Rachel Getting Married [2008] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

Anne Hathaway is terrific as Kym, a recovering drug addict who gets out of rehab to attend her sister's wedding. Rosemarie DeWitt (from tv's Mad Men) is also very good as the sister, Rachel, as is Debra Winger as their mother. The film is a co-mingling of joy and pain as Kym's return home sets off long-standing resentments. The wedding rehearsal, as well as the wedding and reception, is amazing in its being the most non-traditional wedding I've seen--totally eclectic, including the music. It was wonderful to watch--not just another cookie-cutter wedding/keeping up with the Jones's excess, but an exuberant down-home wedding. I think the hand-held camera work was meant to give the audience a feeling of participation; the audience becomes another guest at the wedding. The film was quite sad at times, especially Kym's struggle to forgive herself for past sins; her struggle to confront her sister and her mother--but ultimately it was hopeful because of her courage in facing her demons. A very powerful film.