(Disclosure: I rented the movie through Netflix.)Rachel's Getting Married (Drama - 2008; rated R; directed by Jonathan Demme; written by Jenny Lumet)
Longstanding family conflicts resurface when drama queen Kym (Anne Hathaway, in her first Oscar-nominated role), a former model who's been in and out of rehab for 10 years, returns to her parents' home just before her sister Rachel's (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding. Debra Winger co-stars as the girls' emotionally distant mother in director Jonathan Demme's critically acclaimed portrait of family angst and unrest. [Summary from Netflix]I have had this movie sitting on the movie basket for months. So long, in fact, that I actually forgot what the movie was about. So, when my husband and I decided to sit down for a long overdue movie night, we popped it in the DVD player and hoped for the best.
If any of you have ever struggled with addiction or had a family member or close friend who has, you know how difficult a process recovery is. Addiction impacts everyone it touches, even those not drinking or using drugs. The scars it leaves are deep. What most impressed me about Rachel's Getting Married is the rawness of the emotions, of the anger and sadness. The actors did an amazing job of portraying a family not only in conflict, but of one dealing with the aftermath of tragedy, and the effort to get on with life. A movie like this can be handled in so many ways, but the writers and director chose to paint a realistic view of a family dealing with the aftermath of live changing crisis. The ending is not tied with a neat little bow.
This week's movie topic is all about babies ...
We ended our weekend celebrating our niece's Christening. She's 3 months old and so sweet, snuggly and smiling. And we get her all to ourselves next Friday - lucky Bumbles that we are. To get us through the week, here are a few movies about babies we could watch - though none could compare to her of course. Share on your blog movies featuring babies, linking back to The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!
Baby Boom (1987)
Willow (1988)
Look Who's Talking (1989)
Undercover Blues (1993)
Babies (2010) ~ Okay, so I haven't actually seen this one yet. But I really want to.
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I have this movie sitting around for the longest time. I really need to get to it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite movies with babies would be Look Who's Talking (the first one) and Baby Boom.
I tend not to watch a lot of movies, but I really like Anne Hathaway and the premise of this one sounds fascinating. Thank you for the great review!
ReplyDeleteGood list.
ReplyDeleteI'd add Raising Arizona to the list of baby movies. It sort of fits - I'm picturing Nic Cage running through the convenience store, guns a blazing, with the Pampers, stopping to pick up the baby in the carrier. Ha!
I watched this one with the family a while ago, and I don't think they really "got" it, but then again I don't think they've had to deal with anything like this in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was wonderfully done. It was realistic and raw and tangibly uncomfortable at times. Makes me love Anne Hathaway all the more.
I watched this one quite awhile ago with a friend, and couldn't get over how painful and raw it was. It was uncomfortable to watch at times, but I do think it was a very moving and interesting movie. I am glad you liked it too!
ReplyDeleteOk, you just sealed your coolness factor by mentioning Baby Boom and Willow in the same list. Both of which are fantastic movies. Three Men and a Baby is good too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of Rachel's Getting Married! A friend wholeheartedly recommended it to me a while ago, but I'd sort of forgotten about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd ahh, Willow and Look Who's Talking :) Both movies I watched a million times as a kid.
This week's movie meme makes me think I haven't seen many baby movies....
ReplyDeleteMine is Here
I want to see Babies too! I think it will be too cute ;) Great list of 'baby' movies.
ReplyDeleteyou have a great list...
ReplyDeleteI've had Rachel Getting Married on my list for so long. I'm looking forward to watching it. I know it will be intense.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I forgot about Willow on my retro 80's baby list! I think I need to see that again.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like something I'd love. I'll rent it this summer when my husband is out fishing. Ths would not be his cup of tea. We are totally different! But, somehow it works!
ReplyDeleteI watched this one last year and really enjoyed it...thought it was well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie review - I had not heard of it before. It would be interesting to see her in that style of role - so different from most everything else I've seen her in.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Undercover Blues either - sounds like a good guilty pleasure for a rainy day.
I haven't seen it for quite some years, but I used to love 3 Men and a Baby. And I second raidergirl3 with Raising Arizona - that movie was great.
ReplyDeleteI really liked "Rachel Getting Married." The whole wedding weekend was a little surreal but you're right, the addiction and effect on the family were so well portrayed.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your wonderful comments!
ReplyDeleteI confess I didn't care for Raising Arizona, which is one of the reasons it didn't make my list. I'm probably the only one on the planet who didn't. LOL
I hope you all have a great weekend!
I had to Google around a bit but I finally found the title. Tsotsi is a South African-set movie that is simply amazing. It's about a boy influenced by gang activity who steals a car...only to find a baby in the backseat. Thought-provoking movie.
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