Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Rachel Getting Married. I saw this at the cinema when it came out and fell in love. Never before had I seen Anne Hathaway so good, and yet she wasn't the reason I liked it, I liked it because it felt like the type of wedding that I would love to have, one filled with joy, music, colours and fun, with family there and friends who know me well enough to know what I will like. The film managed to convey all of this, this joy, with a hard line in family problems and heartache without ever seeming cliched or tired. I enjoyed it so much that I was scared to watch it again, in case the second time the film did feel cliched, old or dull. So it has been 3-4 years and finally, finally I set about watching it again. I was not disappointed.

Kym (Hathaway) is released from her latest stint in rehab to go to her sister Rachel's wedding. She must attend NA meetings for her problem and is going through the steps whilst at the wedding. Her father and step-mum are looking out for her and keeping an eye on her to make sure she's okay, her mum and step-dad are less available. Her sister's friend and maid of honour isn't Kym's biggest fan, and her sister is still holding a grudge from past and current events. It's hard to flesh out the story to anything more than that without giving away a couple of plot points. But essentially the film doesn't have a complete linear story arc as such, it's a snapshot of an event where the characters play out.

The best thing about this film was just how real it felt. The people in this film look like real people, they don't look like movie stars. The camera is handheld throughout giving a sense of reality. The events that occur, whilst never mirroring my life exactly evoked similar events or themes in my life, the father/son in law dishawasher packing argument being one that really made me smile as my dad is often very proud of his ability to load a dishwasher correctly. It's the little things like that which really make the film feel honest and true.

There is always the danger with films focussing on drug addicts and family life that it will descend into a tale that we've seen all too many times before, but this doesn't. It's a family unit trying to achieve normality but knowing it never will, there are all the neuroses that real families have and all of the love and joy that they share too. Then there's the actual wedding, which as I stated earlier, is perfect. Held in their back garden in a tent it's a joyus affair with dancing, interesting music, and it looks like a real treat to film and be a part of, even if it is all make believe.

In short this film is a modern classic in my eyes, I don't think everyone shares that opinion, but the feelings it evoked in me, both times, were real and true and I honestly don't think Anne Hathaway has yet been better. A real treat that will hopefully appeal across the board for those looking for a 'different' take on the wedding tale.