Rachel Getting Married – Directed by Jonathan Demme — Drama. Released from rehab, the sister of the bride returns to the madhouse of her family for a wedding. 113 minutes Color 2008
* * * * *
The features accompanying the film are quite interesting. As is the picture itself. We have the inestimable Debra Winger fascinating. The story hinges on her being that, and that alone, but the story also is one which the watcher must tell all by observation as though one were Declan Quinn’s camera, for the story is not spelled out, nor should it be. Bill Irwin plays the father of the three children, and he loves them, but he is an idiot and quite clueless about all of them. It’s a welcome piece of narrative strategy on the part of the screenwriter, Miss Lumet. The picture is easily acted, and we drift along with it through the rooms of a wonderful big house, which we are home in, and know by heart, which is why things don’t have to be spelled out. One can read these people without earphones. It’s as though we were invited guests to this melting pot marriage and were somehow privy to the internal and infernal goings on. Ann Hathaway is just grand as the irritating self-centered sister of Rachel. It’s an easy role to play but she does it beautifully, even down to the most irritating haircut ever seen on a human being and all the wrong clothes. This is not a romantic comedy; all these people are in their thirties. And Rosemary Dewitt is excellent as Rachel, although she has terrible voice production on the Special Feature she voice-overs. Never mind. The film itself is vital, natural, commanding. Of course, it’s not for everybody, but then, nothing ever is.
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