Movie Reviews for The Anniversary Party

The Anniversary Party

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Movie Reviews of The Anniversary Party

Movie Review: One of my favorites
Summary: 5 Stars

Movie Review: Welcome to the (Sort of) Celebration
Summary: 4 Stars

Writer/director Joe Therrian (Cumming) and actress Sally Nash (Leigh) have prepared a party to celebrate their six years together; not that they have actually been "together" the entire time, but according to the actor/artist math, it's close enough. Close friends and associates have been invited to share whatever this is with them, as well as a couple of neighbors, Monica and Ryan Rose (Mina Badie, Denis O'Hare), who have certain "issues" with Joe and Sally. And, much to the chagrin of the "aging" Sally, whose career seems to be on the wane, Joe has invited the hot young up-and-comer in town, Skye Davidson (Gwyneth Paltrow) to the party. As the evening wears on into the early morning hours, true feelings are gradually revealed amid a game of charades (rather, a "production" of charades; these people are forever "on"), as well as the sharing of a certain "product" given as a present to Joe and Sally by Skye. And so, what began as a celebration, in the cold, hard light of morning just may be remembered as something entirely different. Welcome to the wonderful world of show biz.

The daughter of actor Vic Morrow, Jennifer Jason Leigh was born into the business, so to speak; Alan Cumming, on the other hand will have to come up with his own excuse. But they have collaborated (perhaps "conspired" would be more accurate) to bring to the screen an interesting, thought provoking story that for all intents and purposes seems, at least, as if it could be a composite of actual experiences and people they have known. Which means they've succeeded in delivering a film that has the decided flavor of reality about it, and for the most part it's extremely engaging, and often riveting drama. it may be a film that many will have trouble connecting with, though, if only because it is bound to fall outside the realm of personal experience for them. Most of the issues in this story are simply unfamiliar territory to the greater part of the world's population, with the exception of those dealing with the more universal themes, like the appreciation of a child's song, or the irritation of the perpetual barking of a neighbor's dog.

What really sells the project, though, and maintains interest, is the excellent ensemble cast the filmmakers have assembled here, portraying an inordinate number of characters driven by look-at-me! egos, yet each presented within their own unique perspectives and contexts. At the center of the fray, of course, is Cumming and Leigh, each of whom do a solid job of anchoring the myriad situations and scenarios generated through, by and around them. Leigh successfully conveys a sense of insecurity consistent with Sally's current status, and Cumming does a good job of making Joe quite unlikable, affecting as he does the look, attitude and personality born of an overblown and bloated ego. it's a portrayal that effectively points up the absolute boorishness that can be found within this community.

Paltrow, meanwhile, perfectly captures the essence of the shallow and relatively clueless ingenue, the vast majority of whom become a flavor of the week before disappearing into the obscurity of Hollywood's human "outbox." While Phoebe Cates, as former actress Sophia Gold, represents the opposite end of the spectrum, a young woman perfectly content with her current role of wife and mother. And Kevin Kline is convincing as her husband, actor Cal Gold, who though successful is still visited with insecurities and doubt; and his performance is one of the highlights of the film.

Also turning in performances that stand out from the rest are Mina Badie (Leigh's real life half-sister) as the neighbor who comes to the party offering conciliatory overtures toward a more "neighborly" relationship; John C. Reilly, as Mac Forsyth, a veteran director struggling with his latest project (the star of which just happens to be Sally Nash); and Peter Sellers look alike Michael Panes, as Sally's talented friend, Levi.

Rounding out the exceptional cast are Jane Adams (Clair), John Benjamin Hickey (Jerry), Parker Posey (Judy), Jennifer Beals (Gina), Matt Malloy (Sanford) and Owen Kline and Greta Kline (Kevin and Phoebe's real life children, as Jack and Evie Gold). A film that is more interesting than entertaining, "The Anniversary Party" nevertheless offers the viewer a chance to vicariously explore and experience Tinsel Town from the dark side of the curtain; some will find it exciting, while others will deem it decidedly unglamorous. Either way, Cumming and Leigh are to be commended for making it "real." It's the magic of the movies.

Movie Review: I liked it
Summary: 4 Stars

Unlike most people, I do see a plot here. The story is about Sally and Joe's marriage, and whether it can survive. It's apparent from the beginning that whatever they may think, the marriage isn't likely to last. For one thing, Joe isn't really committed--he's distracted by anyone "intoxicating" or new who floats by. And Sally knows she is on shaky ground, an "aging" actress in a town full of young ones. I felt for her, though I'm no actress. My connection to her character is what made the movie work for me.

The view into Hollywood was revealing: All the women are in some kind of pain, while the men, whether nasty or nice, are happy with themselves. Sad but not surprising.

Other situations I felt were universal. Who *hasn't* known someone married to the wrong person, trying to make it work? Willing to save the marriage with a baby, if that's what it takes, even if the partner isn't good father/mother material? Or a self-punishing working mother, or a full time mom who doesn't enjoy it as much as she pretends, or makes it too much of an identity? Who can't imagine being on either side of the neighbor/dog issue? Or hitting a career slump?

I admit it's a bit more fun to see these life issues wrapped up with a bit of Hollywood glamour: a lovely home, famous artist friends, with movie stardom and Oscars part of the background.

The movie has a fairly interesting commentary on drug use and addiction running through it as well. Of course there is the obvious issue of the Ecstacy use at the party.

