Everything you've read about Anne Hathaway's performance in Rachel Getting Married, Jonathan Demme's latest film, is spot on. Ms. Hathaway storms headlong into the role of Kym, a recovering addict out of rehab for the weekend to attend her sister's nuptials and the results are fairly spectacular. To call Kym hard to like would be an understatement. She's a whirling dervish of narcissism and self-destruction, and it's to Ms. Hathaway's credit that I never once found her insufferable or unlikeable. The role calls for razor thin precision, and the beautiful actress tows the line incredibly well.To wit: About halfway through the film, Kym is at an addiction meeting and she shares the story about how when she was 16 she... well, I won't spoil it for you, but suffice to say the story i absolutely heartbreaking. With the camera square on her for the entire scene, unblinking and unmoving, Ms. Hathaway quietly tells her tale while puffing on one of Kym's trademark cigarettes. It's a perfect moment; the emotional crest of the film and the piece of information that helps Kym transcend her, up to that point, unforgivable ways. Unfortunately for the film, after that scene there are still some forty-five minutes to go. And that's where Rachel Getting Married starts to sag and ultimately becomes too long for it's own good.
Like Noah Baumbach's epic misfire Margot at the Wedding, a film which Rachel Getting Married is more than similar to, Jonathan Demme can't seem to get anywhere with the characters after a certain point and everything starts to feel redundant. And that's to say nothing of the, at least, ten minute musical sequence at the wedding reception, which felt like an eternity. Seriously. I barely want to see wedding videos that I'm a part of. What makes Mr. Demme think I'd want to see a wedding video of people I don't even know? I assume he thought the enthusiasm and joviality would be contagious. It isn't.
Still, to dismiss Rachel Getting Married as a dud would be too strong. The performances alone prevent that from happening. Ms. Hathaway is the star here, but she's matched almost move for move by Rosemarie Dewitt. Ms. Dewitt, best known as Don Draper's Bohemian lover from season one of Mad Men, shines as the titular Rachel. She's warm and loving and clearly carries a big chip on her shoulder with regards to Kym's relationship with their father. Rachel doesn't like Kym, but because they're sisters, it's clear she that still loves her. Again, it's a tightrope performance and Ms. Dewitt sells it perfectly. In single takes you can see the loathing and love that she feels for Kym, spread across her face. It's a beautiful performance.
There are other great turns here as well: Bill Irwin as the father, simple, funny and fatherly; Debra Winger as the mother, distant, frowning and unhappy. (It would have been nice to see more of Ms. Winger, as the camera certainly loves her.) And of course, the greatest non-Hathaway/Dewitt performance, that of cinematographer Declan Quinn. Mr. Quinn's work here is amazing; all hand held camera work and natural lighting. The film looks intimate, beautiful, realistic and striking.
In the end however, Rachel Getting Married is a slight disappointment. The film should have been better, plain and simple. Perhaps the problems are inherent to the wedding genre. Naturally things are going to be contrived and have a Lifetime movie feel to them when you deal with weddings and families. I'll always remember Rachel Getting Married for Anne Hathaway, but I am positive that I've been to better weddings.
Like Noah Baumbach's epic misfire Margot at the Wedding, a film which Rachel Getting Married is more than similar to, Jonathan Demme can't seem to get anywhere with the characters after a certain point and everything starts to feel redundant. And that's to say nothing of the, at least, ten minute musical sequence at the wedding reception, which felt like an eternity. Seriously. I barely want to see wedding videos that I'm a part of. What makes Mr. Demme think I'd want to see a wedding video of people I don't even know? I assume he thought the enthusiasm and joviality would be contagious. It isn't.
Still, to dismiss Rachel Getting Married as a dud would be too strong. The performances alone prevent that from happening. Ms. Hathaway is the star here, but she's matched almost move for move by Rosemarie Dewitt. Ms. Dewitt, best known as Don Draper's Bohemian lover from season one of Mad Men, shines as the titular Rachel. She's warm and loving and clearly carries a big chip on her shoulder with regards to Kym's relationship with their father. Rachel doesn't like Kym, but because they're sisters, it's clear she that still loves her. Again, it's a tightrope performance and Ms. Dewitt sells it perfectly. In single takes you can see the loathing and love that she feels for Kym, spread across her face. It's a beautiful performance.
There are other great turns here as well: Bill Irwin as the father, simple, funny and fatherly; Debra Winger as the mother, distant, frowning and unhappy. (It would have been nice to see more of Ms. Winger, as the camera certainly loves her.) And of course, the greatest non-Hathaway/Dewitt performance, that of cinematographer Declan Quinn. Mr. Quinn's work here is amazing; all hand held camera work and natural lighting. The film looks intimate, beautiful, realistic and striking.
In the end however, Rachel Getting Married is a slight disappointment. The film should have been better, plain and simple. Perhaps the problems are inherent to the wedding genre. Naturally things are going to be contrived and have a Lifetime movie feel to them when you deal with weddings and families. I'll always remember Rachel Getting Married for Anne Hathaway, but I am positive that I've been to better weddings.
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