Rachel Getting Married DVD Review

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Jonathan Demme directed the March 10th DVD release of Rachel Getting Married starring Anne Hathaway. This film is the story about a young woman, Kim (Hathaway), who has just left rehab and returned to her dysfunctional family in time for her sister Rachel’s (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding.

The turmoil and challenges build as Kim has a hard time letting her sister have the spotlight. Kim is troubled by her own history of drug use and the accidental death of her younger brother Ethan at her hand. Ethan drowned after a car accident, and Kim was driving while high on drugs. Kim cannot move on with her life. As she works to deal with her own existence, her family begins to find it ever harder to do so.

The plot of the film takes a little time in developing. You must be patient as there are some early scenes, including the rehearsal dinner, that play on a bit longer than might be necessary. There is a powerfully moving message to be had through the development of Rachel Getting Married, though. Just be patient enough to let it come about.

Rachel Getting Married is full of emotionally difficult topics and themes. Although it does drag a bit initially, the climax of the film does come to play a little over halfway through. This is a compelling movie in that it explores the difficulty of family’s that struggle with members who have troubled pasts and emotional burdens. The movie portrays these issues from both perspectives -that of the afflicted and that of the family members involved. A nice movie for those that can stick with it.

Grade: B-

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mather Zickel, Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, Anisa George, Debra Winger, Jerome La Page
Director: Jonathan Demme

Reviewed by Neil