done terrible, terrible things? How many of us avoid these people, not trusting them, not trusting ourselves, because the love we feel for them is involuntary, and leaves us vulnerable to their potential future mistakes? Rachel Getting Married forces us to examine this relationship- to experience it throughout the course of Rachel's wedding. As far as the movie being pretentious- I thought that it actually took a few shots at the pretentious, liberal, intellectual family (the unexplained cultural theme of the wedding itself, for example, I thought particularly funny). But perhaps I was only able to appreciate this because of my own experiences with privileged families (both liberal and conservative) growing up. This film is not for everyone, but I thought it a beautiful and skillful portrait of a woman- not as an individual, but as a daughter and a sister. As a person whose actions effect those around her- as a person who desperately wants to be forgiven. The performances are especially breathtaking, and the overall message is relevant. I loved it.

After years of low radar documentary films, Jonathan Demme, teamed up with the daughter of Sydney Lumet, offer up this very well written and evenly balanced family drama, anchored down by some pretty great performences. The main character of the film is recovering addict Kym, who has just been recently released from rehab to attend her sisters wedding, the title's own Rachel. Upon her arrival, it becomes immediatly obvious she is the 'black sheep' of the family and her presence stirs up a lot of tension that has been brewing in the house for years. Talent definintly runs in the family, with Jenny Lumet crafting a very balanced screenplay that is able to be both funny and dramtic without teetering to over the edge of overdone drama and lame laughs. Demme also does a fine job directing, offering up his best film since Silence of the Lambs. If there is one critism that I can point out is that the director does seem to over indulge in certain scenes, most specifically the dinner toasts and wedding reception. But those are only minor when looking at the film as a whole. Every performence is great, with the most obvious stand out being Anne Hathaway. Unlike everyone else, I have known for a long time that she could do a character like this. After her role in the exceptionally great Brokeback Mountain, it was only a matter of time till she burst out and became a full fledged serious actress. With razor sharp humor, jet black hair, and an almost broken down demure, she is one of the few actresses out of the whole year to dissapear into a role, where instead of saying "oh look, its Anne Hathaway being a drug addict", you say "oh look, its a drug addict". One hundred and ten percent yes that she got that Oscar nom. All thats left is for her to take it. A must see in the awards season and one of the years best films.

Who says a wedding movie has to be romantic, or funny, or heart warming? Do all good movies with Christmas have to be joyous? Sometimes it's the big events that set off the personal landslides that destroy families. Life Happens. This is a nice big well off, liberal family and one of the two daughters is getting married. The other is on a break from rehab, and apparently the brother was killed in a car accident when the latter drove the car into a lake. It's not a happy family, there are issues. But they try, it's the best that can be expected from any of us. Being a nice liberal family, in Connecticut, this is a rainbow event, where every community has an ambassador, although I didn't see anyone distinctly Muslim or gay, but I wasn't really looking... Oddly enough, the script writers seem to have forgotten to provide lines for most of the black people marrying into the family. Minor oversight, no? It's mostly white people playing games and laughing and arguing, and every now and then a black person says something you might or might not be able to hear over the noise of whatever's going on. The wedding itself is dressed in curry, although there don't seem to be any Indians (Eastern or Indigineous American) either. It's a very American idea of diversity, where everything comes down to clothes and food and music, and the people, well, you know, we coudn't invite everybody, there was only so much food... One reviewer, an apparent addict in recovery, says this is a movie from a recovering addicts point of view, and that may well be the case. I agree with others that the hand held camera gets tired. I didn't think that "A Christmas Tale" was THAT good, but this is yet another movie that makes the French view of dysfunctional families so much more entertaining. Watching a group of white actors act out a film studded handsomely with non-white actors, while the non-white folks have almost no script time, became so distracting that I began to tire of what became a self righteous dirge of a film. People are not wall paper and ornaments. If you're going to make a film with non-white actors, use them. If you're not going to use them, then at least be honest and make an all white movie. Making some big serious hoot and holler film with a UN cast, but with only the white people talking is far more than silly in this day and age. It's pretentious and hypocritical.

If one is looking for an light, entertaining movie about a family wedding, keep moving because this film is not for you. This well-acted but disturbing film was difficult to watch at times. It is an honest portrayal of a family dealing with unresolved issues, feelings and unspoken words as a result of addiction, that finally bubbles up at what is meant to be a joyful event. I think I would have liked to have known more of the back story and learned a little more about the characters, particularly Debra Winger's role as the mother. In so many stories, we always see the mother as the one trying to "make it all better". Here we see the father taking on that role. I don't know if I liked this film but definitely thought it was interesting and thought provoking.

This is quite possibly my favorite movie of 2008. Directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Jenny Lumet (Yep that's Sidney Lumet's daughter), Rachel Getting Married is a triumphant film full of wonderful characters and performances. Anne Hathaway plays Kym, a troubled young girl returning home from rehab to attend the marriage of her sister Rachel. Kym is followed by a long history of personal tragedy which reemerges with her arrival. Demme chose to shoot the film using a handheld, home movie style which looks beautifully rich and believable (I dont agree with those saying its annoying. Its not shaky or anything, much like a documentary film, and much less distracting than the fast, over-cutting and 30 angles per shot of a movie like Slumdog Millionaire). The characters of Rachel Getting Married are highly entertaining in their own right and make for a fascinatingly diverse set of personalities. Its almost a joy to see the conflict between this family because the emotion feels so powerful and real. Much of this should be attributed to the magnificent performance given by Hathaway. It is rare that a viewer can so easily buy into character being played by such a well known actress. The supporting cast is equally fantastic as I never found myself thinking about acting or questioning the legitimacy of anyone on film. I accepted that what I was watching was a documentary of sorts about a real place and a real family. That is a very real accomplishment in this day of special effects and over budgeted Hollywood dribble. Rachel Getting Married is the kind of all around gorgeous and ultimately uplifting film that doesn't come around often but should be savored to the fullest when it appears.

