The Anniversary Party (2001) - Rotten Tomatoes

critics consensus

This Party features a killer cast and many funny scenes, but the movie feels like nothing more than an excuse for the actors to emote. Read critic reviews

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The Anniversary Party Photos

Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh, with Otis the dog, in Fine Line Features' "The Anniversary Party."

Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) Jennifer Beals, Alan Cumming, and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

Co-directors Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming on the set of Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

The cast of Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party with Alan Cumming (I) and Jennifer Jason Leigh (r) in foreground.

(l-r) Mina Badie and Denis O'Hare in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

The cast of Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) Directors Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming on the set of Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) John Benjamin Hickey and Parker Posey in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) Greta Kline, Phoebe Cates, Owen Kline, and Kevin Kline in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) John C. Reilly and Jane Adams in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

(l-r) Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Panes in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Fine Line Features' The Anniversary Party.

The Anniversary Party (2001)

The Anniversary Party (2001)

The Anniversary Party (2001)

The Anniversary Party (2001)

The Anniversary Party (2001)

The Anniversary Party (2001)

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Movie Info

In the next 24 hours, Joe (Alan Cumming) and Sally Therrian's (Jennifer Jason Leigh) roller-coaster marriage will go through an unexpected transformation - witnessed and abetted by their closest friends at an anniversary party that will not soon be forgotten. As the party games grow serious, what becomes clear is that Joe and Sally stand on the precipice of change, asking the questions facing all modern relationships.

Rating:

R (Language|Drug Use|Nudity)
Genre:

comedy, gay & lesbian
Original Language:

English
Director:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming
Producer:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, JoAnne Sellar
Writer:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming
Release Date (Theaters):

Jun 24, 2001 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA):

$4.1M
Runtime:

1h 55m
Production Co:

Ghoulardi Film Company, Pas de Quoi, Fine Line Features
Sound Mix:

Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Alan Cumming
Joe Therrian

Jennifer Jason Leigh
Sally Therrian

Steven Freedman
Yoga Instructor

Clara Demedrano
Rosa

John Benjamin Hickey
Jerry Adams

Parker Posey
Judy Adams

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Critic Reviews for The Anniversary Party

All Critics (113) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (45)

Leigh and Cumming prove to be adept writers and, like many actors-turned-directors, are excellent at eliciting fine performances from their fellow thespians.

June 19, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
Quote not available.

March 10, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
Quote not available.

March 22, 2002 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Globe and Mail
Quote not available.

January 15, 2002 | Rating: 3/4

Susan Stark
Detroit News
Too formlessly turgid.

July 27, 2001 | Full Review…

Andrew Sarris
Observer
The acting is what makes this picture worth framing.

June 26, 2001 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Leigh and Cumming are somewhat disgruntled members of the Hollywood scene who have not deeply worked out a critique. The film lacks sufficient anger at the current state of affairs and, more generally, a strong purposefulness.

March 5, 2021 | Full Review…

Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Quote not available.

November 20, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Stacie Hougland
Hollywood.com
Quote not available.

August 7, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Bob Grimm
Sacramento News & Review
As first film, it suffers from problems of most movies directed by actors: Big emotional scenes and indulgent acting, but it has some moments of truth

April 20, 2006 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
...because Cumming and Leigh avoid most (though not all) of the easy choices common to first-time writers and directors, the movie stays on the right side of entertaining.

April 5, 2006 | Full Review…

Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
Quote not available.

December 6, 2005 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Film Threat

View All Critic Reviews (113)

Audience Reviews for The Anniversary Party

Dec 23, 2009

This is what happens when you let just anyone direct films...films like these.

Joseph E Super Reviewer
Nov 28, 2009

Don't let the fact that the title contains the word "party" fool you.

Ed K Super Reviewer
Apr 12, 2008

There's something quite unusual about this movie. It's like the Big Chill for the new millenium.

Sunil J Super Reviewer
Nov 20, 2006

I really liked it the first time I saw it. Not so much the second time.

Michael G Super Reviewer

See all Audience reviews

The Anniversary Party Quotes

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