Pay close attention, however, and the issue is everywhere: The neighbor is a recovering alcoholic (who relapses at the party); starlet Skye, despite her youth, has been in rehab twice. Sally has made a drug addict movie "so real" they won't show it in rehab. Sally and Joe's relationship is almost destroyed by the truths (and behaviors) that emerge while they are high. Joe's sister is a hopeless addict, and the resolution of the story (saving the marriage AND showing the destructiveness of drugs) is brought about through her fate.

Yet there is ambivalence about drugs as well: One character, the business manager, becomes nice only once he is high. The guilt ridden mother, Claire, manages to relax and forget her problems (a little too much so, in fact). The uptight, recovering-alcoholic neighbor was much nicer before he quit. For Mina Badie's character, it is an experiment with a new life. Even Sophia, the earth mother, has no problem taking the drug.

I disagreed strongly with the reviewers who said that Jennifer Beals emerged as the only likeable or sincere character in the movie. Her motives for being at the party seemed least sincere, like she was always waiting for a chance to nudge Sally out(another familiar life situation). She was clearly the rival--or one of them, Skye Masterson and Joe's male ex-lover being the others.

I liked Sophia (Cates) and Paynes the best of Sally's friends. Perhaps Cates' scene with JJL was a little scenery chewing--plenty of people have said so, anyway. However, I could easily believe that a woman with "no regrets" about selflessly ending her career could be, deep down, really unhappy. And however much you may love your children, you may want to escape them sometimes. But if you love them, you can't: "Kids just rob you of that option." Of course, it might be simpler if she just let herself go back to acting, instead of "giving it all up" and being deeply unhappy.

I also liked the little romance that emerges between Paynes and Skye (even though she can only communicate in terms of roles she's played).

Criticisms I had were that it was hard to accept Sally & Joe as a couple. A little backstory about them and their relationship would have been appreciated. Also, I felt the kiss that happens between him and the neighbor was a little contrived. It was only there so Sally could interrupt it, triggering a quarrel. But clearly this moment was meant to happen with the Beals character. Sally's tension over her from the beginning would have made it a more logical choice.

Also, the first hour is a little slow. The scene where each guest gives a small performance/speech in honor of the couple could have been cut, or at least reduced to a montage, without losing anything. It was even a little embarassing, since we have no sense of Sally & Joe as this great couple with a wonderful history, who we are happy to see back together. Ir's like sitting through a party where everyone is toasting someone you don't really like, and you have to pretend you like them, too.

My final criticism was the nudity: gratuitous and humiliating. Maybe the actresses agreed and thought it was "arty", but it was humiliating in the sense of robbing them so casually of their privacy; and by extension (since there is no male nudity) robbing the women of the audience, as well. I am really tired of seeing women's bodies reduced to objects of voyeurism, and this gratuitously contributed to the problem.

Other than that, I liked it, even the scene at the end where they are signing their taxes, because that, too, said something about marriage, that it is built on little and big things, like being there for each other when tragedy strikes, and taking care of everyday life (like taxes) as well.

Movie Review: Watch it a few more times with the commentary
Summary: 4 Stars

Actually, I see so few movies that John C. Reilly and Kevin Kline were the only male actors I recognized immediately, expecting them to look as familiar as their names. The Peter Sellers look-alike was outstanding in whatever role he managed to adapt to in the film. So great, it is almost as if the writers realized that they knew someone who could do Peter Sellers so well that they could make a movie that could have been a Peter Sellers movie back in his day. Kevin Kline was reciting from the end of the poem "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold instead of doing an original toast, but he was old enough to seem like a relic compared to the rest of the cast, and that poem is top-notch relic material.

The women in this film are so wonderful that most of my life, I was hardly aware such women existed. Parker Posey was the one I have seen most often. The cast information on the DVD listed movies that were worth checking for the years in which these actresses played high school girls in their previous movies. The tension between these women, now that they are old enough to really want something or someone of their own, gets worked over in a number of different ways. After watching the movie a few times, my favorite moment was when they left the front door open and Gwyneth Paltrow walked in. I have no idea why I have not been going to all her movies. Pretty soon she has to apologize for gushing. Just watching her, I feel the same way.

Movie Review: They're in on the joke folks...
Summary: 4 Stars

Yes, they do. Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming have written and directed an excellent take on the Hollywood lifestyle and skewer it magically in the process. They're in on the joke. I agree with the other reviewer that compared "Anniversary Party" to "Don's Party." Alcohol sends that early 80s (?) Australian effort off in an unforeseen direction; Ecstasy does the job here. Kudos to whoever chose the music to accompany the pool scene after the Ecstasy takes hold. It captures the mood perfectly.

Two favorite scenes (both involve Kevin Kline - excellent in this close to real-life role with real wife Phoebe Cates & their two young children):

a. The 'tribute' dance that he and his daughter perform in honor of "Joe and Sally" is simply magical. [You'll get a kick out of his faux hogging of the limelight after the performance].

b. Kline again - waltes into the kitchen to thank the chef (named 'America') with an off-the-cuff, under-the-breath ditty to the tune of 'America the Beautiful' that goes something like..."America, America, the food was so yum-my; I'm looking for a dish or bowl, to hold the Ec-stasy."

Definitely worth a rental (and don't be frightened by this digital video talk; the film looks not at all grainy...it's as creamy as anything else you'll rent these days).