Rating: 
Summary: Started out slow, but then I was sucked in!!
Review: I saw this movie today and i thought it was great. It had all of my favorite people... most old, and some new! I love Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates, also their kids in real life, Greta and Owen Kline.. Jane Adams was great as a neurotic, pessimistic mother, who let loose later on. (You may remember her as Joy Jones in Happiness) John C. Reilly is always awesome! Not only does the Peter Sellers lookalike look like him, but he does a great impression as well. Supposedly, this movie is like a BiG Chill for the 2000's (which I never saw, but should) with a lot of great moments, comic and serious. It was a typical party with swimming, charades, and neighbors that hate your dog. Normally, i think Gwyneth Paltrow is a tiny bit overrated, but it's cool when she does projects like this. ...So, like i mentioned, it started out a little slow with the jokes only a little funny and some awkward, but by the end I was engrossed---I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best of the year, so far.
Review: Starring, co-written, and co-directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Although Jennifer has a tendency in the past decade to consistently pick dark subject matter, I am pleased to see that she has grabbed a-hold of some power in the independent film world. This is one of those small budget films that is almost entirely shot in one solitary location, which means that it's merit stands upon it's character development and dialogue. And to my surprise this film is about an appetizer and drinks evening of close friends party - booze, appetizers, charades, swimming, etc. etc. Some of the most enjoyable dialogue is because it seems to have an unedited genuiness. It is nice to see certain familiar acting faces - Jennifer Beals (forever remembered in FLASHDANCE), Phoebe Cates (her only memorable film being FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGHT) acting opposite her real-life husband Kevin Kline, and big Oscar winning star Gwenyth Paltrow making a supportive appearance (good for her, quality over big budget.)
Rating: 
Summary: Digital Revolution
Review: Anniversary Part is written and directed by both Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh. This movie looks at 24 hours in the life of a couple (Cumming, Leigh) who have been separated for a year, but come back together in time for their Sixth Anniversary Party which goes awry when one of the gifts leads the party guests to an adult-oriented version of "Truth and Dare"... In addition to Leigh and Cummings whom also star, the cast includes Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey and John C. Reilly. One of the interesting notes about the film is that it is filmed in digital video. For those who wants to see a strong cast in a different kind of filmmaking.
Rating: 
Summary: does anybody know?
Review: Does anybody know the soundtrack well enough to say who does the song at the outset of the ecstasy party - sung in a foreign language, with rather an operatic sound? Many thanks if you can help with any info.
Rating:
Summary: Did you like Larry Sanders? Curb Your Enthusiasm...?
Review: If you like those two tv shows then you will probably like this movie. The film shares a lot of the same sensibilities (comedic and otherwise) of the above mentioned shows. The plot, simply, is that Jennifer Jason Leigh's character (Sally) and Alan Cummings character (Joe), having just recently reconciled an extended separation, throw themselves a sixth anniversary party, to which they invite many of their Hollywood insider type friends.
This movie, to me, is the difinition of comedy/drama. It succeeds well with both, but the drama, espoecially towards the end, certainly overshadows the comedy (not that this is a bad thing,) During the evening their will be terrible secrets revealed, tears shed, skinny dips, dolphins, and emotions absolutely laid bare. The emotion is so raw and.. real, that you may well be transfixed by how human these fictional characters seem. The overwhelming impression I got from the film is that while we as a culture tend to deify celebrities, their lives can be just as emotionally destroyed as everyone else's. My buddy could seriously relate to one screaming match that went down between Joe and Sally towards the end.
But, again, this is a comedy/drama, and their are some pretty good laughs in the flick as well.
Furthermore, I certainly agree with one of the above reviewers that the scene where Kevin Kline and his real life daughter share a dance is absolutely stunning. I was moved to tears. Excellent film if your into this kindof thing.
Rating:
Summary: A Peek Into Hollywood Lives
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Photos, Dr. X, the dog Otis, Novelist, Actors, a pool.....
Review: This is a fun, wild and well done look at an ensemble of friends and neighbors, Hollywood folks/artists as they gather at The Anniversary Party of actress Sally (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and novelist/first-time director Joe (Alan Cumming).
I enjoyed the writing and varied make up of the ensemble. Kevin Kline, his wife Pheobe Cates and their two kids play themselves, save for names. Kline's dance with his daughter, during the scene where the guests offer toasts or perform for the couple, was great. One of the best scenes. John C. Reilly and Jane Adams play a couple too, she a neurotic mother, he a director-possibly in too deep. John Benjamin Hickey plays Sally's manager and is terrific, intensely competetive and funny, mixed with his nutty wife Parker Posey. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Beals, Mina Badie, Michael Panes and Denis O'Hare round out the ensemble, to interesting, fun, deep and painful levels.