1st.. Anne Hathaway is one of the greatest actresses of of our time!!! Rachel Getting Married is messy, raw, and brilliantly real. If you think it’s “too chaotic,” that’s not the movie’s fault — it’s just that layered family dynamics aren’t for the shallow. Stick to cupcake rom-coms; the rest of us will be over here watching art. Hallmark channel is -------->

When the movie starts out like a filmed home movie, you know it's not going to be good. I like Anne Hathaway, and not certain why she chose to do this home movie. She did play an excellent junkie in the movie. I only looked this movie up because I saw that Debra Winger was in it, and wanted to see her. As usual Winger played her part well. But, oh my goodness, it was so painful to sit through this and the horrible camera footage. I got dizzy trying to keep up with the camera person's unsteady moving of the camera. I mean really, what on earth was up with that? Limited budget, or intentional? It could have been better, had it not been for the horrible videography presentation. In addition, it is the most depressing storyline of any movie I have ever seen in a long time. If you want to be depressed during and after the movie, then this is the movie for you. I feel that a one star is too high of a rating for this poorly made depressing "documentary", or "home movie video".

Wow, this movie is a revelation. This movie it's about a family trying to struggle against a tragedy that happened several years ago. And how the blame of that said tragedy lies on the shoulders of our lead character Kym, and how she seeks for attention and forgiveness the wrong way, which makes her create a catastrophe days before her sister's wedding. This movie was written so beautifully and the way it was directed and acted make it one great journey into their world, very personal; it felt like you were just another guest feeling awkward because they were trying to fix their issues with you watching. Last but not least, our leading lady; Anne Hathaway, God kid, way to blow people away; Anne was GREAT in this movie and everything I hoped she would be given that when watching brokeback mountain there was many hints to future greatness. I think she more than proved with Rachel Getting Married that she can be one of the great leading ladies of the next decade. That was not a simple performance. It was all kinds of layered, backstory suggestions, complicated mood constructions and quick wit. Best performance of 2008 hands down; kid you got robbed this past Oscars. Now if you excuse me I have to go order my own copy of this magical movie.

Ha fatto Philadelphia, Il Silenzio degli Innocenti, Una vedova Allegra, Qualcosa di Travolgente. Vinto oscar e trionfato a Hollywood. Ma questo ë per me il suo capolavoro. Uno dei suoi film piu recenti, ora che si sta dedicando molto di piu ai documentari, Rachel é un film che del documentario ha molti aspetti che lo caratterizzano alla grande: il senso di liberta e immediatezza come se la storia accadesse proprio li davanti a noi, grazie ad un cast di attori straordinari, scelti benissimo, e il tutto ripreso e montato con camere sempre piazzate alla perfezione e che si intrecciano con le dinamiche e i movimenti degli attori. Uno stile fresco, un racconto corale, una storia che, oiu che dell'evoluzione dei personaggi, vive dell"ambiente che creano davanti a noi e nel quale ci immergiamo. Il regista ci fa vedere e sentire quello che sentono i personaggi immersi negli ambienti, nelle stanze, negli angoli della casa. Vediamo particolari, scorgiamo in penombra altri nella stanza accanto, sentiamo una voce venire da un lato e poi altri dialoghi nella direzione opposta. Silenzi, parole che si intrecciano, personaggi che passano e vanno, altri che si fermano, cose che succedono in contemporanea,il tutto reso con una maestria degna del miglior. John Cassavetes. Ma il risultato non é replicabile a parole. Va vista e vissuta. Se non siete esperti di cjnema, vi sembrerà un bel film. Ma se riflettete che tutto quello che state guardando é in realta scritto, diretto e interpretato, forse capirete quanto sia difficile far sembrare il tutto vero e naturale.

Good movie where you can feel empathy for the whole family in this confusing turmoil. Very well acted, sad and comic as it is ......

"Rachel se marie" n'est pas la comédie dramatique américaine classique. Servi par des acteurs remarquables de naturel, caméra à l'épaule, le film nous plonge dans une famille le temps des préparatifs d'un mariage. C'est l'occasion de voir se dessiner les contours des différents conflits familiaux, des querelles plus ou moins enfouies, des tentatives de réconciliation. "Rachel se marie" parle de la famille, de responsabilité, d'irresponsabilité, de tristesse, de joie, d'égoïsme, d'abnégation, de désespoir, d'espoir, de patience, d'impatience, de courage, de lâcheté, et surtout d'amour. Beaucoup de subtilité et de finesse dans ce film en demi-teinte empreint de joie malgré les peines de la vie. De très belles tranches de vie qui donnent à penser et incitent au pardon.

何が言いたいのか分からない、中身のない映画で全然面白くありませんでした。

I love films that take a more relaxed pace and allow you to really get absorbed. Many of the people who hated this film may have been uncomfortable with its 'heart on the sleeve' approach - people often find it easier to watch raw emotion if it is painful, rather than joyful. The speeches the night before the wedding are no doubt hard to watch for those who could never imagine themselves expressing their deep love for friends and family in such an open way. For the rest of us, if you can get over a slight sense of voyeurism, it is a joy to watch and the longer it goes on, the more you get drawn in to the film. As for the multicultural medley, this adds another dimension to the film - for me a very enjoyable one, with the multitude of styles and sounds and some wonderful singing and music. However, perhaps this is just a matter of taste. Ultimately, it is interesting to see how Hathaway's 'black sheep' fits in (or not) to this almost too perfect wedding, bringing up issues and trauma as she goes, but never exposing it to be a sham - very sorry cynics!