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RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin and Debra Winger

Directed by: Jonathan Demme

R for language and brief sexuality

By John Delia

Jonathan Demme takes a long look at a dysfunctional situation and slowly spools it out for all to see. That is my take on Rachel Getting Married, a movie with powerful acting that should garner attention for a major award. The film however, is solely a film buff’s delight and not for the mainstream moviegoer; unless you like your movies with a lot of family drama.
The movie centers on Kym (Hathaway), the sister of the bride to be Rachel (DeWitt), who by chance has been released from rehab where she has been incarcerated for drug abuse. Returning home Kym jumps into the frail, letting her sister know that she is there for her in spite of the problems she has had. The family is leery of Kym’s intentions and makes little attempt to make her fell wanted. In the meantime, although Kym has tried to nose in on the procedures, Rachel goes through all the motions of finishing plans including fitting the dresses as if Kym were not a problem. When Kym starts loosing her ability to cope, the family waits for the bomb to drop.
The acting in the film is some of the best I’ve seen in a drama this year. Hathaway’s performance is outstanding as the on the edge Kym, exuding a feeling of unease every time she gets brazen with someone or deliberately tries to take over a conversation. Her intensity is shown when she confronts her mother (Winger) about a tragedy that she could have avoided. From delightful to devilish, Hathaway’s performance is amazing and right on the money.
In support DeWitt, as Rachel, does a superb job of holding back while her sister tries to tear her most important day apart. When push comes to shove however, Rachel lets her sister know where she stands. The film would not have worked, however if it weren’t for the wonderful sets, the supporting cast and the great house for the wedding.
On the downside, some of the cinematography from the hand held home camera is to often and bothersome. In addition, the constant band music tended to make me wary and unsettled. Although Demme seemed to want us to see a complete wedding, he could have held back on the length of time it too to go through the pre wedding party. On a good note, however, the scene at the beauty parlor was brilliant.
The film contains language and brief sexuality. It is best seen with a group of friends, mainly female.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Rachel Getting Married should play well to females and film buffs. ( 2 ½ of 5 stars)

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón
Renown in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running film festival, the 23rd edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks off October 15th and closes, one month later, on November 14th. Each year, this South Florida based film fest offers cinematic treasures that film lovers may or may not discover again on the “big screen”. Such a film to treasure, COYOTE, officially opens this festival, followed by a triumphant gala to finish the evening.

OPENING NIGHT FILM REVIEW:

COYOTE
Genre: Action /Thriller/Comedy
Running Time: 95 min
Language: English & Spanish w/ English sub-titles

The crime thriller, “Coyote” opens with intensity, and maintains a steady, suspenseful pace and farcical comedic tone throughout the film until its startling climatic ending. You can count on this film to keep you thoroughly entertained while taking you to the edge, and very nearly put its controversial immigrant issue out of your mind.

31 year-old Steve (BRIAN PETERSON) newly retired after selling his tech business, is bored. “I do nothing, now I feel it!” Meanwhile, his fiancée Katie (CARLEY ADAMS) prepares for their wedding, and his best friend/best man, Jay (BRETT SPACKMAN) toils as a vending machine re-stocker.

When Katie’s housekeeper’s son, Pablo, who has been living in the U.S. since he was five years old, gets deported after a traffic stop, Jay proposes to drive to Mexico and bring him back. Since Steve is Anglo, and he’s Mexican-American, Jay presumes they would be above suspicion while smuggling a hidden Pablo back across the border. Steve is attracted to Jay’s plan, both as a possible business opportunity and a high risk adventure.

While spending an enjoyable night over in Mexico with Pablo’s extended family, Jay finds his fluency in Spanish useful as he romantically pursues Mariana (MARIANE VALLE). The next morning, Steve and Jay successfully transport Pablo across the U.S. border and back into Nogales, Arizona for a celebratory barbeque and pool party.

Entrepreneurial Steve, with the belief providing safe passage across the border is an honorable service, proceeds to start this new business venture without regard of the illegality or danger. Together with Jay, he conducts further research on the best points of border entry and best operating techniques to fashion a “kinder, gentler people-smuggling business” with upgraded travel amenities for desert crossings.

Soon, Steve becomes more consumed with his people-smuggling business, than his wedding preparations, that he feels compelled to involve Katie in their profitable criminal operation as does Jay with Mariana.

Flush with easy money and success, Steve and Jay expand their venture, complete with a sales brochure touting tiered service levels. They never, however, consider the consequences of competing against unprincipled “Coyotes” or how long they could stay undetected by the U.S. border patrol or the possible harm that could come to their loved ones.

Filmmakers and production partners, Brian Peterson and Brett Spackman, skillfully play double duty assuming the lead roles, and are aptly supported by their co-stars, Carley Adams and Marina Valle.

Original script co-written by Brian Peterson and Brett Spackman, directed by Brian Peterson, cinematography by Robb Hanks, produced by Brett Spackman. A Side Street Production.

Screens on Friday, October 17th, 7:45pm at the Miniaci Theatre for the Performing Arts
HYPERLINK "http://themexicandream.com/coyote-trailer-1/"View Trailer for COYOTE

HYPERLINK "http://www.FLIFF.com" www.FLIFF.com