Perhaps the oddest factor was the believability of Joe being married to Sally. Thankfully Cumming and Leigh deal with Cumming's homosexual history, when his old boyfriend toasts the couple. But their marriage is very much the subject, as are the relationships of the rest of the ensemble, and though some clearly are in good shape, while others are mystifying, such an investigation of marriage and love and Hollywood/artists make this a worthwhile film.
Rating: 
Summary: Director Jennifer Jason and Alan Cummings flop
Review: The anniversary party by first time directors Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh is attempt to create an intellectual and emotional film about an engaged couple with marital
problems who have a party with friends and neighbors to come to grips with their lives. Well at least that's what the script says. But in reality "The Anniversary Party" is a weak, predictable, typical yuppie film filled with predictable storylines and outcomes, and filled with horrible characters that you don't really care to know about from beginning to end. With the exception of Jennifer Jason Leigh as Sally Nash (She's excellent in the film) all the other actors and characters in the film are terrible and pathetic, with Gwenyth Paltrow leading the way Skye Davidson. Even myself, who has no directing experience could have directed and made a better film. One of the reasons the film is so badly made is because it's a Hollywood film made by Hollywood people, so the film's director lack both the emotional and mature insight to create real and loving characters.
Alan Cumming plays Joe Therrian while Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Sally Nash , 1 couple living in an highly rich area of Los Angeles, however, both characters or should one character is destroying the relationship with one another, even though
the couple wants to get engaged.
Joe Therrian is basically a womanizing, airhead, conceded, and stupid sexist pig, who has cheated on Sally Nash before. He has asked Sally to take him back and Sally being very weak (that's her only flaw in the film, but she is real and lovable) takes him back. Joe is also supposed to be a noted film director and authoralthough John C. Reilly.... Mac Forsyth ugh he hasn't really done anything special. Sally Nash (Leigh) is an actress in her mid 40's who is contemplating, removing Joe from her life, or to stay with this pitiful guy and try to gain some sort of relationship. She is even thinking of having a baby with this jerk which is totally ridiculous, because Joe throughout the film literally makes an ass of himself time and time again.
Sally is currently hoping to be a film with one of Joe's friends Mac Forsyth (John Reilly). But unbeknowst to Sally that Mac (also being an idiot) is talking behind Sally's back and telling her friends that she no acting skills. Eventually, Joe and Sally have an Annivesary Party, and we meet even more pathetic and disgusting characters to feast on eyes on.
There's Gwenyth Paltrow playing Skye Davidson, an airhead actress who wants to get to close to Joe to further her career (She'll sleep her way to the top I guess). Then there's Jennifer Beals (who hasn't done anything special since Flashdance) as Gina Taylor a successful artist who also wants to sleep with Joe (and Joe knows it, even going as far as flirting with Gina right in front of Sally).Then there's Kevin Kline as Cal Gold and Phoebe Cates as Sophia Gold, Sally's supposed friends, even Cal with Mac is talking behind Sally's back like a damn coward (Great job by Kline playing the coward).
I could go on and on about the guests, but I think you get the point that none of the "guests" are worth giving a damn about, letting alone talking about.
The conflict (and the action finally comes) when Sally catches Joe in a comprising position and she starts to tackle the decision of whether to dump this piece of garbage or to keep this piece of garbage. However, by the end of the film, Sally as I said she is weak, doesn't really doesn't do what I thought a 100% feminine woman would do, and the movie delivers a pathetic ending that I could I see a mile away.
There is a DVD with a bunch of features for the film, but with the film so badly done and directed, I'am not even going to bother discussing them.
All I can say is that Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cummings or should I say Jennifer Jason Leigh (The film has a woman's touch while Cumming's influence is nonexistent) has a lot of learning to do to become a serious director.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of Name actors. Lame plot
Review: This movie wastes alot of talented actors. Jennifer Jason Leigh drags the movie down just like her character does in the story line. The scene of all these lame brain Hollywood types on Estacy is just sad. Too much drama and BS.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Rental
Review: I enjoyed this immensely. While not famous, self-involved actors, I could picture my friends all gathered at a party and tossing all our traumas and dramas together all at once.
With that said, many things in this movie could make it not for everyone, but if you love movies that are character-driven, succinct in action, no body count, introspective, and with an ambiguous 'life goes on' ending, you'll love this movie.
I do have to say. I don't like any of the characters. I never thought I could still like a movie if that were the case! You will literally cringe from some of the things they do or say. Oh, the neighbor guy! And the scene where they all play a game is the most truly telling situation of the movie where at least one character shows his true colors... wow.
The performances are spectacularly real and honest. Jennifer Beals! Whodda thunk it! She's great. And who doesn't truly worship Parker Posey! I never had a doubt that Jennifer Jason Leigh is one of the most talented actors I've ever seen, but this movie really proves it. She's different than you've ever seen her before.
|
