The Anniversary Party

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The Anniversary Party

R

2001

1h 55m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

115 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the next 24 hours, Joe and Sally Therrian's 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.

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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.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Jun 19, 2003

3.5/4

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

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

Jul 27, 2001

Too formlessly turgid.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 25, 2001

3/4

The best thing that one can say about The Anniversary Party is that it raises more questions about its central characters than it can possibly answer -- which may weaken it as a drama but not as a search for truth.

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Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

Apr 30, 2024

4/5

Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming co-wrote, directed and head a star-studded cast whose standout ensemble acting is among the most striking assets in this droll, sharply observed Hollywood comedy-drama.

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Amy Bracken Sparks

Cleveland Free Times

Oct 26, 2021

The dialogue feels real, full of assumptions and faux pas, often painful and awkward.

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Mar 5, 2021

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.

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Robert P

@Superbad 3 hrs ago

The Anniversary Party is a *3* star Movie!

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Yuri B.

@RyuBlack Jan 3, 2026

Quite honestly, the movie & cast were great... Leigh & Alan C. were quite capable as actor/directors.

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Drew H

@drew8804 Apr 23, 2025

Very interesting movie. The cast Drew me in for this one. First off - Parker Posey - enough said. Then also starring Alan Cumming, Kevin Kline and John C Reilly. Plus Gwyneth Paltrow, which is always a bonus! The most intriguing casting for me was seeing Jennifer Beals and Jane Adams in the same film together. I first new of Jane from back during the original run of Frasier, when she played Niles love interest Mel. Jennifer Beals im less familiar with, but always enjoy. In my mind those two run very similar and so I never really expected to see them cast together. With all that star power I was very intrigued. The entertaining plot takes place over the course of 12 hours and highlights the highs and lows of a party...an Anniversary Party. I never thought watching a party play out would keep my attention, but this subtle plot depicting the more Hollywood side of life shed a light into just how care free that side of the world can be. The nuanced performances by the unique cast certainly pull you in swift enough when it counts and carry the story from start to finish. Alan Cumming is always an interesting watch and where his characters go. Give it a shot! Its not disappointing; alittle staple and a gem of movie before streaming came along and all-star casts become the everyday trend.

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John A

@ExcessMale May 4, 2023

A bit of an experimental film written and directed by two actors that also serve as the main characters. The length is one of the main issues on top of the whole thing feeling like it's some kind of exercise for a collective of significant actors.

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Steve D

@RT35616104 Feb 5, 2023

Not my taste but it is well acted and has a fantastic cast doing some of their best work.

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Oct 19, 2017

Quite honestly, the movie & cast was great... Leigh & Cumming were quite capable as actor/directors.

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Jennifer Jason Leigh

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Joe Therrian

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Synopsis

In the next 24 hours, Joe and Sally Therrian's 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.

Director: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming
Producer: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, JoAnne Sellar
Screenwriter: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming
Distributor: Fine Line Features
Production Co: Fine Line Features, Ghoulardi Film Company, Pas de Quoi
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.1M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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