Movie Review: Rachel Getting Married

Rachel Getting Married
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Screenplay by Jenny Lumet
Starring Ann Hathaway, Rosemary DeWitt, Bill Irwin, and Debra Winger

Rachel Getting Married is an intense, poetic, and moving film starring Ann Hathaway as a barely recovered addict, who when released from rehab goes directly to her sister Rachel’s wedding.  The film has a very independent feel to it, shot with hand held cameras, using natural light, and live music.  In this style the actors were not certain when they were on camera so there are many nice candid shots.  The wedding itself is a multi-cultural, multi-family, and multi-layered affair.   Despite some of the difficult family scenes that feel incredibly realistic, the overall feel of the wedding is joyous.  However, there is a very dark undertone to the rest of the film.  Each character carries deep pains, hurts, and resentments, which burst through at unexpected moments.  Be warned there are some tough scenes filled with raw emotion, which are a little difficult to sit through.  That said, I found it a beautiful film that really allowed me to think and feel.

I give this film: *** out of four

New T.V. show:

The new T.V. show, Summer Heights High which just made its HBO debut makes for a unique viewing experience. Lately, HBO has been trying to add some new international humor to its schedule, a practice they began with Extras, a very funny show starring Ricky Gervais who created The Office.  Then followed Flight of the Conchords, a wildly humorous and intelligent show that follows the two members of the self-professed “number four folk-parody New Zealand band,” Flight of the Conchords. (The second season premiers in January). Most recently, Little Britain U.S.A.  offers funny sketches on a British-eye view of the States.

Summer Heights High is an Australian import, starring Chris Lilley, an intriguing talent, who undertakes playing three different roles in the series. The show is shot as a classic mocumentary, a style that mixes a realistic setting with an ironic, satiric inside joke. Although the first show was a tad bit slow at times, it was still very amusing.  In this first episode a misbehaving ‘badass’ boy, a rich girl who is coming as an exchange student from an exclusive private school, and a flamboyant drama teacher are introduced, each played by Lilley. The troubled boy is disruptively funny, while the girl is prone to insulting her hosts.  In the first episode she announces,  “Serial killers and rapists are nearly all public school educated—no offense”. Mr. G., the drama teacher, has very—how shall we say—“creative” ways of teaching his classes.  While I did not laugh out loud, it did make me smile, and I plan to follow it this season.