The Anniversary Party
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Movie Reviews of The Anniversary Party
Movie Review: Unexpected revelations
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of those movies that one does not find many reviews on and it grabs attention on the shelf by the fact that it is pacted with well known Hollywood names. As you watch this movie keep in mind the following: this is a plot about artsy types in Hollywood - if you expect performing aspects of their talent, they are something, but as human beings they are nothing. And to me, that was the entire conflict of this movie - how can people this talented be so shallow? Example is Gwyneth Paltrow's character about up and coming Hollywood actress who is disliked by almost every woman in this bunch by the virtue of being young and pretty - she needs no other faults. As men drool over her youth and unrestrained freedom that sometime bordelines with tactlessness, women seem to loath her. How childlish one would think -- but Hollywood insecurities have no limits, right?
If you are looking for strong character presentation, you will find in in Jennifer Beals' character - unpretentious and sincere. However even her human approach to the situations these people face is turned back because "she is not the wife". For the goofball of them all, you will not be disappointed in John C. Reilly's performance. It is a treat to also see real life husband and wife Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates mingle with this bunch with their down to earth approachability - totally unpretentious despite of the fact that Kline is quoting Shakespeare.
While movie sometimes seems to drag indefinitely with self indulgent self confessions, it is one of those rare moments that one can stop and self reflect on one's own: life, mate, friends, marriage and a whole lot of other things.
Movie Review: Whose afraid of Don's Party?
Summary: 3 Stars
Let's get this out of the way first. EVERY film ever made is a "vanity project". Using that tired phrase is a cop-out for lazy reviewers. The entire craft of filmmaking is based on "Look at me/us, aren't I/we wonderful?" whether you are an actor OR director, so let's not overstate the obvious. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming's One Night In The Life of a writer-director/actress couple celebrating thier anniversary with a dozen of thier "closest" show-biz friends is quite entertaining. Very similar in tone to the obscure 80's Austrailian film "Don's Party", the main difference being the Truth Drug of choice...at Don's party, it was that good ol' standby-liquor...in this case, it's the eagerly gobbled "ecstasy" tablets that bring out the inevitable sniping and backbiting amongst the "friends" by party's end. The film has a loose, improvised Cassavettes vibe that may turn off viewers with short attention spans. Good ensemble work (for the most part) from the likes of John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Beals and Parker Posey keep things perking. Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates (and thier real life kids) are standouts, although they are basically playing themselves! The Peter Sellers look-a-like gag is a hoot for cinema buffs. The film is ultimately marred by over-length and one too many anti-climaxes,but Leigh and Cumming should at least be applauded for taking a risk outside the usual Hollywood cookie-cutter frame.Movie Review: An inside look at Hollywood...
Summary: 3 Stars
Yes, yet another of my favorite actors, Alan Cumming of the stage, Cabaret, Noel Coward's Design for Living, and several movies, co-wrote and co-starred in The Anniversary Party with Jennifer Jason Leigh. The premise: a recently reconciled Hollywood couple throws an anniversary party and invites all of their quirky celebrity friends. The plot is not terribly appealing and is structured similar to a play, being immobile with setting. The writing is quite good, but the characters are not easily relatable, and not as funny as it seems they were intended to be. The cast is excellent though. Cumming, Leigh, John C. Riley, Parker Posey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates, and some other lesser known actors and actresses contribute to making this film intriguing, in spite of the lack of action or movement in plot. It is an admirable accomplishment for the team of writers, and I loved seeing Alan Cumming perform so brilliantly, especially in his own work, but I can't say I took too much out of the movie. It had its moments, but the humor was dry and limited, and nothing about the movie, other than some of the writing and its actors, really grabbed me.Movie Review: A Peek Into Hollywood Lives
Summary: 3 Stars
The party assembles a mixed group of mixed-up people to celebrate an anniversary of a troubled marriage.
Their self-congratulatory behavior deteriorates as drink and drugs blur their thinking and undermine their judgement. It put my husband to sleep, but I kept watching to the end. I am still trying to think of some purpose for this film.
Some of the other reviews tout it as an actor's training tool. I'd hate for future actors to think this was the way they should conduct their lives. Rather a sad movie in which sad, but glittery people's lives spin out of control.
If this movie is a fair representation of how Hollywood types (writers, actors, directors) interact and think, then it is no wonder some of the movies today are such a mess.
Movie Review: A Peek into Hollywood Lives
Summary: 3 Stars
The party assembles a mixed group of mixed-up people to celebrate an anniversary of a troubled marriage.
Their self-congratulatory behavior deteriorates as drink and drugs blur their thinking and undermine their judgement. It put my husband to sleep, but I kept watching to the end. I am still trying to think of some purpose for this film.
Some of the other reviews tout it as an actor's training tool. I'd hate for future actors to think this was the way they should conduct their lives. Rather a sad movie in which sad, but glittery people's lives spin out of control.
If this movie is a fair representation of how Hollywood types (writers, actors, directors) interact and think, then it is no wonder some of the movies today are such a mess.