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| The Anniversary Party |
| Review Posted 4/10/03 |
 Jennifer
Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming co-wrote, co-directed and
co-star in this low-budget indie. They play a recently
uncoupled couple that celebrates their anniversary with
a group of friends. A few cocktails and a load of ecstasy
later, things careen out of control. Dark, sure, but the
cast is the lure, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey
and Kevin Kline. |
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Movie Overview:
Written & directed by
Jennifer Jason Leigh
and Alan Cumming
Run time: 115 min
Rating: R
Cast:
Joe - Alan Cumming
Sally - Jennifer Jason Leigh
Skye - Gwyneth Paltrow
Jerry - John Benjamin Hickey
Gina - Jennifer Beals
Cal - Kevin Kline
Judy - Parker Posey
Jane - Clare Forsyth
Mac - John C. Reilly
Sophia - Phoebe Cates
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Cady's Take: |
 "The
Anniversary Party," written and directed by actors Alan Cumming
and Jennifer Jason Leigh, is a striking triumph--an incisive, thought-provoking
look at the questionable longevity of a marriage following a year-long
separation. This film was shot on a digital camera entirely in a house
overlooking the Los Angeles landscape. Covering the events of a 24-hour
period, the film explores the rocky relationship of a writer and an
actress as they celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary. It’s
been a rough road for the two, now optimistic about the future; they
have invited a collection of friends to help them celebrate.
To gather buddies for a "let's-put-on-a-show" movie could
have led to a self-indulgent disaster. That's not the case here. The
whole cast is terrific, particularly Jane Adams as the high-strung
Clair, Reilly as the good-natured Mac and Kline as the self-centered
Cal. Phoebe Cates also shines as Cal's pragmatic wife. Cumming and
Leigh, two of the most intriguing actors around, match each other
in performances that go from loving to combative with little prompting.
No character seems forced or unnatural; the writers obviously know
their friends and associates well. Leigh and Cumming had said that
they tailored each character to the individual actors who portrayed
them, and the results are fabulous. The cast is a top-notch smorgasbord
of reasonably well-known talent. "The Anniversary Party,"
allows the story and the personalities of its cast and characters,
not its production techniques, tell the story and the result is a
film that transcends its binary foundation. Imagine The Big Chill.
I Loved Jane Adams in this movie, she triumphs in her portrayal of
Clair, a nervous and worried mother. Sitting on the couch with her
bony fingers tapping against her cheeks, she looks like a distressed
anorexic that's swallowed too many cappuccinos. Adams uproariously
delivers her lines with such insane energy that you love and hate
her at the same time.
Although the theme of wealthy people in turmoil is as overused as
a General Hospital episode, The Anniversary Party gives it a fresh
flavor. With its sharp script and all-star cast, the movie manages
to keep you gripped until the end through its maze-like plot and intricate
characters. "The Anniversary Party" has a naturalistic flow
to it that makes it feel less like a fictional motion picture, and
more like a two-hour eavesdrop on the type of party that the rich
and famous might really throw. It's clear that Leigh and Cumming put
their entire heart and soul into the project, as they've not only
crafted a comedic drama of surprising depth, but one of true emotional
maturity.
While the film sometimes gets bogged down in the sort of insubstantial
relationship exchanges that few of us come to the movies to see, it’s
mostly a smart and trenchant meandering through the issues of friends
and lovers. The only real complaint might be that since there are
so many characters, it’s hard to develop them fully within the
timeframe of the movie. Nevertheless, no one’s appearance in
the movie seems to go wasted.
Sally is driven by a combination of jealousy, selfishness, neediness
and fear of aging. And yet, Leigh has never been more beautiful or
sexy as in this movie. Joe doesn't help when he casts a hot young
thing (Paltrow) to play the character based on his wife. Then Joe
invites the younger actress to the couple's party. Tensions between
the two are palpable from the very first shot where the two lovers
lie close, heads together in bed: one is sleeping peacefully, the
other is lying awake. Sally and Joe's climactic canyon scene is a
lid-popping fit of raw meat and gnashing teeth that's been simmering
all evening. In the final act, the emotional truth and the feelings
that are laid bare by the protagonists are powerful and surprising,
catching the audience off guard.
Most of the partygoers' insecurities and ill will stay below the surface
until someone breaks out the ecstasy. In a refreshingly believable
depiction of adult X reverie, people get loose, clothes comes off
and sparks fly. Their subsequent ingestion by everyone who decides
to stay paves the way for the film's second hour. You can’t
help but fall in love with these characters and this movie!
Like the best parties, this one leaves you both worn out and refreshed,
but without the hangover.
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Cady's Rating:
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| Kyle's Take: |
 This
movie was stupid. I cannot believe I have to write an entire review
about it to be honest with you. It starts with a “Big Chill”-ish
get together to celebrate Joe and Sarah’s anniversary (even
though they JUST got back together after being separated.) Joe (Cummings)
and Sarah (Leigh) seem happy to be back together and all their friends
are THRILLED that the two are back to wedded bliss. I, on the other
hand, wish they had gotten a divorce – that way the movie
would never have been made and I would have those 115 minutes of
my life back.
It pains me to give this movie a bad review because
I love almost every single one of the actors in it. Oddly enough,
the only actor in this movie I did not like before I saw it was
Jennifer Jason Leigh – and now I do because I thought she
was terrific here. Weird, I know. Everyone gave great performances
with the material they had, it was simply an unconvincing script.
However it is not an un-rentable movie, and if you like “ensemble
movies” then you will probably like “The Anniversary
Party.”
Joe is a director and Sarah is an actress, the tension
between the two comes from Joe’s new project. He has written
a script where the lead female role is based on his wife –
but he thinks she is too old to play herself. Sarah does not like
this – especially when she finds out he invited the newest
Hollywood ingénue (his choice for Sarah’s role) to
their anniversary party. This is Gwyneth Paltrow as Skye and she
is completely delightful; guileless in her portrayal of the newcomer
awed by the chance to play the role based on her “idol”
Sarah. This kills Sarah (especially because it is obvious that Skye
means it.) The protagonist of the movie is Ecstasy – everyone
takes it and goes crazy. Conflicts arise but are meaningless because
everyone is on Ecstasy! No one will remember what they were mad
about the next day so why should we care tonight?
I LOVE the supporting cast – hello?
John C. Reilly, Parker Posey, Kevin Kline…the list goes on
and on – it’s amazing. There are plenty of funny moments
– enough anyway to keep “The Anniversary Party”
afloat. Unfortunately great actors can only do so much with a lazy
script.
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| Kyle's Rating:
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| OVERALL RATING: 5
/ 10 |
Purchase
This DVD at Amazon.com |
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KEY: |
1 Star - All copies
of this DVD should be immediately destroyed.
2 Stars - Wouldn't
even watch this movie if you were getting paid.
3
Stars - Don't waste your time, there are
much better movies.
4 Stars - Wait
until this one comes out on cable.
5
Stars - Worth a rent if nothing better
is in. Recommended only for fans of the genre.
6
Stars - Entertaining, worth your rental
dollar.
7 Stars - A
solid rental, recommended viewing.
8
Stars - A must-see, everyone should enjoy
this movie.
9 Stars - One
of the best movies of the year. Guaranteed winner.
10
Stars - Don't rent, buy! Add this classic
to your personal collection.
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