Pulsates with life
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
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Reviews Counted:183
Fresh:158
Rotten:25
Average Rating:7.5/10
Consensus: Engrossing tale of family angst, highlighted by Hathaway's powerful performance.
Theatrical Release:Oct 3, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $12,748,504
Synopsis: Young fans of Anne Hathaway's previous roles in family films such as THE PRINCESS DIARIES and ELLA ENCHANTED probably wouldn't know what to make of her character in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.... Young fans of Anne Hathaway's previous roles in family films such as THE PRINCESS DIARIES and ELLA ENCHANTED probably wouldn't know what to make of her character in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED. Hathaway's Kym is a recovering drug addict who leaves rehab behind to attend the wedding of her sister, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt, MAD MEN), but Kym's problems follow her home. Rachel cannot forgive or forget Kym's many drug-fuelled transgressions, and their father (Bill Irwin, LADY IN THE WATER) dotes on his returned daughter. As the wedding grows closer, the spotlight shifts from Rachel to Kym, much to the bride's irritation. The alternately hilarious and heartbreaking dialogue in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED adeptly walks the line between wit and reality, giving audiences a picture of a family that feels entirely authentic. Before directing this indie-feeling drama, director Jonathan Demme spent time doing a few documentaries, such as THE AGRONOMIST, and JIMMY CARTER: MAN FROM PLAINS. These films seem like a departure from his normal oeuvre--including THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS--but they work as a bridge to RACHEL GETTING MARRIED. Demme chose to shoot this film with handheld cameras, lending it a naturalistic feel, as though a cameraman is simply shooting the family videos of a fascinatingly flawed group of people. The cast certainly deserves praise for the film's authenticity as well. Much has been made of Hathaway's masterly shedding of her usual roles to play the damaged Kym, but credit should also go to the other members of the cast, particularly Irwin as the too devoted father and DeWitt as the overlooked sister. Stories about dysfunctional families are nothing new in the world of cinema, but RACHEL GETTING MARRIED stands out thanks to its talented cast and excellent script from Jenny Lumet, daughter of director Sidney Lumet (NETWORK). [More]
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Debra Winger, Bill Irwin, Rosemarie DeWitt
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Debra Winger, Bill Irwin, Rosemarie DeWitt, Anna Deavere Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Mather Zickel, Anisa George
Director: Jonathan Demme
Director: Jonathan Demme
Screenwriter: Jenny Lumet
Producer: Neda Armian, Marc Platt
Composer: Zafer Tawil, Donald Harrison
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
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Release:
Mar 10, 2009
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French
- Subtitles - English, French
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
- Interviews: Cast and Crew Q&A at the Jacob Burns Center
Audio Commentary:
- 1. Rosemarie DeWitt, Actor
- 2. Neda Armian, Producer
- 3. Jenny Lumet, Screenwriter
- 4. Tim Squyres, Editor
Featurette:
- 1. The Wedding Band
- 2. A Look Behind the Scenes of Rachel Getting Married
Reviews for Rachel Getting Married
Kym crashes through her family and the weekend, careening off real and imaginary obstacles with a fierce yet still sympathetic rancor. It's the home movie you hope never to see of your life, impeccably filled with color and on-set live music and life and
Only those who are willing to forego the many imperfections in the loosey-goosey script and Demme's improvisational style will feel the acting makes the film worth seeing.
The messiness that goes with genuinely flawed and complex people is what makes the film ring so true and cut so deep.
Most noteworthy for Anne Hathaway's absorbing, Oscar-nominated portrayal of a disturbed soul desperate to control the demons derailing her reality.
This isn't the kind of melodrama where a happy facade is slowly torn away-the tensions are there from the start and no one has illusions that things are nice and rosy.
The only real surprise is that someone doesn't break into "Burning Down the House" at the rehearsal dinner.
Jonathan Demme has struck a brilliant balance here, delivering a film that looks, sounds and feels painfully honest, while making it entertaining as well as deeply truthful.
The screenplay is fairly standard and even has a few cracks in it, but this film does have exceptional performances. Those performances lift this film above mediocrity.
The pace never slackens, the prattle is relentless. And in the end I was moved.
Consegue estabelecer, através do recorte de apenas um fim-de-semana na vida de seus personagens, um retrato profundamente complexo e tocante das relações entre os integrantes de uma família marcada pela tragédia.
Those who surrender to Demme's disarming, almost participatory technique will find themselves overwhelmed, exhilarated and inspired by the eternal possibilities of cinema.
The film's only drawback is that, like Kym, it doesn't know when to stop. The intimate feel of a home movie is uniformly matched by an over-indulgent running time.
Hathaway's performance has been deservedly nominated for an Oscar. Whether or not she wins, here's hoping the associated kudos saves her from ever having to do another Bride Wars.
Demme...allows events to meander at times, but his cast is deft and emotionally direct.
Latest News for Rachel Getting Married
July 09, 2009:
The Couch Tomato: Rachel Getting Married, W.
This week, we look at the Anne Hathaway's Best Actress-nominated drama Rachel Getting Married, Oliver Stone's tepid take on Dubya, W. and Samuel L. Jackson going psychotic (you... More...
March 26, 2009:
Forget about Rachel getting married, Kym's getting sober. ![]()
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March 09, 2009:
RT on DVD: Rachel Getting Married, Milk Lead Super Fresh New Releases
Home video enthusiasts, prepare yourself for what may be the best week ever! This week you'll have to choose between Academy Award flicks Rachel Getting Married (Best Actress... More...
March 05, 2009:
Something old (cinema verite), something new (combo Buddhist-African matrimonial ambiance), something borrowed (Robert Altman) and something blue (the whole family). The Devil Wears Bridesmaid Garb. ![]()
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