VIFF 2008 Review: Rachel Getting Married

A magnificently acted film, Jonathan Demme's latest directorial work is both original and exceptional (he also directed Silence of the Lambs). The film possesses many layers and themes, but there are two that are worth mentioning in this short review.

First, there's Kym. Played by Anne Hathaway, Kym's a woman freshly released from rehab on a crash course to join her family for the wedding of her sister Rachel. It's is definitely one of the more complex roles Hathaway has undertaken in her career, pretty much as distant as you can be from her Princess Diaries/Devil Wears Prada characters. Kym's idiosyncrasies emulate the most Paparazzi-ed of dysfunctional celebrities: a little bit of Britney thrown in with a side of Lindsay for good measure. And it all seems very natural and entirely believable. With some fantastic monologues, she easily steals much of the thunder from her father, played by Bill Irwin, and the bride herself (Rosemarie DeWitt), although their performances are both spectacular in their own right.

Then there's the wedding itself. An interracial hodgepodge of music, cultures, clothing, and did I mention music? Definitely, a very out-of-the-norm wedding, for a very out-of-the-norm movie. It's difficult at times to determine whether or not the film focuses on the Kym, or the wedding itself. It's as much a study on the main character as it is on her unnatural setting smack dab in the middle of a multicultural hootenanny. At times, they go hand in hand, but other times, it doesn't really. But maybe that was the effect.

In an environment that seems to be the most tolerant and welcoming of celebrations, Kym still struggles and fights for acceptance for her tumultuous past. There is resolution in the end, but, much like reality, the movie doesn't neatly tie up all the loose ends. This definitely helps in making this movie gritty and thus appealing.

It's honestly, in my opinion, one of Anne Hathaway's greatest roles and I wouldn't be surprised if she's nominated for an Oscar.

Rachel Getting Married plays two more times during the VIFF:
Wed, Oct 8th 1:30pm Empire Granville 7 Th 3
Thu, Oct 9th 7:00pm Ridge Theatre

Image courtesy of the VIFF Photo Library.