Many of the films that Hollywood releases into theaters these days can collectively be referred to as popcorn flicks — they are easily digestible movies made for casual viewing and do not require a lot of deep reflection. “Rachel Getting Married,” on the other hand, is not one of these films. Instead, it is is a brutally honest look into a fragmented American household that will have audiences contemplating the difficulties that come with facing your inner demons.
When it comes to bringing darkly realistic subject matters to the silver screen, Jonathan Demme, who directed the multi-Academy Award-winning films “Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia,” is an experienced veteran. In his latest picture, Demme skillfully captures the fierce upheaval that comes from reopening old wounds being reopened when a family gathers for an event as emotionally charged as a wedding.
But it is the heartrending dialogue that vividly brings this movie to life. Although Jenny Lumet has no previous screenwriting credits, it is quite apparent that she has the same natural knack for film as her father, five-time Oscar-nominated director Sidney Lumet (“The Verdict,” “Dog Day Afternoon”). Not only is Lumet able to channel raw, down-to-earth emotion through her characters, but she also pens an intensely dramatic script which that in turn provides an opportunity for the film’s brilliant cast to demonstrate show off their diverse artistic abilities.
Kym (Anne Hathaway, “Get Smart”) is a former model and drug addict who has been in and out of rehab for the past 10 years. When she returns home to attend her sister Rachel’s (Rosemarie DeWitt, “Cinderella Man”) wedding, Kym brings with her a troubled history of personal crisis and conflict that is responsible for tearing apart her family, specifically affecting her now remarried father (Bill Irwin, “Across the Universe”) and mother (Debra Winger, “Radio”). Although family and friends try not to let the past ruin a pleasant weekend, Kym proves to be the catalyst for bringing buried tensions to the surface.
While many independent filmmakers love to use jumpy cinematography that resembles work done by a handheld video camera solely as a way to flaunt their movie’s indie status, Demme uses this technique to greatly improve this film as a whole. The movie ends up feeling like a documentary in the way that the camera follows the family around as they go through the various steps involved in planning and having a wedding. Although this results in some lengthy scenes that may grow tiresome to some audiences — the music infused reception, in particular, could have been edited a little without losing impact — the intimate, heartfelt encounters and revelations that make up these scenes are crucial to the film’s overall dramatic effect.
In fact, this film is so personal that Demme has effectively created the sensation that you are an actual guest of this wedding and not just a distant onlooker. There are even times when the movie can be painful or uncomfortable to watch, because you become so emotionally engrossed with what is happening on scene and begin to form connections with the characters as if they are your own sibling or parent.
Playing a role that is a complete turnaround from her typically squeaky clean image, Hathaway is without a doubt the highlight of this film. Not only does she drop her cynical one-liners with perfect timing, but the way she characterizes the sheltered emotions and troubled past of a junkie is absolutely captivating.
Despite playing second fiddle to Hathaway, DeWitt still finds room to shine. She provides the film’s most compelling and relatable performance as a self-indulged sister who only wants her big day to go on without a hitch even if it means alienating Kym.
Bill Irwin is equally phenomenal in his role as a sensitive, overprotective father. He has the exceptional ability to make the audience truly feel his wide range of emotions — whether they are sheer joy or terrible heartache. Although she has a very limited part in the movie, the always fiery Winger still gives a memorable performance. She has great back-and-forth chemistry with Hathaway as is demonstrated in the film’s most explosive scene — a scene that would not have had the same poignant impact had it not been for Winger’s performance.
With the help of an all-around solid group of actors and the superb insight of Lumet, Demme does not just make a film with “Rachel Getting Married” but, in actuality, creates a true movie-going experience. In the end, this is one wedding invitation that you will be more than happy you accepted.
4 1/2 stars out of 5
