Rachel Getting Married, if Anne Hathaway Will Let Her

After a movie season of numerous disappointments (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express, INDIANA JONES, Religulous, among others) not only is Rachel Getting Married a welcome distraction, but the film is just utterly, beautifully executed. I would have to describes Rachel Getting Married as life, drama included, on film. And a masterful rendition at that. Though the film makes for an intense viewing experience that certainly won't leave you feeling buoyant or elated as you leave the theater, Rachel is a very satisfying film that truly explores the inner workings of an idiosyncratic Connecticut family surrounding a family wedding. Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) is the titular Rachel though, as the poster implies, the story is really all about Kym (Anne Hathaway). And wouldn't it annoy you if somebody else was the star of your wedding? The conflict doesn't end there however, as the film, directed by Jonathan Demme (of Silence of the Lambs fame), further explores issues surrounding Rachel's rehab, depression, and the traumatic incident in her life responsible for it all. We are brushed away with each of the characters by Demme's use of Steadicam which, although initially disorienting, ultimately proves itself as the perfect way to film the movie, just as family friends would just as likely take camcorder recordings of weddings that they attend. Moreover, Demme further draws us into the experience of Rachel, Kym, and their family and guests by the use of a beautifully scored, wholly diegetic soundtrack. Though not necessarily a disciple of the Dogma 95 movement, Demme raises the technique to its most eloquent iteration that I have seen. The focal points of the film are long, sometimes drawn out family celebration sequences (a la The Godfather) that, just as you begin to question how this actually advances the plot or characterization, smacks you across the face with alternating touching or disturbing codas. It goes without saying that all of the acting was top notch, from leading roles down to the innocuous groom (Tunde Adebimpe) himself. And expect Oscar buzz around Anne Hathaway's performance, which is decidedly un-princess like and ranges from manic to cathartic to self-destructive.